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
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
How do you create waves of change in an industry? Connie Matthews, Founder and CEO of ReynCon, speaks with Ron about the power of resilience, mentorship, and taking that first bold step in cybersecurity.
In this powerful episode, Connie shares her path as a pioneering woman in cybersecurity. Discussing diversity, mentorship, and her nonprofit EmpoW-ER, Connie’s shared lessons and insights on resilience and community give listeners a blueprint for making a meaningful impact in their careers.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 – Introduction
04:27 – Mentorship impact: Building future leaders
10:14 – Embracing diversity and servant leadership
18:03 – Founding EmpoW-ER: Supporting women in cyber
24:13 – Navigating stereotypes and staying resilient
30:00 – Recognizing and celebrating young talent
36:45 – Building an inclusive cybersecurity community
Links:
Connect with our guest, Connie Matthews: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conniematthews/
Learn more about EmpoW-ER: https://www.empower-infosec.org/
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 Oct 29, 2024
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
Is cybersecurity gatekeeping holding back the industry? Naomi Buckwalter, Senior Director of Product Security at Contrast Security and Founder of the Cybersecurity Gatebreakers Foundation, argues that fresh talent and open doors are crucial for industry growth.
In this episode, Naomi challenges why industry hiring norms fall short, shares candid stories of her own missteps, and explains why humility and learning are just as important as technical skills in cybersecurity.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 – Introduction
03:15 – Building a genuine presence on LinkedIn
07:40 – Founding the Cybersecurity Gatebreakers Foundation
12:00 – Why hiring juniors is a win for cybersecurity
17:58 – Relationship building in cybersecurity
25:27 – Lessons from layoffs and overcoming failure
35:45 – Setting goals and attracting opportunities
Links:
Connect with our guest, Naomi Buckwalter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-buckwalter/
Learn more about the Cybersecurity Gatebreakers Foundation: https://www.cybersecuritygatebreakers.org/
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 Oct 22, 2024
Tuesday Oct 22, 2024
In a world filled with AI-generated deceptions, how do we discern what’s real? Ron sits down with Perry Carpenter, author of FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World of Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI-Generated Deceptions, to discuss the risks and the potential of synthetic media and human risk management.
Whether you’re worried about deepfakes or curious about AI’s role in creativity, this episode has something for everyone.
Impactful Moments:
- 00:00 – Intro
- 00:49 – Synthetic voices surprise in mastermind
- 01:42 – Perry’s new book FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World of Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI-Generated Deceptions
- 03:42 – Psychology's role in cybersecurity
- 06:07 – Human risk management explained
- 09:14 – Deepfakes in fraud and scams
- 15:13 – Demo of deepfake voices
- 20:22 – Using cakes to explain large language models
- 27:00 – AI helps overcome creative blocks
- 32:00 – Managing AI hallucinations and risks
Connect with our guest, Perry Carpenter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/perrycarpenter
Purchase a copy of Perry’s book FAIK here: https://www.amazon.com/FAIK-Practical-Disinformation-AI-Generated-Deceptions/dp/1394299885
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 Oct 15, 2024
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
How does one become a true security leader? According to Nathan Case, it’s not about titles—it’s about impact.
In this episode, Nathan Case, VP of Cloud Security at Clarity, shares his journey through security leadership, including stories from his time at AWS and his approach to building mission-driven teams. Nathan discusses balancing family with leadership, the future of AI in cybersecurity, and what it takes to become a real leader in the security space. He also reflects on the importance of being chosen as a leader, rather than striving for the title.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 – Introduction
02:31 – Journey from AWS to Clarity
04:00 – Cyber Dominance
05:55 – Leading Through M&A
07:00 – Redefining the CISO Role
11:00 – Shared Security Responsibility
15:15 – Balancing Mission and Family
20:00 – AI in Security
28:30 – Leadership in Incident Response
32:00 – Woodworking and Perfectionism
35:00 – Leaders Are Chosen
Links:
Connect with our guest, Nathan Case: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathancase/
Check out Nathan and Ross Haleliuk's blog on Security Incident Response here: https://ventureinsecurity.net/p/a-different-take-on-security-incident
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 Oct 08, 2024
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
How can AI shape the future of cybersecurity defense? In this episode, we dive into SOC operations, AI integration, and the latest in threat detection with John Hubbard, Cyber Defense Curriculum Lead at SANS.
John discusses the expansive landscape of cybersecurity defense, while sharing insights on AI's role in threat detection and the cutting-edge tools that are pushing the boundaries of cybersecurity. From automation to detecting anomalies in network traffic, this episode will bring you up to speed on the latest trends and challenges facing cyber defense teams.
Impactful Moments:
- 00:00 – Introduction
- 01:00 – Meet John Hubbard: Cyber Defense Curriculum Lead at SANS
- 02:30 – Overview of the SANS Cyber Defense Curriculum
- 03:30 – The Role of AI in Cybersecurity
- 05:30 – How AI is Shaping Threat Detection in SOCs
- 09:00 – Automation and AI: Practical Use Cases
- 15:00 – AI in Network Traffic Analysis
- 19:00 – The Future of SOC Operations with AI
Links:
Connect with our guest, John Hubbard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlhubbard/
Check out the SANS Cybersecurity Courses & Certifications: https://www.sans.org/cyber-security-courses/
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/