Risk, Power, and Influence: What It Really Takes to Lead in Cyber

Why It Matters

Because security leaders who translate risk into business value stay relevant, enabling organizations to innovate safely while avoiding costly breaches and regulatory penalties.

Key Takeaways

• Adapt language to match each organization’s risk appetite
• Influence requires aligning security goals with business outcomes
• Compliance alone doesn’t guarantee true security in fast‑moving tech
• Military‑brat upbringing builds emotional intelligence for stakeholder persuasion
• Future security must act as agile partner, not gatekeeper

Summary

The Two Cyber Chicks episode spotlights senior cyber leader Tasha Denos, whose career spans the Pentagon, Secret Service, Capital One, Google and Meta. The conversation centers on what it truly takes to lead in cyber: mastering risk governance, influencing diverse stakeholders, and building a sustainable career that balances technical rigor with business acumen.

Denos emphasizes that influence hinges on speaking the language of the audience. In government and fintech, she frames security as compliance and governance; in big‑tech, she pivots to “launch faster while staying compliant,” aligning security with revenue‑driving objectives. She warns that compliance check‑boxes alone do not equal security, especially when emerging technologies outpace regulatory standards.

Personal anecdotes illustrate her philosophy. A childhood lesson from her father—“you’re the only you in the room”—instilled confidence, while her military‑brat upbringing honed emotional intelligence and adaptability, essential for navigating cross‑functional dynamics. She recounts re‑tooling her pitch for a Meta product team, shifting from risk‑aversion rhetoric to a value‑focused narrative that resonated with engineers and executives alike.

The takeaway for leaders is clear: security must evolve from a gate‑keeping function to an agile, strategic partner that speaks business outcomes. By aligning risk appetite with measurable impact, organizations can protect assets without stifling innovation, ensuring cyber resilience remains a competitive advantage.

Original Description

In this episode of 2 Cyber Chicks, Jax sits down with Tashya Denose, a senior cybersecurity leader, bestselling author, podcaster, and board member of Black Girls in Cyber.

Tashya has built her career securing some of the most complex environments, from the Pentagon and the U.S. Secret Service to Capital One, Google, and now Meta, where she works at the intersection of risk, governance, and emerging technology.

In this candid conversation, we explore:

- Why compliance doesn’t always equal security

- How leaders should think about risk across government, finance, and Big Tech

- What it takes to influence decisions when security isn’t the loudest voice

- The human cost of burnout—and how to build a sustainable career in cyber

- Why belonging and community directly impact security outcomes

This episode is a must-listen for security leaders, practitioners, and anyone navigating the real-world tension between frameworks, risk, and reality.

Connect with Tashya Denose on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tashya-denose-68814765

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Connect with 2 Cyber Chicks:

LinkedIn: 2 Cyber Chicks Podcast

Email us: [e-mail]

Jax Scott, Founder, @OutpostGray

- Jax on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/iamjax

- YouTube: Outpost Gray

- Twitter/X: @outpostgray

- Website: iamjax.me

Erika McDuffie, Managing Principal, Coalfire Systems

- Erika on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-mcduffie-767394bb

#2cyberchicks

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