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Podcast

The New CISO Podcast with guest Iain Paterson

Dec 04, 2025
1 minute to read

Episode 138

In this episode of The New CISO, host Steve Moore speaks with Iain Paterson, Chief Information Security Officer at Well Health Technologies, about his unconventional path into cybersecurity and the lessons learned from building programs across industries—from banking and healthcare to breach response and beyond.

From skipping college to take an eight-month technical boot camp to leading enterprise security programs, Iain shares how curiosity, hands-on experience, and communication skills shaped his journey. He opens up about the realities of hiring in cybersecurity, why foundational IT work still matters, and how soft skills like empathy and composure are essential for effective leadership. Iain also reflects on leading through high-stress incidents, including the Ashley Madison breach, and explains why staying calm, communicating clearly, and maintaining emotional intelligence define the “new CISO.”

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Iain Paterson

Iain is a Cyber Security veteran with more than 20 years of experience in the Information Security and IT field. He has designed and run security operations programs in enterprise-scale banking, healthcare, and government organizations. In 2015, Iain joined Cycura, were he became the company’s Managing Director, leading both Offensive Security and Incident Response teams. In August of 2020, WELL Health Technologies acquired Cycura, and he became the company’s CEO, and leader of what is now the CyberWELL Business Unit.

In 2022 Iain assumed the full time role of CISO for WELL and its various business subsidiaries in North America and abroad. Iain has spoken as a thought leader at Healthtech and Cyber Security conferences globally. Iain currently sits on the RCMP / NC3 Cyber Crime working committee, and is a leader in the Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange (CCTX) Program. Iain holds industry designations from ISC2, SABSA, and ISACA and an MBA from Athabasca University in Alberta, Canada.

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