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 Jun 14, 2022
Tuesday Jun 14, 2022
We invite Bob Kruse, Co-Founder and CEO of Revelstoke Security, down to Hacker Valley Studios this week to talk about his journey from investment banking to cybersecurity sales to owning and operating his company with Josh McCarthy. With a focus on communication and peoples skills, Bob discusses how to be a leader in the cybersecurity community, including building strong relationships with staff members, connecting with cyber experts, and developing successful security teams.
Timecoded Guide:
[03:40] Selling software to cybersecurity practitioners and managing the skepticism around marketing to an audience that’s taught to doubt and question
[08:12] Gaining inspiration for Revelstoke Security from the entrepreneurs in his family and his experience starting his cyber business with his partner Josh McCarthy
[12:51] What being an early-stage startup looked like for Revelstoke and lessons learned from their first pitches to cybersecurity investors
[15:01] Comparing and contrasting being someone in cybersecurity sales to being a CEO of his very own company
[20:58] Looking towards the future of Revelstoke Security as they expand into new markets and continue to build their business around providing solid cybersecurity jobs
Sponsor Links:
Thank you to our sponsors Axonius and Uptycs for bringing this episode to life!
Life is complex. But it’s not about avoiding challenges or fearing failure. Just ask Simone Biles — the greatest gymnast of all time. Want to learn more about how Simone controls complexity? Watch her video at axonius.com/simone.
With Uptycs, modern defenders can prioritize, investigate and respond to threats across the entire attack surface—all from a common solution: uptycs.com.
Were there any speculations like, "Hey, can this guy really go from sales to being a CEO at a tech company?"
Bob’s focus throughout his career in cybersecurity has completely revolved around sales. From his first cybersecurity role at Oracle Corporation to his recent position at Demisto, Bob’s prominence and impact on the cyber industry has always had sales at the center. Co-founding Revelstoke, Bob encountered skepticism and wariness from investors, curious if he would be able to transition into a cybersecurity CEO. Thanks to his knack for knowledge and his confident partner Josh, Bob has defied expectations and built up his own confidence in his new role.
“It's about having a co-founder that compliments you, that you can implicitly trust, and implicitly trusts you. You can have the best technology in the world and the best idea in the world, but if you don't have a trusted relationship…it's not going to be successful.”
Between your previous life in sales, and now, being a founder and CEO, what are some of the parallels?
With so much experience in sales on his resume, we were curious which parts of Bob’s journey to CEO were similar to previous positions he’s held. It turns out, just like we’ve discussed on Hacker Valley Red, communication has been a key element no matter Bob’s position in cyber. No matter who he’s talking to, or what side of the house he’s marketing towards, people skills continue to be his forte. Being able to have discussions with employees, investors, and potential clients relies heavily on honest authentic communication skills, even though his business knowledge has had to grow immensely since becoming CEO.
“Today, I still lean on my people skills, and over-communicate. I try to have one-on-ones with everybody in the company. I welcome every new hire we have, and it's increasingly important, obviously, as we have a widely distributed team.”
Where has your focus on introductions and networking come from?
We know Bob as an introduction master, and he’s even helped us with meeting some of the biggest guests we’ve invited to Hacker Valley. With so many cyber security experts in his network from all corners of the cybersecurity industry, we had to ask Bob where he learned the value of making those connections. It turns out— it’s always been that way for Bob Kruse, from the days of his early childhood working at his father’s business. Connecting others, communicating with them, and learning how to help has been his passion for his entire life.
“When somebody needs your help, it's a compliment. I've always found it as a compliment in that I have something they don't, and I can impart on them some sort of an introduction, or a reference, or some knowledge.”
What impact or impression are you hoping to leave on the world with Revelstoke?
There are a lot of cybersecurity startups that make their way down to Hacker Valley, but Revelstoke Security seems like a different breed, with a strong staff at its core— so strong that they’ve only grown since they began and have yet to lose a single employee. With an impact like that on the cyber job market, we asked Bob what he sees on the horizon for Revelstoke. He made it clear: more jobs. Success, for Bob and Josh at Revelstoke, relies on building strong teams and providing the right jobs for those team members and their families.
“Success…is starting a company and providing jobs for people, jobs that never existed before you decided to start a company. I want my legacy to be somebody that not only started a successful company financially, but that employed a lot of people and supported a lot of families.”
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Links:
Stay in touch with Bob Kruse on LinkedIn and the Business Journal Leadership Trust website.
Learn more about Revelstoke Security on their website.
Connect with Ron Eddings on LinkedIn and Twitter
Connect with Chris Cochran on LinkedIn and Twitter
Purchase a HVS t-shirt at our shop
Continue the conversation by joining our Discord
Check out Hacker Valley Media and Hacker Valley Studio
Tuesday Jun 07, 2022
Tuesday Jun 07, 2022
In the turbulent world of cybersecurity, it can be difficult to not get caught up in the emotions of it all. Fear uncertainty, doubt...not to mention, burnout. It's not surprising cybersecurity is often seen as being a highly stressful field. But is it possible we may be addressing and interpreting our emotions, as practitioners, in the wrong way? Ron and Chris are joined by author and coach, Sherianna Boyle, to talk about the role that emotions play in our daily lives and how to process them correctly. In this episode, Sherianna walks us through:
-What goes into emotional detoxing
-The difference between reaction and emotion
-How breathwork can transform your life
Sponsor Links:
Thank you to our sponsors Axonius and Uptycs for bringing this episode to life!
Life is complex. But it’s not about avoiding challenges or fearing failure. Just ask Simone Biles — the greatest gymnast of all time. Want to learn more about how Simone controls complexity? Watch her video at axonius.com/simone
With Uptycs, modern defenders can prioritize, investigate and respond to threats across the entire attack surface—all from a common solution uptycs.com/ Be sure to stop by their booth #435 at RSA 2022
Guest Bio:
Sherianna Boyle is an author of nine books including, Emotional Detox Now: 135 Self-Guided Practices to Renew Your Mind, Heart & Body. She is also the founder of the CLEANSE Method® Emotional Detox Coaching® Cleanse Yoga® servicing clients, businesses, healthcare providers and educators worldwide, virtually or on site. You can hear more from Sherianna, and her work, on her show Emotional Detox Now Podcast.
Links:
Stay in touch with Sherianna Boyle on LinkedIn and Twitter
Connect with Ron Eddings on LinkedIn and Twitter
Connect with Chris Cochran on LinkedIn and Twitter
Purchase a HVS t-shirt at our shop
Continue the conversation by joining our Discord
Check out Hacker Valley Media and Hacker Valley Studio
Tuesday May 31, 2022
Tuesday May 31, 2022
Making an impact in the cybersecurity community as a content creator is no easy task! Just ask Derek Scheller, aka The Cyber Warrior. Derek joins hosts Ron and Chris to talk about how he brings his unique personality and positive messages to inspire folks within, and breaking into, cyber. In this this episode, Derek shares:
- His passion to inspire and motivate others
- How to make your content stand out
- How the WWE has inspired his unique persona
- His thoughts on vulnerability and being authentically yourself
- Tips for making impactful and sticky content
Check out Ron and Chris’ interview with The Cyber Warrior on Security Happy Hour, here!
Sponsor Links:
Thank you to our sponsors Axonius and Uptycs for bringing this episode to life!
Life is complex. But it’s not about avoiding challenges or fearing failure. Just ask Simone Biles — the greatest gymnast of all time. Want to learn more about how Simone controls complexity? Watch her video at axonius.com/simone
With Uptycs, modern defenders can prioritize, investigate and respond to threats across the entire attack surface—all from a common solution Uptycs.com Be sure to stop by their booth #435 at RSA 2022
Guest Bio:
Derek Scheller is a Senior Security Consultant for Seiso, LLC. In 2017, he retired from the US Army as a Cyber Network Defender and worked in both defensive and offensive operations. When he is not helping clients with their security needs, he is a content creator that aims to help as many people as possible enter the cyber security space. You can find him on YouTube Twitch, LinkedIn, and Facebook under Cyber Warrior Studios, where he posts weekly.
