Why the vCISO Model Is More Than a Stopgap for Organizations Looking for Security Leadership

In this milestone 100th (and birthday!) episode of Audience 1st Podcast, Dani Woolf is joined by veteran cybersecurity leader David Doyle from DirectDefense for a brutally honest conversation about what’s broken in today’s security leadership models and how the rise of the vCISO is more than just a stopgap.

Together, they unpack the myths, power dynamics, and misaligned expectations that drive burnout, stall progress, and keep companies from building real security maturity.

This episode is a blueprint for cybersecurity executives, CISOs, and vCISOs who are serious about designing resilient organizations that can lead through complexity.

You’ll Learn:
1. The real reason CISOs are burning out and why it’s not just about stress
2. How most orgs misunderstand the vCISO role (and end up wasting budget)
3. When to bring in a vCISO and how to avoid hiring the wrong one
4. Why CISOs and vCISOs should be tag-teaming, not competing
5. How to measure progress beyond compliance and build a culture of strategic leadership
6. What makes a good vCISO indispensable, not replaceable

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