Inspired by Phil Venables’ Good CISO / Bad CISO framework, this piece explores the mental models that distinguish effective security leaders from those trapped in reactive cycles.

I’ve spent the past decade working across cloud, application, and enterprise security. I currently serve as an Information Security Lead and Deputy CISO.

My work centers on advising executives on risk, resilience, and security strategy while ensuring that security aligns with broader business priorities.

Cybersecurity has never been more high-stakes — or more unpredictable. The playbook that kept organizations safe five years ago is crumbling in the face of today’s agile, relentless threat actors.

We’re seeing bulletproof hosting firms rebrand overnight to dodge EU sanctions, while the FBI is flagging anomalies inside trusted platforms like Salesforce. Threats aren’t just evolving; they’re outmaneuvering outdated defenses in real time.

For security leaders and ambitious professionals, the message is clear: survival depends on new frameworks, sharper thinking, and the agility to adapt before attackers strike.

In today’s relentlessly evolving digital arena, tactics once considered unlikely—scam gambling sites, misused forensic tools, shadowed personal security concierges, and deceptive online ads—are being harnessed by sophisticated cybercriminals.

Whether you’re a CISO orchestrating enterprise defense or an aspiring analyst eager to upskill, understanding these emerging threats is critical.

In this post, we unpack a strategic three-step model that explains how these threats materialize and offer actionable insights to transform your risk management approach.