Under her leadership, SC Media produced guides that translated complex technical concepts (e.g., endpoint detection and response, zero-trust architecture) into actionable language for board-level readers. This helped security teams secure executive buy-in for necessary investments.

Voice of Authority: Laura French’s Editorial Stewardship of SC Media

Laura French served as a pivotal figure at SC Media, a leading information security news and analysis platform. As Editor-in-Chief during a transformative period for cybersecurity journalism, French established a standard for rigorous, vendor-neutral reporting. This paper examines her role in shaping SC Media’s editorial voice, bridging the gap between technical vulnerabilities and executive risk management, and her impact on the broader infosec community.

French implemented stricter sourcing policies, requiring multiple confirmations for breach reports before publication. This reduced the spread of unverified claims common in early cybersecurity reporting.

SC Media (originally SC Magazine ) has been a cornerstone of cybersecurity trade journalism since 1989. The publication is best known for its combination of breaking news, in-depth features, and the annual SC Awards. Among its editorial leaders, Laura French stands out for her focus on journalistic integrity, diversity of expert voices, and practical guidance for security practitioners.

During her tenure, the SC Awards grew in prestige, with French instituting a blind-judging process to reduce bias and sponsorship influence. The awards remain a benchmark for product and leadership excellence.

French actively solicited contributions from women, people of color, and non-traditional security professionals—groups often underrepresented in infosec media. She introduced a regular column featuring CISOs from small and midsize enterprises, not just Fortune 500 leaders.