What trade-offs are you willing to make in cybersecurity?
In this episode of Security & GRC Decoded, host Raj Krishnamurthy is joined by Trupti Shiralkar, a seasoned cybersecurity leader and Advisory Board Member at Backslash Security, to explore how risk, ROI, and real-world constraints shape modern security programs. With decades of experience across AppSec, security architecture, and risk governance, Trupti brings a rare blend of deep technical insight and strategic thinking.

They dive into cyber economics, AI-driven tooling, and why security storytelling may soon matter more than fear-based metrics. Whether you're a security veteran or just entering the space, this is a must-listen on staying relevant and effective in the age of automation.

5 Key Takeaways

• Cybersecurity is about trade-offs – No org can secure everything; knowing what to ignore is just as critical.
• LLMs can’t fully replace layered defense – Copilots help, but context and reachability still matter.
• ROI matters more than ever – Security teams must prove business value in language execs understand.
• Storytelling wins boardrooms – Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) is out. Framing risk with narrative is in.
• Reinvent or be replaced – AI won’t eliminate jobs—it’ll replace outdated versions of them.

What You’ll Learn

• How cyber economics helps frame decision-making
• The evolving role of LLMs and software composition tools in vulnerability management
• Why OWASP hasn’t solved insecure code after decades
• How to prioritize reachability over volume
• What developers and security pros should focus on to stay relevant

This podcast is brought to you by ComplianceCow — the smarter way to manage compliance. Automate evidence collection, eliminate screenshots, and scale your program with confidence. Learn more: compliancecow.com

Connect With Our Guest:

Trupti Shiralkar | Advisory Board Member, Backslash Security
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Timestamps (Approx)

[00:00] Intro
[02:47] Why cyber economics goes beyond traditional budgeting
[06:10] Introduction of grey swan events and the need for proactive innovation
[10:10] Aligning compliance and security using LLMs
[16:56] Reducing cognitive load in cybersecurity decision-making
[20:00] Budgeting for innovation: Lessons from Trupti’s past security leadership
[23:00] Difference between cyber economics and cyber risk quantification
[33:50] The misunderstood strategic role of GRC
[54:30] How meditation and mindfulness help navigate the security world
[57:15] Trupti’s final shout-outs to historic and modern tech inspirations