Welcome back to the show! Hacker Valley Studio podcast features Host Ron Eddings, as he explores the world of cybersecurity through the eyes of professionals in the industry. We cover everything from inspirational real-life stories in tech, to highlighting influential cybersecurity companies, and we do so in a fun and enthusiastic way. We’re making cybersecurity accessible, creating a whole new form of entertainment: cybertainment.
Episodes
Tuesday Jan 14, 2025
Tuesday Jan 14, 2025
What’s the key to mitigating unseen cyber risks? In this episode, Wes Wright, Chief Healthcare Officer at Ordr and Jerich Beason, CISO at WM uncover the complexities of attack surface management (ASM) and its impact on cybersecurity.
Together with Ron, they explain what constitutes an attack surface and introduce practical frameworks like See-Know-Secure, emphasizing the need for complete visibility and data-driven risk mitigation.
Impactful Moment:
00:00 - Introduction
03:00 - Defining attack surface management
06:13 - See-Know-Secure framework
09:05 - Analogies for explaining ASM to stakeholders
15:33 - Building an inventory for asset visibility
20:42 - Convincing leadership: Budget strategies
25:00 - Tools and methodologies for ASM
36:57 - Managed services vs. in-house approaches
43:00 - Starting your ASM journey
Links:
Connect with our guests –
Wes Wright: https://www.linkedin.com/in/4kidwes/
Jerich Beason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerich-beason/
Learn more about Ordr: https://ordr.net/
Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams
Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:
https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio
Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com
Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord
Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/
Friday Jan 10, 2025
Friday Jan 10, 2025
How will AI redefine cybersecurity in 2025? According to Marco Figueroa, Program Manager for Gen AI at the ODIN Bug Bounty Program, this year is set to be the "Year of the Agent," where AI systems and integrations take a central role.
In this special New Year bonus episode, Ron sits down with Marco to discuss the transformative role of AI in solving cybersecurity challenges. Marco breaks down AI jailbreak techniques, the impact of bug bounty programs on securing AI systems, and why 2025’s fast-evolving tech landscape demands creative thinking. Learn how tools like ChatGPT and Gemini 2.0 are reshaping the industry and why staying adaptable is essential.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 - Introduction
02:14 - Speed vs. safety: AI system challenges
05:30 - Why experience matters more than information
07:45 - Legal stakes for deepfakes and AI
18:36 - Marco’s creative journey in cybersecurity
28:00 - Jailbreaks: Risks and surprising AI findings
37:13 - 2025 predictions: The rise of agents
41:00 - Closing thoughts and the power of community
Links:
Connect with our guest, Marco Figueroa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-figueroa-re/
Chuck Brooks' 2025 Cybersecurity Predictions article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckbrooks/2024/12/24/cybersecurity-trends-and-priorities-to-watch-for-2025/
Focus Areas for the FaccT Conference News: https://facctconference.org/2025/focusareas
“Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Giving-People/dp/0593418573
Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams
Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:
https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio
Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com
Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord
Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/
Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
Most people think cybersecurity training is about knowledge, but what if motivation is the real key to success? David Shipley, CEO and Field CISO at Beauceron Security, shares how psychology and neuroscience reshape how we approach security awareness, reducing risks in ways tech alone never could.
In this episode, Ron and David examine why people, not technology, are at the core of effective cybersecurity. David teaches us about the SCARF model, warns us about the dangers of overconfidence in training, and explains how gamification can drive meaningful behavior change when it comes to cybersecurity awareness and risk reduction.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 – Introduction
02:00 – David Shipley’s journey from journalist to cybersecurity leader
06:10 – Why motivation outshines knowledge in security training
08:20 – The Dunning-Kruger effect: Overconfidence in cybersecurity
11:17 – How overreliance on tech increases click rates
17:03 – Cybercriminals’ evolving tactics and emotional manipulation
25:00 – Gamification in cybersecurity: Changing security behaviors
30:56 – Using the SCARF model to enhance security culture
39:45 – Emotional intelligence as a defense against AI threats
Links:
Connect with our guest, David Shipley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dbshipley/
Learn more about Beauceron Security here: www.beauceronsecurity.com/partner
Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams
Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:
https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio
Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com
Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord
Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
How does a scorching July day in a van with no air conditioning lead to a career at one of the world’s top cybersecurity companies? In this episode, Cole Lisko shares his journey from landscaping to becoming the Cortex Team Manager at Palo Alto Networks.
Joined by his bestie Cole, Ron weaves the conversation through their history of friendship with laughs and lessons learned along the way. Discussing career pivots, unexpected opportunities, and the impact of mentorship, this conversation offers relatable motivation and a candid look at the power of meaningful connections.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 - Introduction
03:00 - Cole’s first exposure to cybersecurity
06:30 - Pivotal moment: a call for mentorship
11:40 - Breaking into cleared work
18:30 - Lessons learned at Booz Allen
22:00 - The art of work-life compartmentalization
27:45 - Leadership insights from landscaping days
32:50 - What’s next for Cole at Palo Alto Networks
Links:
Connect with our guest, Cole Lisko: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewlisko/
Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams
Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:
https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio
Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com
Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord
Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
What if the key to innovation is breaking the rules? Ted Harrington, Executive Partner at Independent Security Evaluators and a pioneering ethical hacker, explores the power of commitment, curiosity, creativity, and nonconformity to rethink cybersecurity and life itself. From hacking the first iPhone to disrupting misconceptions about security testing, Ted shows why the hacker mindset matters more now than ever.
Join Ron and Ted as they discuss strategies for using the hacker mindset to solve problems, address risks like AI-driven deepfakes, and uncover unconventional opportunities in both business and personal growth.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 - Intro
03:15 - The four traits of a hacker mindset
07:40 - Hacking the first iPhone and Tesla
11:50 - Why penetration testing is misunderstood
16:30 - Risks and realities of AI deepfakes
21:20 - Applying hacker traits to entrepreneurship
28:45 - Ted’s upcoming book: Inner Hacker
33:00 - Why mindset matters most
Links:
Connect with our guest, Ted Harrington: https://www.linkedin.com/in/securityted/
Order Ted Harrington’s book “Hackable” here: https://www.amazon.com/Hackable-How-Application-Security-Right-ebook/dp/B08MFTQ7Q4
Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams
Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:
https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio
Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com
Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord
Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/