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
Friday Feb 21, 2025
Friday Feb 21, 2025
What if you could have a conversation with yourself—years into the future? Or leave behind an AI-powered avatar that understands your thoughts, philosophies, and even your voice? In this episode, we explore the mind-blowing potential of AI and its impact on cybersecurity, productivity, and even legacy.
Pedram Amini, Chief Scientist at OPSWAT, joins Ron Eddings to discuss his journey from bootstrapped startups to AI-driven innovation. Together they cover topics like the role of AI in cybersecurity, the rise of fake identities in hiring, the ethics of AI-generated content, and why mastering AI tools is no longer optional—it's essential. Pedram shares his workflow for superhuman productivity, his thoughts on deepfakes, and how AI is reshaping how we work and communicate.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 - Introduction
02:00 - Meet Pedram Amini, cyber innovator
03:07 - The $17M North Korea insider threat case
06:00 - Fake job candidates and AI hiring scams
09:28 - Deepfakes and AI-driven deception
14:00 - Future of AI-powered personal assistants
20:49 - The reality of bootstrapping vs. VC funding
26:00 - AI in cybersecurity: risk or revolution?
31:00 - “AI isn’t taking your job—someone using AI is”
35:00 - The ultimate AI-powered legacy project
Links:
Connect with our guest, Pedram Amini: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedramamini/
Check out the entire article about the $17M North Korea insider threat case here: https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/12/arizona_woman_laptop_farm_guilty/
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/
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
There’s no doubt that AI is changing the game in cybersecurity, but not always in the ways we expect.
In this episode, Ron Eddings shares his firsthand experience with AI-powered tools that make him a cyber superhero—when they work. From automating security tasks to turbocharging programming workflows, AI is proving its value, but also revealing its limits. Through live walkthroughs and real-world examples, he showcases how AI automates security tasks, accelerates programming, and enhances research—while also showing why some cybersecurity actions should stay human-led.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 - Introduction
02:00 - The good and bad of AI in security
04:00 - Google’s AI weapons controversy
06:30 - Deepfake scams and AI-powered phishing
09:00 - How AI helps (and fails) at programming
12:00 - Automating security research with AI
18:00 - AI-generated meeting notes & productivity hacks
21:00 - What AI should NEVER do
23:00 - The future of AI in cybersecurity
Links:
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 Feb 04, 2025
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
What if cybersecurity was more than just tech—what if it was about the people it serves? In this episode, Edna Conway, Founder and CEO of EMC Advisors, shares her incredible journey from law to cybersecurity and explores the human element often overlooked in technology.
Recorded live at InfoSec Nashville 2024, Edna discusses the intersection of innovation and tradition, the critical role of accuracy in AI, and her vision for cybersecurity's future. From anomaly detection to the wisdom of creating "enclaves," her insights remind us that tech is here to serve people, not the other way around.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 – Introduction
01:22 – Keynote insights: Innovation meets tradition
02:39 – From prosecutor to cybersecurity leader
07:00 – Human-first approach to AI and security
11:40 – LLMs in cybersecurity: opportunities and accuracy
16:34 – Balancing risk with AI use in business
23:06 – Bringing diverse talent into cybersecurity
32:30 – Advice on leadership and collaboration
Links:
Connect with our guest, Edna Conway: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ednaconway/
Learn more about ISSA Middle TN here: https://issamidtn.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 Jan 28, 2025
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
Did you know nearly half of your enterprise devices are agentless—leaving your attack surface wide open? In this episode, Ron is joined by Pandian Gnanaprakasam, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Ordr, to discuss the critical risks posed by agentless devices and how orchestration can strengthen your defenses.
Pandian shares key findings from Ordr’s 2024 "Rise of the Machines" report, highlighting the risks of overlooked agentless devices. He covers the rapid growth of these devices, strategies to manage vulnerabilities, and how automation can strengthen your defenses.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 - Introduction
04:15 - Why agentless devices dominate the next decade
06:30 - Insights from Ordr's “Rise of the Machines” report
08:50 - Hidden risks: 42% of devices are agentless
11:15 - Solving the "Swiss cheese" problem of security gaps
14:30 - Prioritizing vulnerabilities with business context
18:10 - Orchestration vs. automation: The harmony difference
22:00 - Why visibility is the foundation of security
27:30 - Ordr’s unique approach to securing the attack surface
Links:
Connect with our guest, Pandian Gnanaprakasam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gpandian/
Check out Ordr’s Rise of the Machines report here: https://ordr.net/resources/rise-of-the-machines-report-2024
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/
Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
What if cybersecurity training could be as engaging as your favorite game? In this episode, Simeon Kakpovi, founder of the KC7 Foundation, shares how his gamified approach is changing lives and reshaping the cybersecurity pipeline by making cybersecurity education accessible.
From his journey as a threat hunter to building a free online game that teaches real-world blue team skills, Simeon joins Ron to show how creativity and inclusion can unlock potential in unexpected places. Plus, listen to the remarkable story about how a watchmaker with no cyber background landed a dream job at Microsoft—all thanks to KC7.
Impactful Moments
00:00 - Introduction
01:11 - The evolution of cybersecurity
03:03 - Cybersecurity Mergers & Acquisitions
05:38 - Meet our guest: Simeon Kakpovi of KC7 Foundation
06:00 - KC7 wins “Team of the Year” at the SANS DMAs
8:43 - Founding the KC7 Foundation
10:00 - Lessons from Lockheed Martin’s Cyber Analyst Challenge
11:46 - How KC7 gamifies real-world cybersecurity
14:52 - Bringing KC7 to high school and middle school students
16:52 - Expanding access to cybersecurity careers
25:09 - A watchmaker’s journey to Microsoft
34:00 - How to get started with KC7
Links
Connect with our guest, Simeon Kakpovi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kakpovi/
Check out the Cybersecurity M&A Roundup Article here: https://www.securityweek.com/cybersecurity-ma-roundup-37-deals-announced-in-december-2024/
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/