THE CYBER INTERVIEW
Ping Identity is a cybersecurity enterprise that secures more than eight billion accounts and serves at least half of the Fortune 100. Responsible for protecting the very systems that protect its users is CISO Russ Kirby.
Asked how it felt to win the SC Award for CISO of the Year earlier this year, Russ joked:“ I just think I really deserved it. No, it’ s very nice. It’ s lovely to get recognition but it’ s also lovely to be able to pass that onto the team as well. They do all the hard work. I just shout at them.”
Describing his role, Russ, who has been in the industry for more than two decades, says:“ My role encompasses everything to do with the security risk governance and compliance of the company on a global basis – cybersecurity, information security and a whole bunch of other things that I’ ve probably forgotten, but still get responsibility for.”
A lot has changed since the dawn of Russ’ s career, particularly when it comes to technology, but he believes its core remains the same.
“ It’ s protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of systems and data,” Russ notes.“ I think it’ s just the tools and the methods that have changed.”
He quickly adds speed to his list of differences:“ We see that with AI and all the good things coming out of the woodwork in terms of that, but also the impact of it has changed.
“ A cyber attack 30 years ago was maybe making a funny little bunny rabbit pop up
“Companies that experience AI burnout implement AI into one step of the process but do not consider the whole”
Russ Kirby CISO Ping Identity
on your screen and causing an irritation,” Russ recalls.“ That was a natural virus that used to go around, which used to make a little rabbit jump up on your screen.”
Since then, the cybercrime enterprise has evolved with a whole host of new malware and attacks – just as humanity and devices become virtually inseparable.
“ We’ re so dependent on computers and technology for our lives now that a cyber attack of even modest success can have a big impact on thousands, tens of thousands or even millions of people,” Russ highlights.
He dissects the industry’ s approach to AI amid the global arms race and as companies try to outperform each other.
Russ says:“ A lot of companies are suddenly realising that governance is an incredibly important part of the implementation of AI. Certainly when the capability arrived, people just‘ yoloed’ it into anything and everything to try and get the advantage and that speed to market.”
26 September 2026