Episode 158 - Wild Adventures with Chef Bri Van Scotter

In this episode, Chris, Ron, and their special guest going to be talking about your table. Not the table itself, but what is on it. They are talking about food and following our passions. They've brought in Bri Van Scotter, professional Chef, author, hunter, and host of the TV series Wilderness to Table. Bri is so unbelievably talented in so many areas. Everyone is going to love this episode and learn a little bit about the food we eat. 

Key Moments

00:56 - Intro to Bri

02:41 - Bri’s Background

03:59 - The darker side of food production

04:57 - The hunt begins

06:13 - For the love of food

11:41 - On going deep with your craft

16:10 - Getting more in touch with your food

21:33 -  Eating for Health

22:52 - Honoring our food sources

25:28 - Knowledge is power

Visit Bri at her website

Follow Bri on Instagram

Keep in touch with Hacker Valley Studio on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram

Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon

Visit our friends and sponsor Panther Labs

QuickQ: What is Security Architecture?

Ron and Chris are the hosts and guests for this episode! This episode answers fundamental questions about Security Architecture. Learning about security architecture is absolutely essential for anyone on the path of becoming a cyber security expert just looking to learn more about a cybersecurity topic.

Security Architecture is the foundation, the fabric and the process used to help secure your data, your privacy, and even your money.

Now for a second, Imagine that you are an architect and your biggest strength is your ability to build banks. And a new client reaches out to you... We'll name this client Ray. And Ray asks you to build his company a new bank with all the bells and whistles. You're going to need to build Ray and his company something spectacular! This bank you build is going to need to serve as an office and boost productivity for the bank staff. The bank is also going to serve as a place where customers can deposit and withdraw money. But most importantly, Ray is going to want you to protect his crown jewel, his money! (Think of all those gold bricks and bars that Ray is going to want to keep under his possession )

Key Takeaways:

0:00 - Welcome back to the Hacker Valley Studio

1:10 - Ron's favorite topic! Security Architecture

1:45 - Security architecture is the foundation 

2:21 - Where a security architecture starts and stops

4:00 - A security architect is playing a game of Tower Defense

6:27 - Using EASY Framework as a security architect

10:04 - Prerequisites for becoming a security architect

13:55 - Differences between security architect and security engineers

16:55 - Resources for learning more about security architecture

19:21 - Stay in touch with Hacker Valley Studio!

Keep in touch with Hacker Valley Studio on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram

Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon

Learn more about our fantastic sponsor Upytcs

Episode 156 - Detection as Code with Nick Hakmiller

In this episode, we speak to a Detection and Response expert! Our guest is Nick Hakmiller, Senior Engineering Manager at Panther Labs.

Nick was first exposed to technology in High School where he took an introduction to Visual Basic programming course. When learning about multi-threaded applications Nick became curious and began exploring how to open too many threads to crash a computer. Throughout Nick’s career he’s maintained an interest and focus on attack techniques and building defensive security programs.

On occasions, security controls may fail to catch an attacker. A detection is logic that is applied to logs, security controls, and alerts to notify teams and automated processes. Nick describes Python as an exceptional programming language to apply detections and create detections as code.

Nick describes many aspects of security as an engineering problem. As organizations transform and adopt new technologies, security issues arise and evolve. Nick describes that the team’s that are most successful with applying detection as code have chosen to view security as a function that engineering should participate in and help solve.

As an organization’s security program matures, Nick mentions that the most impactful detections will likely be written and created by someone within the organization. For instance, creating a detection that defines which users should have access to sensitive data is likely to be created by a member of the organization with knowledge of team structure.

Towards the end of the episode, Nick shares his wisdom to any practitioner that wants to step into the role of creating detections and providing impact while doing so.

Key Takeaways

0:00 - Welcome Back to the Hacker Valley Studio Podcast!

2:29 - Nick Hakmiller, Senior Engineering Manager at Panther Labs

4:20 - How Nick became interested in technology

6:00 - What is a detection?

7:25 - How detection as code applies to cybersecurity and software engineering

10:11 - Prerequisites to consider before applying detection as code

12:27 - Thinking beyond out of the box solutions and applying detections

15:54 - Categories of detections and which are most impactful

23:45 - Reducing alerts by engineering efforts

27:40 - Is it possible to automate everything for security?

32:56 - Advice on getting started with creating detections

Keep in touch with Nick Hakmiller on LinkedIn

Reach out to Nick on Panther’s Community Slack

Stay up to date with Nick’s work by viewing Panther Analysis

Learn more about Panther Labs

QuickQ: What is Threat Intelligence?

Today’s guests are our very own hosts!  Ron and Chris.  Together they tackle everything that surrounds threat intelligence by answering both the hard and easy questions.

Between the stories they share about past experiences, and the facts behind threat intelligence, you will learn something new, and that’s a promise!

In essence, threat intelligence is taking the information about threats or things that can go wrong and applying it to their network and company.  It’s the processing, collection and analyzation of data to understand threat actors, motives, targets and attack behaviors. 

