Aligning Cybersecurity with Business Goals: Insights from Mark Benaquista

Cyber Talks

In this episode, Erin McLean chats with Mark Benaquista, a seasoned cybersecurity leader and Managing Director at Thomas H. Lee Partners. Mark shares his career journey from starting as an associate at JPMorgan to leading cybersecurity portfolios across various industries. He offers valuable insights into the importance of aligning technology with business objectives and the critical role cybersecurity plays in supporting these goals.

Mark also delves into his current role at Thomas H. Lee Partners, where he oversees technology and cybersecurity across the firm’s diverse portfolio, highlighting the collaborative approach that drives success.

Key discussion points include:

• Mark’s shift from a finance-focused role at JPMorgan to a technology-driven career, illustrating the value of flexibility and seizing new opportunities.
• Insights from Mark’s decade at Merck, where he learned the importance of aligning IT with business objectives and the value of mentorship in career growth.
• Challenges Mark faced while transitioning to Warner Music and how he first encountered the critical importance of cybersecurity in a rapidly changing industry.
• Mark’s approach to managing technology and cybersecurity across a diverse portfolio, focusing on collaboration, risk management, and the importance of integrating cyber risk into broader business discussions.
• Mark’s thoughts on managing cybersecurity stress, emphasizing transparency, collaboration, and business alignment to ensure that security leaders don’t shoulder the burden alone.

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About Cyber Talks

From ransomware attacks to supply chain compromises, eSentire’s Cyber Talks podcast will delve into the world of the latest cyber threats that are impacting businesses globally. Join our team of security experts as we speak with C-level executives and security practitioners about the cyber risks affecting their business and how they’re addressing these challenges.

About eSentire

eSentire, Inc., the Authority in Managed Detection and Response (MDR), protects the critical data and applications of 2000+ organizations in 80+ countries, across 35 industries from known and unknown cyber threats by providing Exposure Management, Managed Detection and Response and Incident Response services designed to build an organization’s cyber resilience & prevent business disruption. Founded in 2001, eSentire protects the world’s most targeted organizations with 65% of its global base recognized as critical infrastructure, vital to economic health and stability. By combining open XDR platform technology, 24/7 threat hunting, and proven security operations leadership, eSentire's award-winning MDR services and team of experts help organizations anticipate, withstand and recover from cyberattacks. For more information, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.esentire.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eSentire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.