Information Security in 2025: Doing More With Less

Newfire Marketing

Dec 15, 2024 | 3 min read

Information Security in 2025: Doing More With Less

Cybersecurity and compliance are often seen as an intimidating, costly challenges—especially for small organizations trying to maximize their resources. But does it have to be so hard?

In the latest episode of “Hard Problems, Smart Solutions: The Newfire Podcast,” Newfire’s Head of Advisory Services, Will Crawford, speaks with Laura Louthan, a seasoned virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO), founder of Angel Cybersecurity, and frequent Newfire collaborator, to explore how even lean teams can establish effective security programs without breaking the bank.

Drawing on her years of experience as a cybersecurity executive, Laura offers actionable insights for small businesses navigating complex cybersecurity landscapes.

Listeners will walk away equipped to:

Identify the key cybersecurity priorities for their organization.
Build a security program that fits their budget and culture.
Navigate vendor relationships with a focus on trust and compliance.
Understand how to communicate the value of security across their team.

For healthcare organizations, where protecting sensitive patient data is non-negotiable, Laura explains how even small companies can meet high regulatory standards and earn client trust. Her advice extends to understanding why compliance matters and how to avoid common pitfalls when working with auditors.

One key takeaway? Building a strong security foundation doesn’t require fancy tools or expensive consultants. Instead, Laura emphasizes the importance of mastering the basics:

It’s not the fancy stuff that’s catching people out. It’s the simple, foundational practices—like multi-factor authentication, vulnerability patching, and securing access—that can make or break your security posture.

Laura Louthan, vCISO and Founder of Angel Cybersecurity

Ready to take control of your cybersecurity? Don’t let limited resources hold you back. Tune in now and learn how to build a smarter, stronger security program—no matter your budget.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Hard Problems, Smart Solutions
00:39 Meet Laura Louthan: Cybersecurity Expert
01:18 Maximizing Security on a Budget
01:58 The Role of a Virtual CISO
06:14 Security Challenges in Healthcare
19:06 Vendor Risk and Third-Party Assessments
27:22 AI in Security Programs
32:16 Shadow IT and Incident Response
45:03 Building a Career in Security
46:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

About the Speakers

Laura Louthan

Laura is the Founder of Angel Cybersecurity, where she helps small and mid-sized businesses protect critical information assets through tailored security programs. With over 15 years of experience in security, she has held prominent roles such as Head of Information Security at Sephora and Senior Director of Global Security Compliance at Equifax. Laura specializes in creating scalable, budget-conscious cybersecurity solutions and aligning security initiatives with business objectives. She earned her degree in Biochemistry from Oxford University and holds certifications including CISSP, CCSP, and CISM. Laura is passionate about empowering organizations to build strong security foundations, even with limited resources.

Will Crawford

Will has been a leader in the healthcare and technology industries for 25 years. Prior to his role as Head of Advisory and Chief Technology Officer at Newfire, he served as VP of Engineering at Fitbit, CTO at Medically Home, and Chief Product Officer at SmartSense by Digi—and led security and compliance programs at each. On the regulatory side, he served as HIT Policy Lead at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, where he was deeply involved in HIPAA security regulations and guidance to industry. Will is the co-author of three books on enterprise software, has presented globally on healthcare and technology issues, and advises a range of innovative startups. He holds a BA from Yale University and an MS and MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.