Key Takeaways

1:10 Episode starts

2:39 Threat intelligence

3:00 Ron & Chris share what threat intelligence means to them

6:33 Organizations and threat intelligence

8:39 Back in the day

12:54 Benefits of threat intelligence

15:08 Skills needed to be in threat intelligence

19:22 Networking

23:34 E.A.S.Y.

Links:

Email Ron & Chris

Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon.  Follow Hacker Valley Studio on Twitter.

Follow hosts Ron Eddings and Chris Cochran on Twitter.

Hacker Valley Merch!

Episode 154 - Equity in Technology with Olivia Herriford

Today in the studio, we have Olivia Herriford, whose great and exceptional work is focused on equity in technology.  Olivia is the Regional Director and Employer Engagement at Bay Area Community College Consortium.  

Olivia’s background is in technology, and with the Bay Area Community College Consortium, they support 28 community colleges in the San Francisco Bay region.  She often tells people she has what one would call an “ancient” computer science degree which she earned in 1973.  Olivia takes us back to what it was like to be a black woman in the mid-70s working with hardware and software engineers in the area of hardware design.  Sadly, she experienced a rather hostile work environment.  

In today’s world, Olivia believes one of the best things we can do for reaching out to younger people is instill confidence.  These young people do not need to be swayed by comparing themselves to others, but rather realize we all bring something unique to the table.  Everyone needs to understand their own capabilities and power.

Key Takeaways:

2:26 Olivia’s background

6:38 How Olivia ended up where she is

15:45 How do we change the environment

17:17 Progress & future

20:42 Making an impact

23:04 Cultivating conversations

26:22 Equity in technology

29:08 Advice for awareness

32:35 Connecting with Olivia

Links:

Olivia on LinkedIn

Olivia on YouTube

Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon.  Follow Hacker Valley Studio on Twitter.

Follow hosts Ron Eddings and Chris Cochran on Twitter.

Sponsored by Panther Labs

Episode 153 - Your Personal Brand in Demand with Stephen Hart

Welcome back to the Hacker Valley Studio podcast. I'm sure you've heard of the term personal brand, and maybe you've asked yourself, what does it mean and how do I promote it. In this episode, we speak to someone that helps others develop their personal brand. We speak to Stephen Hart, entrepreneur, marketer, and brand strategist. We've known Stephen since way back. He's been a huge supporter, and someone that's helped develop our podcast and our branding. And this episode is nothing but pure gold and entertainment. Can't wait for everyone to listen. Let's jump right into it. 

Our guest this episode is Stephen Hart. Stephen is the founder of Isles Media LLC, creator of Brand in Demand, and podcast host of Trailblazers.fm. podcast. Stephen always starts conversations off from a place of gratitude. He is grateful for his daughters, who have given him a “home base to run everything through. Beyond that, his is a Marketer and a podcast host for the last five, five and a half years. He is a brand strategist and the creator of an amazing program that he will talk about in a bit here.

Listen in as Stephen gives some great tips, and a special invitation.

00:59 Welcome and Intro to Steven Hart

2:16 Steven shares his background

3:45 Become a brand in demand

6:06 Creating a digital footprint

8:15 Desire to start a podcast

9:08 Share others success through Trailblazers.fm

10:00 Creating a course for others

11:23 Brand Management

13:05 Business Digital Footprint vs. Personal footprint

14:39 Brand does not equal logo

16:55 Recreating himself

18:26 Getting clear on goals

19:55 Lacking clarity & how to get clear

24:00 Foundation to your vision

27:10 Entrepreneurship can live simultaneously with employment

30:46 Investment vs. spending

32:45 Getting started on your own vision

35:00 Who do you want to serve?

37:47 Discount for Hacker Valley Tribe

Stephen Hart on LinkedIn

Stephen Hart on Twitter

Stephen Hart on Instagram

Visit Stephen on his website, stephenahart.com

Join Brand in Demand, brandindemand.co Coupon code: hackervalley200

Hacker Valley website, hackervalley.com

Hacker Valley Studio on LinkedIn

Hacker Valley Studio on Twitter

Hacker Valley Studio on Instagram

Sponsored by AttackIQ

Episode 152 - Cancelling the Cold Call with Nikki Ivey

It has been way too long in the making. But it's finally here! We have Hacker Valley merchandise available!  We have shirts, we have hats, we have sweatshirts that you can purchase. 

You are in the Hacker Valley Studio with your hosts Ron and Chris. Welcome back to the show.  Today in the studio, we've brought in Nikki Ivey. Nikki is a B2B revenue growth and startup culture leader. She's recognized as a 2020 LinkedIn top voice, and she is the co-founder of SDR Defenders community. 

For those that want to get to know Nikki and understand where she come from and what she is up to today, Nikki shares she works with Fortune 500 companies to help them make their outsides match their insides. In short, she helps folks close a gap, so everybody has access to a greater sense of belonging and purpose in the work that they do.  

Sadly, Nikki started down this path because she felt she often did not belong or was not often treated like she belonged. Her mom says her first full sentence was, “That's not fair.” She actually studied broadcasting and journalism but then discovered that tech sales was an outlet for all of those things that she cared about.

Nikki cares deeply about culture and has experienced so many issues as she has gone through her career.  The one thing she would love to change is people not being the gatekeepers rather be stewards.  

Nikki has a lot of advice on “cancelling the cold call” and making connections.  She is full of beautiful ideas to make everyone, from top to bottom in a company feel included, important and connected.

Key Takeaways:

:58 Episode starts with Ron and Chris

1:40 Nikki shares her background

2:55 Bringing people into the fold

5:18 Culture issues

7:57 Nikki’s superpower

10:00 Making connections

14:20 Doubling down

19:09 Being genuine

23:11 Building your brand

26:54 Final piece of advice from Nikki

Links:

Email Nikki

Nikki on LinkedIn

Nikki on Instagram

Nikki on Twitter

Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon.  Follow Hacker Valley Studio on Twitter.

Follow hosts Ron Eddings and Chris Cochran on Twitter.

Get your Hacker Valley Merch here!

Episode 151 - Health is Wealth with Alexis Robertson

Today in the studio, we have Alexis Robertson, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at a large law firm and a recovering lawyer. 

Alexis kicks in with a bit about herself, and shares “I am director of diversity inclusion at a large law firm but spent the first 10 years or so of my career dedicated to laws, going to law school and practicing as a lawyer for about seven and a half years before leaving legal practice closing in on six years ago, I grew up in the suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, spent most of my life in the Midwest, except for time spent in DC at American University for undergrad and then I went to the University of Michigan for law school. That's me in a nutshell.”

Alexis shares throughout this episode how her health, exercise and food habits all became habit with some very big changes.  It isn’t about getting healthy; it is about a long journey of being healthy.  You will hear a little bit about her food choices and why she made them, the exercises she partakes in, and how she balances it all.  

Key Takeaways:

1:27 Welcome

2:23 Alexis shares her background

3:25 Serendipity

5:33 Self-improvement journey

12:41 Healthy mentality with food

17:20 Next steps

21:12 Getting back on track

24:07 Fitness journey

28:16 Looking forward

31:13 Advice to others

33:17 Staying in touch with Alexis

Alexis on LinkedIn

Alexis on Instagram

The Path & The Practice Podcast

Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon.  Follow Hacker Valley Studio on Twitter.

Follow hosts Ron Eddings and Chris Cochran on Twitter.

Learn more about our sponsor ByteChek.

Episode 150 - Making a Difference Mindfully with Natasha Barnes

In this episode, we talk to our special guest, Natasha Barnes. Natasha is the Associate Director and the CEO Action for Racial Equity Fellow of Protiviti. She is a certified mindfulness workplace facilitator and mindfulness-based stress reduction. 

Natasha is part of a movement to answer the question of does corporate America have a role to play in advancing racial equity within our nation, and essentially improving our overall societal well-being. 

Technology serves as a way to propel the conversation forward, and recognizing global interconnectedness.

Listen in for all of Natasha’s insights!

Key Takeaways:

1:02 Welcome back

2:16 Natasha shares her background

3:11 Natasha’s journey through wellness

4:23 Mindfulness purpose

6:28 Instructing others 

10:27 Corporate role 

10:52 Four pillars

15:06 Her journey

17:24 Creating solutions

19:24 Progress

21:39 Equity through mindfulness and technology

26:48 Impact

Natasha on LinkedIn

CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion

Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon.  Follow Hacker Valley Studio on Twitter.

Follow hosts Ron Eddings and Chris Cochran on Twitter.

Sponsored by ByteChek

Episode 149 - Permission to Launch with Kelsey Hightower

In this episode, we've brought in a special guest, Kelsey Hightower.  Kelsey is Principal Engineer at Google, and also co-author of Kubernetes: Up and Running: Dive into the Future of Infrastructure. 

To start the show, Kelsey shares he considers himself a self-taught engineer. He started his life out as a small business owner and then moved to a system administrator. Now, he is at Google.

Kelsey’s fascination with cyber started post High School. Rather than go to college, he jumped into, tech support, consulting, dropping cat five cable, but about 2004ish he really digs into the world of open source and all the things that you can do with it as a user and as a contributor.

When it comes to community and customers, Kelsey felt they were one in the same.  However, in the last five years or so, he has kind of changed that a little bit, thinking everyone is probably in your community. The willing the ones that are willing to pay you money, we call those customers.

And then the conversation turns to comedy, and his journey through comedy management and performances.  Along with this comes discussion about acquiring skills.  

Finally, Kelsey shares advice to listeners!

Key Takeaways:

1:00 Welcome back

2:18 Kelsey shares his background

3:31 Community and customers

4:40 Professional purpose

6:00 Retirement thoughts

10:31 Journey in comedy

14:35 Getting better

16:28 Propelling forward

20:12 Minimalism

22:18 Immersion journey

25:25 Don’t miss the moment

27:00 Exceeding expectations

37:56 It’s ok to start!

39:25 How to keep up to date with Kelsey

Kelsey on Twitter

Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon.  Follow Hacker Valley Studio on Twitter.

Follow hosts Ron Eddings and Chris Cochran on Twitter.

Sponsored by Attack IQ

Attack IQ Academy