#386 Empathy, Grace, and Leadership in Cybersecurity: A Conversation with Tammy Klotz

The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we are joined by Tammy Klotz, a cybersecurity veteran and CISO with over 30 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity. Tammy shares her journey, starting in infrastructure roles and moving into cybersecurity leadership, currently holding her third CISO role in the manufacturing industry. She emphasizes the importance of translating cybersecurity risks into business risks and how this communication is vital for effective leadership.

Tammy discusses the high-pressure nature of cybersecurity, reflecting on a recent global incident involving CrowdStrike. She outlines her leadership techniques for managing stressful situations, such as organizing teams into structured workstreams and maintaining clarity of roles. Tammy also highlights the critical role of empathy in leadership, particularly during crisis situations, and how maintaining a calm, composed, and inclusive environment allows teams to perform at their best.

The conversation touches on how Tammy integrates empathy and grace into her leadership style, focusing on active listening, creating inclusive discussions, and ensuring that every team member’s input is valued. She stresses the importance of trust and respect in building high-performing teams and how these values help in retaining top talent. Additionally, Tammy reflects on her approach to hiring in cybersecurity, noting that while technical skills are important, passion and a willingness to learn often outweigh strict qualifications.

Tammy also discusses the evolving cybersecurity landscape, especially in the AI era, and how CISOs must stay updated on the latest trends while balancing innovation with security. She explains the importance of not being the ‘office of no,’ but instead fostering a partnership with business leaders to implement secure solutions that drive productivity.

Finally, Tammy shares her thoughts on work-life balance in the cybersecurity industry, especially for those in leadership positions. She highlights the need for self-awareness and setting boundaries to maintain personal well-being while managing the demands of a cybersecurity role. Tammy wraps up by inviting listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn and check out her book, Leading with Empathy and Grace, available on Amazon.

About Tammy:

Tammy Klotz is a highly accomplished cybersecurity executive leader with over 30 years of experience in the field. Here are a few highlights about her:

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

Awarded the 2022 "Covanta Leadership Award" and named a Top 100 CISO by Cyber Defense Magazine in 2023

Author of the book "Leading with Empathy & Grace"

Expertise in building high-performing teams, embracing empathy and grace in the corporate world, and developing resilience as a single mother, daughter, and partner.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammyklotz

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:13 Tammy Klotz's Professional Journey

03:00 Why Cybersecurity?

08:00 Handling High-Stress Situations

13:16 Empathy and Leadership

17:19 Hiring and Retaining Talent

22:39 Balancing Innovation and Security

27:55 Privacy, Regulations, and Ethical Considerations

35:36 Work-Life Balance in Cybersecurity

40:11 Conclusion and Contact Information