We were lucky to catch up with Joseph Steinberg recently and have shared our conversation below.

Joseph, appreciate you joining us today. Some of the most interesting parts of our journey emerge from areas where we believe something that most people in our industry do not – do you have something like that?

For well over a decade I have argued that the conventional password strategies offered by so many “experts” – for example, that people use complex passwords, change passwords often, don’t ever reuse passwords, etc. – is bad advice. For many years I stool nearly alone in my opposition to de facto “industry standards” – today, however, things are changing… Why do I oppose strategies that appear to many folks to be obviously correct? You can read my thoughts here:

Why You Should Ignore Everything That You Have Been Told About Passwords

Why You Should Ignore Everything That You Have Been Told About Passwords

Joseph, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Since I was a small child, I have been interested in how computers work, and if there were (and are) ways to make them do things beyond what they are expected to be able to do. From that interest and hobby blossomed a career. I have built several cybersecurity companies, and have been writing professionally about cybersecurity for over two decades – having written several books and regular columns for Forbes and Inc. Today I split my time between serving as a cybersecurity expert witness, advising cybersecurity companies on strategy and non-cybersecurity companies on cybersecurity, and writing my independent column covering cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, privacy, and the usually unanticipated impacts of technology on human society.

In addition to my primary work, I also serve as a Senior Policy Analyst at the Global Foundation for Cyber Studies and Research think tank, as a cybersecurity expert member of Newsweek’s Expert Forum, and as an advisor to the WonderKey Collective nonprofit that provides technology and related resources to underserved and underfunded communities across the United States. I am also a member of the Cybersecurity Advisory Council of CompTIA, the world’s largest technology trade association and its second-largest related certifying body.

You can read more about me at https://JosephSteinberg.com

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Back in 2005, when I started Green Armor Solutions, the company’s focus was on delivering anti-phishing technology that businesses could incorporate into their customer login web pages. Shortly after we began marketing the offering, however, a federal agency made various recommendations to banks regarding user authentication – thereby creating a tremendous market opportunity in the user authentication space. Green Armor immediately pivoted and entered the user authentication space – with its anti-phishing capabilities becoming one of the competitive advantages of our product.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I often provide viewpoints that go against conventional wisdom on significant matters – and, which, over time, are proven correct. Decades of experience “on the ground” often teaches far more than do classes and books – especially in a field in which change is constant.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://JosephSteinberg.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josephsteinberg/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JosephSteinberg
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephsteinberg/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JosephSteinberg
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/JosephSteinberg
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@josephsteinberg

Image Credits
All photos are property of Joseph Steinberg.