Security | Threat Detection | Cyberattacks | DevSecOps | Compliance

Security leaders are not ignored because governance or risk no longer matter, they are sidelined because speed and efficiency are treated as the only metrics that count. AI is sold as a competitive edge, so any warning about second order effects sounds like friction, even though speed without control creates asymmetric risk that grows out of sight.

Cybersecurity is pricing itself out of reach. Over the past eight years, private equity and VC acquisitions have driven massive price increases across security consulting, vendor products, pentesting and compliance services. SMBs are struggling with vendor renewals climbing up to 40% while security budgets can't keep pace. From endpoint security to SIEM solutions, baseline cybersecurity is becoming unaffordable for the organisations that need it most.

This one's going to ruffle some feathers. Over the past eight years, something has fundamentally changed in the cybersecurity industry. Prices are climbing faster than most UK and European budgets can absorb. Vendor renewals that used to be predictable are now eye-watering. Consultancy rates have shot up. And it's not just about inflation or rising costs.

Security awareness surged during lockdown as ransomware and phishing exploded, then dropped as everyone chased the next big win in AI. Regulation was watered down, governments pressed to be first, and organisations pushed ahead with automation while security teams were moved back to the sidelines.

What threats should CISOs prioritise as we move into 2026? Welcome to Razorwire, the podcast where we share our take on the world of cybersecurity with direct, practical advice for professionals and business owners alike. I’m Jim and in this episode, we’re looking ahead to the challenges facing security leaders in 2026. I’m joined by Richard Cassidy, EMEA CISO at Rubrik, and together, we discuss the three themes dominating CISO conversations.

From evolving regulations and relentless cyber threats to the rise of AI, CISOs in 2026 are facing their toughest year ever. Discover what’s pushing security leaders to their limits—and why strong leadership and strategy matter more now than ever.#razorwirepodcast.

Recent figures from a DeFi agency show hundreds of millions lost in a quarter, with a significant share linked to smart contract vulnerabilities. The conversation accepts serious security gaps in decentralised finance yet also notes blockchains improving land registries in corrupt environments, where public smart contracts help protect ownership records.

Welcome to the inaugural RazorWire Raw, a new content series offering additional, unfiltered thoughts on news and security issues. This series, born from viewer requests, aims to provide more in-depth content beyond the regular podcast. We're excited to expand our content creation and provide more insights for our audience.

The discussion attacks fiat currency and argues for open digital money that works across borders without bank packages and profit driven fees. Bitcoin appears as long term store of value, with faster networks such as Ether handling daily transactions and travel friendly payments in a more consistent way.

An estimated ninety eight percent of ransoms use cryptocurrency, with Bitcoin at the centre, which turns it into core infrastructure for extortion and fraud. The discussion questions positive impact, pointing to energy waste, slow transactions, fixed supply design and the likelihood of central banks adopting similar tech without those flaws.