Jane Frankland

JULY 1, 2025

Most of us have heard the saying, “No pain, no gain.” For cybersecurity leaders navigating the high-stakes world of defending critical systems, this phrase takes on a whole new meaning. Pain, in this context, doesn’t have to mean the physical discomfort. Instead, it’s the uncomfortable reality of facing constant threats, adapting to a rapidly shifting landscape, and shouldering the pressure of being the frontline defence for organisations.

Cybersecurity

Jane Frankland

MAY 3, 2025

It’s the May Bank Holiday, and as I sit at my desk, working, unanswered questions continue to swirl around the recent cyberattacks on Marks & Spencer (M&S) , the Co-op , and Harrods , leaving the full scope and implications of these breaches uncertain. Allegedly orchestrated by the same group known as Scattered Spider, these attacks highlight the significant challenges even the most respected and established brands face in defending against modern cyber threats.

Cyber Attacks

Jane Frankland

APRIL 10, 2025

Small businesses make up 90% of the global business population. They’re not just the soul of local economiesthey’re essential links in global supply chains and the heartbeat of innovation. Yet in todays AI-driven, connected digital world, many of them are facing a threat theyre reluctant to see, hear, or acknowledge. Just like the three wise monkeys , some small business owners are unintentionally following a philosophy of see no risk, hear no warning, speak no threat when it comes t

Small Business

Jane Frankland

JUNE 8, 2025

Moving in the circles I do, I’ve noticed a concerning trend. The modern enterprise C-suite is undergoing a seismic shift—not over profits or market share, but over who leads technology, shapes strategy, and ultimately defines the future of the business. For decades, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) was the central authority on IT, overseeing infrastructure, systems, and digital initiatives.

CISO

Jane Frankland

MAY 30, 2025

Everyone’s talking about AI aren’t they, and when I gave a keynote on Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity recently, I relayed how the rise of AI has brought us to a pivotal moment in historya moment brimming with both extraordinary opportunity and unparalleled risk. Central to this debate, though, is the approach that nations are taking toward regulation.

Risk

Jane Frankland

JUNE 24, 2025

I froze when the question came in. If you work in cyber, you’ll know this question all too well. It’s the one that continues to resurface, both in boardrooms and at industry events: “Why are people still the weakest link?” Yes, it was familiar. Yes, it was provocative. But as I stood on stage, reading from my notes, I paused, looked at the question… and moved on to another.

Cyber Risk

Jane Frankland

JULY 17, 2025

It started in a rugby box. There I was, watching the match from a VIP suite—surrounded by a handful of other cybersecurity leaders. The beers were cold, the banter flowing, but one comment cut through the noise: “Cybersecurity’s no longer about technology. It’s about sovereignty.” That stuck with me. That rugby-box insight wasn’t just banter—it reflected a deeper truth that’s reshaping the cyber landscape.

Cybersecurity

Jane Frankland

JULY 22, 2025

For years, the world’s largest corporations have outsourced their cybersecurity to the big brand consulting firms and system integrators, believing that bigger equals better. These massive providers promise global cybersecurity coverage, deep expertise, and cutting-edge technology, making them the default choice for enterprise cybersecurity solutions.

Risk

Jane Frankland

JUNE 27, 2025

“Amusement will outcompete information, and spectacle will outcompete arguments.” This observation, from Chris Hayes’ book T he Sirens’ Call: How Attention Became the World’s Most Endangered Resource cuts to the heart of a growing challenge in every domain of modern society. Whether it’s politics, media, or cybersecurity, the ability to seize attention now often outweighs the value of truth.

Cybersecurity

Jane Frankland

MAY 18, 2025

Cybersecurity has entered a new era. What was once a contest of firewalls and intrusion detection, is now a high-stakes game driven by AI. On one side, defenders are using AI to predict, prevent, and respond to cyber threats with precision. On the other, hackers are harnessing the same technology to outpace defences, sharing AI-enhanced strategies that make them faster, smarter, cheaper and more adaptable.

Cybersecurity

Jane Frankland

APRIL 18, 2025

Imagine building a house on sand or precariously stacking blocks in a game of Jenga. No matter how carefully you place the materials or how advanced the tools you use, the structure is doomed to collapse without a strong, stable foundation. This is the state of cybersecurity today. Organisations invest heavily in governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) and risk management efforts while neglecting foundational elements like leadership and culture.

Cybersecurity

Jane Frankland

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

When data breaches escalate, cyber-attacks grow more sophisticated, nation states ramp up their digital warfare, and regulations tighten the noose, staying ahead isnt just an optionits your only line of defence. But as a CISO or cyber risk owner, it’s not just about locking down sensitive informationits about doing it without slowing down your people.

