Most companies try to prevent phishing attacks.

Mastercard runs phishing attacks on its own employees.

In this clip, Jon Brickey discusses how Mastercard keeps its teams prepared through monthly phishing simulations, capture-the-flag competitions, cyber defense exercises, and large-scale crisis response training.

From friendly competitions and pizza parties to realistic cyberattack scenarios involving major corporations and government agencies, cybersecurity readiness requires more than technology. It requires practice.

Topics discussed:

• Why Mastercard runs monthly phishing simulations

• How employees are rewarded for identifying malicious emails

• What capture-the-flag cybersecurity competitions look like

• How red teams and blue teams train together

• The role of CISOs and incident response leaders during cyber crises

• Why collaboration between industry and government is critical during cyber events

• How organizations prepare for attacks they know will eventually happen

Cybersecurity isn’t just about defending systems. It’s about preparing people.

If you could implement one cybersecurity training exercise at your company, what would it be?

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Connect with Jon Brickey on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjonbrickey/

Want to build your authority and brand as a tech leader? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, a free branding guide and 1-hour training for tech professionals: https://techlegacies.ck.page/newsletter

Connect with the podcast host, Fanny Dunagan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannydunagan/

Links to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/techlegacies

-------------------------

Huge thank you to the sponsors and partners of the #TechLegacies podcast. Hit that FOLLOW button on their pages for the latest updates:

🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/cginfinity/ - IT Consulting Services, especially in energy and Salesforce

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Most people think Mastercard is a credit card company.

It’s not.

At least, not anymore.

On a recent episode of Tech Legacies, Jon Brickey shared a perspective that may surprise many leaders: Mastercard is fundamentally a technology company operating in the payments industry.

While its iconic logo is visible on billions of cards worldwide, Mastercard’s role extends far beyond consumer transactions. The company builds, maintains, and operates the network that connects consumers, merchants, financial institutions, governments, and businesses across a global ecosystem.

Even more interesting, traditional payment networks now account for only about 60% of Mastercard’s business.

The remaining 40% comes from services, including cybersecurity, threat intelligence, risk management, and fraud protection. Through strategic acquisitions and innovation, Mastercard has expanded its reach far beyond payments to help organizations better understand and manage risk.

It’s a powerful reminder that the companies we think we know are often evolving far faster than public perception.

What company surprised you when you learned what they actually do behind the scenes?

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Connect with Jon Brickey on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjonbrickey/

Want to build your authority and brand as a tech leader? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, a free branding guide and 1-hour training for tech professionals: https://techlegacies.ck.page/newsletter

Connect with the podcast host, Fanny Dunagan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannydunagan/

Links to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/techlegacies

-------------------------

Huge thank you to the sponsors and partners of the #TechLegacies podcast. Hit that FOLLOW button on their pages for the latest updates:

🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/cginfinity/ - IT Consulting Services, especially in energy and Salesforce

🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunnablack/ - Executive Coach and & Heart-Centered Leadership

🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/odyssey-information-services/ - IT recruitment and managed services

🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/techcxolaunchpad/ - Program to elevate you to senior leadership and C-Suite

🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketscale/ - For your studio recording needs and platform for user content

👍 Like, subscribe, and share if this resonated with you

What is at risk with cybersecurity, now and into the future?

In this episode, Tech Legacies Host, Fanny Dunagan sits down with Jon Brickey, SVP at Mastercard and former NSA leader, to talk about the future of cybersecurity and lessons from military leadership.

From discovering his hacking instincts as a kid on a TRS-80, to leading cyber strategy at the NSA post-9/11, to building an elite team that Fortune 500 leader calls "the best training I've ever received" — Jon's journey is a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and staying ahead of digital threats.

In this episode, you'll learn:

🔐 Why cyber is now the 5th domain of warfare — and what it means for every business

🪖 The military leadership principle ("leaders eat last") that transformed Jon's management style

🤖 Why AI gives hackers a dangerous edge — and how elite defenders are fighting back

🧠 The "mood of zeal" framework that replaced fear with passion in their cybersecurity team

💼 Career advice for every stage — from hands on analyst to executive cybersecurity leader

Whether you're a tech professional, aspiring executive, or curious about the invisible war being fought online every day — this conversation will change how you think about cybersecurity and leadership.

-----------------------------

Connect with Jon Brickey on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjonbrickey/

Want to build your authority and brand as a tech leader? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, a free branding guide and 1-hour training for tech professionals: https://techlegacies.ck.page/newsletter

Connect with the podcast host, Fanny Dunagan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannydunagan/

Links to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/techlegacies

-------------------------

Huge thank you to the sponsors and partners of the #TechLegacies podcast. Hit that FOLLOW button on their pages for the latest updates:

🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/cginfinity/ - IT Consulting Services, especially in energy and Salesforce

🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunnablack/ - Executive Coach and & Heart-Centered Leadership

🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/odyssey-information-services/ - IT recruitment and managed services

🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/techcxolaunchpad/ - Program to elevate you to senior leadership and C-Suite

🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketscale/ - For your studio recording needs and platform for user content

👍 Like, subscribe, and share if this resonated with you