Links:
Stay in touch with Derek Scheller with Cyber Warrior Studios on LinkedIn and Twitter
Connect with Ron Eddings on LinkedIn and Twitter
Connect with Chris Cochran on LinkedIn and Twitter
Purchase a HVS t-shirt at our shop
Continue the conversation by joining our Discord
Check out more from Hacker Valley Media and Hacker Valley Studio
Wednesday May 25, 2022
Wednesday May 25, 2022
Life is full of complexity -- just ask adaptive athlete Amy Bream, this episode's special guest. She was born with one leg, but that didn’t stop her from growing up to become a kickboxer. In 2021, she competed in the CrossFit Games, placing in the top five. And in 2022, she came in first at Wodapalooza — one of the biggest fitness competitions in the world. The key to her success? Controlling what she can. Join her, Ron and Chris as they discuss:
-How self perception shapes how others interact with you
-The power of showing up and believing in yourself
-Amy’s viral moment at the CrossFit Games
-Her partnership with Axonius
-Her advice for those struggling to show up in life
Check out Amy's Controlling Complexity video, presented by Axonius: axonius.com/amybream
Sponsor:
Thank you to our Axonius, for bringing this episode to life!
Life is complex, but it’s not about avoiding challenges or fearing failure. Just ask Simone Biles — the greatest gymnast of all time. Want to learn more about how Simone controls complexity? Watch her video at axonius.com/simone
Links:
Visit Amy Bream on Instagram
Connect with Ron Eddings on LinkedIn and Twitter
Connect with Chris Cochran on LinkedIn and Twitter
Purchase a HVS t-shirt at our shop
Continue the conversation by joining our Discord
Check out Hacker Valley Media and Hacker Valley Studio
Tuesday May 24, 2022
Tuesday May 24, 2022
The metaverse seems to be the hottest thing in technology today. From virtual environments to avatars, our lives are being digitized more and more. Is there even a reason to go outside anymore? Robin Thurston, CEO of Outside Inc., built his entire company around this very question. What's even more interesting is that he is using web3 technology to help get people reacquainted with the great outdoors. In this episode, Ron and Chris chat with Robin about:
- Why Outside decided to create the Outerverse
- How the Outerverse is aimed at getting people outside
- What the Outerverse entails (i.e. NFT marketplace, tokens, creator platform)
- What this means for the future of outdoor content/outdoor content creators
Sponsor Links:
Thank you to our sponsors Axonius and Uptycs for bringing this episode to life!
Life is complex. But it’s not about avoiding challenges or fearing failure. Just ask Simone Biles — the greatest gymnast of all time. Want to learn more about how Simone controls complexity? Watch her video at axonius.com/simone
With Uptycs, modern defenders can prioritize, investigate and respond to threats across the entire attack surface—all from a common solution Uptycs.com Be sure to stop by their booth #435 at RSA 2022
Guest Bio:
Before joining Outside (previously Pocket Outdoor Media), he ran a consumer genetics company called Helix in Silicon Valley before returning to his home state of Colorado. Prior to Helix, Robin co-founded and built MapMyFitness into one of the world’s largest open fitness tracking platforms. Following the acquisition of MapMyFitness by Under Armour, he joined the innovative sports apparel organization and served as Chief Digital Officer, where he led the overall strategic direction of the company’s Connected Fitness and eCommerce business.
Robin spent the first ten years of his career building a mutual fund classification and ratings platform at Lipper (a Thomson Reuters Company), as well as a risk and compensation platform at both American Century Investments and Wellington Management. He graduated with a MS in Finance from University of Colorado at Denver and lives with his wife and three children in Boulder, Co. He is a lifelong cyclist who started riding and racing in the early 1980’s.
Links:
Stay in touch with Robin Thurston on LinkedIn and Twitter
Visit Outside Inc website
Visit the Outerverse
Connect with Ron Eddings on LinkedIn and Twitter
Connect with Chris Cochran on LinkedIn and Twitter
Purchase a HVS t-shirt at our shop
Continue the conversation by joining our Discord
Check out Hacker Valley Media and Hacker Valley Studio