CISO

Jane Frankland

AUGUST 24, 2024

Drama. It’s something we often associate with TV shows and movies, but it has a sneaky way of infiltrating even the most professional environments, including cybersecurity. With recent events like the CrowdStrike IT outage causing global disruption and significant financial losses, and the controversial Palo Alto Networks-sponsored event at Black Hat USA , where models were presented as mannequins adorned in evening wear with lampshades obscuring their faces, it’s evident that the cy

Cybersecurity

Jane Frankland

AUGUST 8, 2024

Recently, the world witnessed one of the biggest IT outages in history when CrowdStrike, a renowned cybersecurity firm, with a customer base of around 24,000, caused an unprecedented IT outage and Blue Screen of Deaths (BSODs) for Microsoft Windows devices, globally. It’s astonishing how routine maintenance and a glitch in software can lead to global chaos whereby banks, airlines, train companies, telcos, healthcare providers, supermarkets, TV and radio broadcasters are taken offline, and the co

Insurance

Jane Frankland

JUNE 25, 2024

Gordon Moore, a co-founder of Intel, the “father of Silicon Valley,” and well known for “Moore’s Law” once famously said, “Whatever has been done can be outdone.” Tech leaders understand this. They know that becoming agile, strategic, and resilient is not just a goal but a necessity. To compete and win in challenging times such as these, means investing in tech wisely, reducing CapEx and OpEx spend, attracting and retaining top talent, innovating continu

Technology

Jane Frankland

JUNE 19, 2024

As we emerge from an intense season of industry conferences like Infosec and RSA, I believe the cybersecurity community finds itself at a critical juncture. While hot topics like AI’s role in combating hacker threats has dominated discussions, an equally significant issue has remained— mental health and burnout. As an industry veteran, having spent over two decades in cybersecurity, I’ve been thinking a lot about the current state of the field—our relentless pursuit of productivity,

Cybersecurity

Jane Frankland

MAY 23, 2024

Last week I got to participate in one of the most fun (and glamorous) events I’ve ever had in cyber – the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Curtesy of Mastercard and the Mastercard Cyber and Intelligence team, myself and 4 other leaders in cybersecurity were invited to Cannes to walk the red carpet, and watch a premier. It was Francis Ford Coppola’s $120m self-funded dystopian epic, Megalopolis!

Artificial Intelligence

Jane Frankland

MAY 8, 2024

Could artificial intelligence (AI) be the key to outsmarting cyber threats in an increasingly connected world? Is it our only hope for survival?These are questions I’ve been asking myself recently as AI and cybercrime have become hot topics in the tech industry, and for world leaders. On one hand, AI has been hailed as a game-changing technology with the potential to transform industries and improve our daily lives.

Cyber threats

Jane Frankland

APRIL 4, 2024

Recently, a friend of mine who’s just started her own cybersecurity business asked me what I wished I’d known before starting my own business, two decades ago. Having swapped backstories with other “successful” entrepreneurs — including all those not so glamorous aspects — I couldn’t help but write this for her, and for others who are starting out or scaling.

Cybersecurity

Jane Frankland

APRIL 17, 2024

When you think about trust in the digital landscape, what comes to mind? Is it the security of personal information, the reliability of online transactions, the authenticity of digital identities? Or is it ISACA’s definition of digital trust as being the confidence in relationships and transactions. Or it is Nobel laureate and economist Kenneth Arrow’s view, as a “lubricant” in a social system?

Identity Theft

Jane Frankland

MARCH 27, 2024

I’ve been thinking about what it means to be human in our rapidly evolving digital landscape, and how interactions once filled with personal nuances are now frequently handled by algorithms and artificial intelligence. And I can’t help but be concerned that technology, especially advancements in artificial intelligence, is not just reshaping our world; it’s actually reshaping our identity and the fabric of trust that binds us.

Technology

Jane Frankland

MARCH 12, 2024

In the tapestry of human interactions, the words ‘kind’ and ‘nice’ are often woven together so tightly that their distinct threads seem indistinguishable. On the surface, both suggest a pleasantness, a quality of being agreeable or gentle in nature. But is there more to it? Could these two seemingly synonymous words actually spell out different narratives in the screenplay of our lives?

Cyber Attacks

Jane Frankland

MARCH 8, 2024

International Women’s Day is one of those annual landmarks that shouldn’t just be about the magnolia-laden rhetoric and floral tributes. It’s a day that should starkly remind us of the work left undone, the chasms unbridged, and the opportunities squandered due to the gender divide. It’s a day to reflect on why we need to not just celebrate women but invest in their limitless potential.

Banking

Jane Frankland

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

Recently, a friend posted a wonderful piece attributed to their hero, the CISO. I disagreed and immediately felt like a party pooper. But, I had to do it. Here’s why. In business today, the role of a CISO is crucial. With the consistency and severity of cyber attacks and data breaches worsening, compliance becoming a minefield, organisations are turning to (and paying) CISOs for protection and guidance.

