Three Deep Breaths: Jasmine Eskenzi on Cyber Mindfulness

This one’s all about calm, clarity, and why it matters in cybersecurity.

In this episode of The Awareness Angle Interviews, I’m joined by Jasmine Eskenzi, co-founder of The Zensory, a platform that uses mindfulness techniques to help people stay calm, focused, and secure online.

We dig into what happens in the brain when we’re under stress, and why that’s such a big deal for security teams. Whether it's a phishing email designed to create panic or a distracted moment between meetings, those are exactly the times when mistakes happen. Jasmine shares how tools like breathing techniques, binaural beats, and even fingerprint grounding can help people recognise stress and reset — fast.

One stat that really stood out: 47% of social engineering attacks happen when people are stressed, overwhelmed, or distracted. That alone makes this a conversation every awareness professional should hear.

We also talk about how stress affects the brain's ability to make clear decisions, the importance of culture and leadership in setting the tone, and why awareness teams need to be thinking about mindset as much as they think about messages.

And yes, there's a mini guided breathing session at the end. No chanting. Just practical stuff that can help you (and your colleagues) stay a little more present, a little more resilient, and a lot more aware.

In this episode:

• Why calm brains are more secure brains

• The science behind amygdala hijacks and poor decision making

• What phishing has to do with stress and distraction

• Subtle, simple mindfulness tools that anyone can use

• How The Zensory works in a workplace setting

• What awareness teams can learn from wellbeing and neurodiversity

If you’re working in awareness, culture, training, or just juggling too much and feeling frazzled — this one’s for you.

🧠 Visit thezensory.com to learn more about the platform
📱 Download the app on iOS or Android
👤 Connect with Jasmine on LinkedIn