Generative AI Risks and Governance: What Business Leaders Need to Know with Terry Ziemniak

Welcome to Open Tech Talks, where we explore AI, cybersecurity, and the evolving role of technology in businesses. In this episode, we speak with Terry Ziemniak, a Fractional CISO and Partner at TechCXO, who has worked with companies across the healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and government sectors. 

The discussion covers cybersecurity risks, strategies for companies of all sizes, the challenges of adopting Generative AI, and governance frameworks for mitigating AI-related risks.

Whether you’re a business leader, security professional, or AI enthusiast, this episode provides practical insights into managing security in today’s rapidly changing digital landscape.

Before going further, let's understand what these Fractional Roles are:

Fractional leadership is an emerging trend that allows companies to hire high-level expertise without committing to a full-time executive role.

For example, Fractional CISOs provide the same security leadership as traditional CISOs. Still, they are part-time or project-based, making cybersecurity expertise accessible to businesses that may not have the budget for a full-time role.

By following the best security and AI governance practices, organizations can protect themselves against threats while leveraging technology to drive growth.

Episode # 154

Today’s Guest:

Terry Zimnick, Fractional CISO, 

Terry Ziemniak is a Partner in TechCXO’s Product and Technology practice. He is a cybersecurity leader sought by boards, investors, and senior management teams to assist healthcare, service organizations, retail, and manufacturing companies—as well as government agencies and contractors—in his role as a fractional CISO.

• Website: TechCXO
• Linkedin: Terry 

What Listeners Will Learn:

• Understanding Fractional Roles in Cybersecurity: How businesses leverage fractional Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) for cost-effective security leadership.
• Cybersecurity Landscape: Current threats, vulnerabilities, and trends shaping cybersecurity in different industries.
• Security Practices in Large vs. Small Companies: The challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in implementing cybersecurity measures compared to larger organizations.
• Challenges in Adopting Generative AI: Key obstacles companies face when integrating AI and large language models (LLMs) into their workflows.
• Generative AI Risk and Governance: The importance of AI governance frameworks and how businesses can structure policies to ensure compliance and security.
• Cybersecurity Strategies for SMBs: Practical steps for small businesses to strengthen security and mitigate risks without requiring large budgets.

Resources:

• TechCXO