Welcome to Kernel – the podcast that gets to the core of cybersecurity careers, leadership, and innovation across North America.
Hosted by James Warren, a cybersecurity recruitment specialist with over seven years of experience placing executives, managers, and individual contributors into full-time and contract roles across the United States.
From Application Security to Cloud, AI, and Identity, James has placed talent in virtually every cyber domain, earning 50+ public testimonials and maintaining a 95% Net Promoter Score with clients and candidates alike. Through in-depth interviews with senior cybersecurity professionals, Kernel explores the evolving landscape of security work and what makes a great cybersecurity leader.
Expect honest and forward-looking stories from the cybersecurity industry.
Kernel Podcast | Episode 3: From Networking to CISO – Building a Cybersecurity Career That Scales
Guest:Shannon Brewster, CISO at YipitData and Board Director & Treasurer at ISC2
Host: James Warren, Specialist Cybersecurity Recruiter at Stanton House
In Episode 3, James Warren sits down with Shannon Brewster, Chief Information Security Officer at YipitData and Board Director & Treasurer at ISC2.
Shannon shares his journey from telecommunications and networking into cybersecurity leadership and what it really takes to step into a CISO role.
From building technical foundations to navigating executive relationships, this episode explores the reality behind one of the most sought-after positions in cyber.
What You’ll Learn
How Shannon transitioned from networking into cybersecurity
The role ISC2 plays in shaping the global cyber workforce
Why the CISSP remains the gold standard in security careers
The biggest shift when moving from consulting into a CISO role
Why relationship-building matters more than technical strategy at executive level
How to think about risk, influence, and stakeholder alignment as a security leader
The importance of community, mentorship, and long-term career building
Key Takeaways
The CISO role is less about control and more about influence and alignment
Cybersecurity leadership requires business understanding, not just technical depth
Community-driven organisations like ISC2 play a critical role in career development
Certifications like the CISSP validate expertise but relationships build careers
Program and project management are underrated skills for aspiring CISOs
Who Should Watch
✅ Aspiring CISOs and security leaders ✅ Cybersecurity professionals planning their next career step ✅ Engineers looking to move into leadership roles ✅ Professionals exploring certifications like CISSP ✅ Anyone interested in the future of cybersecurity careers
