About this Episode
Hosts Aaron Lentz and Tim York talk to Rich Rhodes, Chief Information Security Officer of Choice Bank
Rich shares how his people-first philosophy shapes the way he leads security programs, especially during high-stress moments like bank mergers, regulatory pressure and pandemic-era team isolation. Drawing from years in financial services and community work, Rich explains why fundamentals matter, how humor builds trust and why he believes security is 90% people.
Key Takeaways:
- (04:30) Volunteer work revealed the real-world consequences of identity loss.
- (07:56) Cybersecurity leadership must center the human experience, not just controls.
- (09:33) Managing conflict in security teams requires empathy and intentional restraint.
- (16:09) Employee well-being and development are critical responsibilities of CISOs.
- (18:25) Regular communication and transparency help unify distributed teams.
- (27:04) Large-scale IAM implementations demand urgency and cross-functional alignment.
- (30:55) Creative morale boosters can protect team mental health during crises.
Resources Mentioned:
