The Strategy Layer

The Strategy Layer

Home
Notes
Strategy Layer Live
Archive
About
AI Is Cheap. Trust Is Expensive.
Why the next wave of enterprise AI isn’t about generating more—it’s about generating what’s true.
 • 
Steve Tout
The Two Faces of ROI
ROI lives in two worlds: the forecast and the proof. The best leaders use it to price the future—and verify it over time.
 • 
Steve Tout
When Growth Becomes the Enemy: The Neuroscience of Change Fatigue
Why “more, faster, now” backfires—and how next-gen leaders recalibrate for sustainable performance.
 • 
Nicolette Sulaiman
AI Will Not Run IAM for You
Why Faster Answers Don’t Equal Better Outcomes in IAM
 • 
Steve Tout
Playing a Winnable Game: Why Cybersecurity Leaders Must Master Strategic Finance
Amid tightening budgets, short CISO tenures, and mounting pressures, the difference between burnout and breakthrough is framing cybersecurity as a game…
 • 
Steve Tout
From Data Protection to AI Security Posture Management: What I’ve Learned as an Early Advisor to TrustLogix
Why CIOs and CISOs Must Treat AI Security Posture Management as the Next Strategic Imperative for Data Governance and Enterprise Resilience
 • 
Steve Tout
From Compliance Theater to Human Leadership: Why Sidelining CISOs Normalizes Breaches
Boards that weaken security leadership reduce cybersecurity to performance art. CIOs and CISOs must reclaim their role as human-centered…
 • 
Steve Tout
Equity by Design: Lessons from Modernizing Consumer IAM in Washington State
A case study in balancing privacy, inclusion, and UX to deliver equity by design.
 • 
Steve Tout
The Next-Gen CISO: Leading Beyond Risk and Certs with Jimmy Sanders
Watch now (56 mins) | Cyber leadership is shifting — and the gulf between yesterday’s CISO and tomorrow’s is only growing.
56:16
Identity Is Moving Faster Than Your Roadmap
What NIST Rev 4 Signals — and Why CIOs and CISOs Must Act Before 2026
 • 
Steve Tout
The $2M Detour: When Good Intentions Derail Great Decisions
How one PAM project became a leadership lesson in timing, trust, and telling the truth
 • 
Steve Tout
Vibe CISOing: The Leadership Skill No Dashboard Can Teach You
Because the most important signals aren’t technical—they’re human.
 • 
Steve Tout
The Strategy Layer
The Strategy Layer
The Strategy Layer cuts through operational noise to help CISOs and cybersecurity leaders drive business results. Articles, insights, and conversations focused on smarter strategy, sharper alignment, and leadership that endures.
Recommendations
The Candid CISO
The Candid CISO
Steve Tout
The Razor’s Edge
The Razor’s Edge
Steve Tout
Lexi Reese
Lexi Reese
Lexi Reese
Live
Strategy Layer Live
Join us live!

The Strategy Layer

AboutArchiveRecommendationsSitemap
© 2025 Steve Tout
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture