The Gate 15 Interview: Ben Taylor, on Cannabis ISAO, Cannabis Industry security, cybersecurity, rescue dogs and more!

Please enjoy this episode of The Gate 15 Interview podcast on AnchorSpotifyAppleGoogle, as well as other locations accessible via the Anchor link or almost anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts.


In this episode of The Gate 15 Interview, Andy Jabbour speaks with Ben Taylor, Executive Director for the Cannabis ISAO. Ben Taylor is the Executive Director of the Cannabis-ISAO. Ben also serves as a Risk Analyst to several Information Sharing & Analysis Centers and has previous security and operations experience as an Army Officer as well as working through the Department of Homeland Security’s (then) Office of Infrastructure Protection (now part of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency [CISA]). Ben has also spent several years in marketing and partner development roles within the tourism industry, to include working to promote Cannabis tourism in Oakland, California. To learn more about Cannabis ISAO, visit the Cannabis ISAO website, or on Twitter: @CannabisISAO and LinkedIn

In the discussion we address:

  • Ben’s background and the work he’s doing with Cannabis-ISAO today
  • Some background on the development of Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs) and Organizations (ISAOs)
  • Physical security challenges for the Cannabis Industry
  • Cybersecurity threats and issues facing the sector
  • Scams, and other threats facing the community
  • Among other topics, Ben plays three questions with Andy to discuss dogs, favorite books, and more!

A few references mentioned in or relevant to our discussion include:

Ben and Andy recording the podcast on 19 April. Note Andy’s Silver Surfer t-shirt. His joy at this CISA Director Jen Easterly tweet, sent earlier that day cannot be overstated… “Got asked the other day about my favorite comic book character. I ❤️ the Silver Surfer. He’s a bit tortured but supremely cool & noble, with the heart of a poet: ‘…I will fight to preserve the opportunity—to love, to dream, to soar among the stars—for all those yet to come.'”

Please enjoy this episode of The Gate 15 Interview podcast on AnchorSpotifyAppleGoogle, as well as other locations accessible via the Anchor link or almost anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts. 

The Gate 15 Interview is a monthly interview between Gate 15’s founder and Managing Director, Andy Jabbour and guests from throughout the homeland security risk management community addressing a wide range of all-hazards topics and issues. Read more about Gate 15’s full podcast menu at our Podcast page. You can subscribe and enjoy all the Gate 15 Podcasts on AnchorAppleSpotifyGoogle, as well as other locations accessible from the Anchor link. Week-to-week, you can hear and learn more about our all-hazards threats, risks, mitigation and other issues impacting homeland security risk management from our team as well as our regular and special guests. The full podcast menu includes:

  • The Risk Roundtable, is a recurring monthly discussion among our team and occasional guests as we explore the all-hazards threats and risks impacting the United States and internationally.
  • The Cybersecurity Evangelist, with Jennifer Lyn Walker, is a cybersecurity-focused discussion with Jen and invited guests.
  • Nerd Out! Security Panel Discussion, moderated by Dave Pounder, focuses on physical security topics including terrorism, extremism, hostile events, and other pertinent topics.
  • The Gate 15 Interview, is a monthly interview between Gate 15’s founder and Managing Director, Andy Jabbour and guests from throughout the homeland security risk management community addressing a wide range of all-hazards topics and issues.

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