The cybersecurity industry is facing a silent epidemic: underdeveloped leadership. As the field grows, highly skilled technicians are often thrust into leadership roles before they’re ready and without the tools to succeed. This weakens team morale and organizational health and can introduce security vulnerabilities, the very risks we work to mitigate. In this talk, Chris Cochran will share candid leadership stories—some disastrous, some triumphant—along with the philosophies and battle-tested tactics that have helped him navigate the toughest leadership challenges. Whether you are grooming new leaders or handling a leadership challenge yourself, this session will equip you with practical strategies to lead confidently, build strong teams, and drive success in cybersecurity.