In an era of AI-driven threats, zero-day exploits, and an ever-expanding attack surface, many security leaders are realizing that the biggest risks often stem from neglecting the fundamentals. This candid discussion will focus on why control over app-sprawl, strong security hygiene, sound data governance, and foundational security awareness remain the bedrock of an effective cybersecurity program. Shady Taha, Mark Throne and Jason Trunk will share real-world lessons on reinforcing these basics within their organizations, overcoming challenges of scale and complexity, and ensuring security teams don’t lose sight of what truly matters. Sometimes, the best defense isn’t the newest tool—it’s getting the fundamentals right.