Theresa Payton has seen every aspect of cybersecurity, from financial institutions to the White House to starring on the CBS reality show “Hunted.”

The Fortalice Solutions CEO remains passionate about financial services, and joined this episode of the CUNA News Podcast to discuss cybersecurity threats, how credit unions can protect themselves, and her vast experience in the field.

Payton, the only female chief information officer in the history of the White House, gave the opening keynote Sept. 21 at the 2022 CUNA Operations & Member Experience and CUNA Technology Council Conference in Las Vegas.

Whenever she talks, she wants listeners to leave feeling empowered, inspired, and aware that credit unions are capable of outmaneuvering cybercriminals and tackling the problem—even with a tight budget and thin resources.

You can listen to the CUNA News Podcast in Apple’s iTunes Store, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher Radio.

In this episode:

1:18: An introduction to Theresa Payton and Fortalice Solutions

4:37: Levels of cybersecurity

6:23: Why is cybersecurity important for financial institutions?

9:07: How can credit unions stay safe?

12:03: Why is cybersecurity important for financial institutions? 

14:17: The changing cybersecurity landscape

16:36: Growing in a “male-dominated field”

19:48: Preparing people for a career in cybersecurity

24:14: The Russia-Ukraine war and cybersecurity “busy seasons”

27:15: Identifying cybercriminals

29:56: The “Hunted” TV show

33:35: Outmaneuvering cybercriminals and tackling the cybersecurity problem