CISO

Jane Frankland

FEBRUARY 14, 2024

Every Valentine’s Day, we’re inundated with imagery of passion. In the business world, too, passion is often heralded as a key ingredient for success. But I dare to offer a different perspective, one rooted in the virtues of love. You see, I believe in love. It’s always the answer to a problem. The antidote to fear. The source of inspiration.

Cybersecurity

Jane Frankland

JANUARY 23, 2024

In last week’s blog (part 2), I continued to explore the pros and cons of using an MDR provider and whether it’s better choosing a boutique provider over that of a traditional big brand. Having begun by discussing the first core feature, technology, I then focused on the second core feature, contract terms. I wove in many data points, including some from Managed Threat Detection and Response firm, e2e-assure, who I’m partnering with, and their latest report, Rejuvenating Cyber Defence Strategies

Threat Detection

Jane Frankland

JANUARY 16, 2024

In last week’s blog I started to explore the pros and cons of using an MDR provider and whether it’s better choosing a boutique provider over that of a traditional big brand. I began by discussing the first core feature – technology – I believe you should consider, along with the benefits and potential drawbacks. This week, I’m focused on the second feature – contract terms.

Marketing

Jane Frankland

JANUARY 12, 2024

In that moment, I found myself at a crossroads. Facing a perplexed gaze, I turned my back on one of cybersecurity’s most high profile CISOs, my hands pressed firmly against my ears, belting out a powerful melody. I knew it was a crazy act, and perhaps it was unfair of me to subject him to it, but I wanted him to understand a pressing need in cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity

Jane Frankland

JANUARY 9, 2024

In recent years, data breaches and compliance failures have made organisations increasingly aware of the need for comprehensive cybersecurity solutions to detect and address threats. However, not all organisations have had the means to invest in and manage the staffing and infrastructure required for a Security Operations Centre (SOC). This is where Managed Detection & Response (MDR) providers come in.

Threat Detection

Jane Frankland

JANUARY 4, 2024

Growing up, most women had a Barbie in their lives at some point. Whether you found her artfully arranged on the toy shelf or covered in ‘dirt’ and tucked away, Barbie has played a significant role in shaping many people’s perceptions and aspirations. In this blog, I’ll be delving into how Barbie continues to influence people, particularly women.

Cybersecurity

Jane Frankland

DECEMBER 7, 2023

Cybersecurity can often feel like a game of cat and mouse where cyber attackers and defenders engage in a chase, with one party trying to outsmart the other. Just like in previous years, 2024 is set to test practitioners’ skills as the frequency of cyber threats continues to surge leaving no room for complacency. Here are my predictions for 2024. Digital Transformation In 2024, several trends are expected to shape the landscape of digital transformation.

Cybersecurity

Jane Frankland

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

It’s that time of year when I begin to look back and reflect. Then, predict and plan. It’s the way I like to do things. I beleive like Winston Churchill did that the farther backward you look, the farther forward you are likely to see. It’s why I developed the IN Focus journal and planner, which you can buy via Amazon, and works on your life as a whole, not purely you career.

Cybersecurity

Jane Frankland

NOVEMBER 10, 2023

Bob Marley sang, “ Don’t worry about a thing, ’cause every little thing gonna be all right.” This is what I wish I could say to the people where war is ranging. Where they’re caught up in a crossfire. Where innocent civilians are being displaced, separated from their families, hurt, traumatised, or worse still, dying. This brings me to Israel and Gaza.

Media

Jane Frankland

OCTOBER 31, 2023

C-suites across all industries, from traditional finance to the latest “unicorns” emerging in the fintech industry, are facing a formidable challenge: how to protect their business and customer data against growing cyber threats. However, new research from e2e-assure has revealed that few organisations are taking full advantage of security technologies available today.

CISO

Jane Frankland

OCTOBER 17, 2023

Data breaches have surged globally this year. By mid-year, there’s been a staggering 156% growth in the total number compared to the previous quarter, with a whopping 855 accounts worldwide being leaked every minute. Sadly, no matter your company size, industry, or geographic location, one thing is clear – these alarming statistics underscore the need for heightened cyber vigilance.

Security Awareness

Jane Frankland

OCTOBER 10, 2023

We all know the feeling: ensuring that your business is secure and running efficiently can feel overwhelming. It’s a hard balancing act between protecting valuable data, increasing productivity, controlling costs – especially when technology often seems to be outpacing security measures. But with the range of cloud-based security solutions available today, there doesn’t have to be an underlying fear of losing sensitive information or assets – not with the right solution and partner.

Risk

Jane Frankland

AUGUST 18, 2023

Every now and again I’m asked about conferences and whether they’re worth attending. My answer is always, yes so long as you plan carefully. Over the years I’ve attended hundreds of cybersecurity conferences all over the world, and participated as an attendee, speaker, chair, and advisor. All these roles have enabled me to gain an understanding of conferences through different lenses.

Cybersecurity