He believes one of the defining challenges of modern CISOs is being accountable without necessarily having authority.
Security leaders must influence executives, business leaders and employees rather than simply direct them, making resilience and communication every bit as important as technical expertise.
Ultimately, however, he hopes viewers remember one central message.
“ We carry the burden of knowing things we often can’ t talk about,” he said.
Unlike many other professions, Sapp believes CISOs rarely have the opportunity to process the trauma associated with major incidents.
“ When people experience trauma in other walks of life, they have therapists, counsellors or support groups. Security leaders rarely have that. We didn’ t have anyone to talk to.”
“ Transparency builds resilience.”
Looking back on his involvement in the docuseries, Sapp recalled that his first meeting with Lewan happened entirely by chance after the pair literally bumped into one another in a hotel.
What persuaded him to participate was the opportunity to finally discuss experiences that had remained largely unspoken throughout his career.
We carry the burden of knowing things we often can’ t talk about.
He stressed that none of the contributors wanted to embarrass former employers or reveal confidential information.
Instead, they wanted to explain what they had experienced, what they had learned and how those experiences had shaped them so that future security leaders would not have to repeat the same mistakes.
“ History doesn’ t have to repeat itself,” Sapp said.“ We can’ t afford for it to.”
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