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 May 18, 2021
Tuesday May 18, 2021
In this episode, we brought back our good friend Lenny Zeltser. Lenny is Chief Information Security Officer at Axonius. He's developed a mindset of looking at security components as building blocks to create a holistic security environment. To this day, even while operating as an executive, he has wisdom that anyone can learn from.
Quite often, the less sexy aspects of information security are ignored, when in reality, you need to understand what resources you're supposed to protect, which assets are compromised, and the infrastructure for your organization. People jump right into fighting the big fires, and as you know, there is a reason why there are so many day-to-day urgent activities.
To start moving in a positive direction, Lenny shares this advice, “Understand what the major data sources you can tap into rather than thinking ‘let me create this one new way of serving everything I have are.’” The information is there. Think about three sources of information that might get you the biggest bang for the buck!
Key Takeaways:
0:00 Previously on the show
1:40 Lenny introduction
2:05 Episode begins
3:10 What Lenny is doing today
5:35 The evolution of Lenny’s career
8:30 Parallels between beginning and now
10:38 Journey and growth of REMnux
13:00 Challenges Lenny has faced
15:21 Collaboration surprises
17:18 Horror stories
20:18 Enforcing policies
23:34 Asset management
26:08 New tech and trends
28:45 Biggest discovery about self
32:38 Advice for others
34:24 Keeping up with Lenny
Links:
Learn more about Hacker Valley Studio
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Follow Hacker Valley Studio on Twitter
Follow Chris Cochran on Twitter
Tuesday May 18, 2021
Tuesday May 18, 2021
In this episode of Hacker Valley Blue, we brought in a guest who has been on a journey of transformation of self and technology. Our guest is Chani Simms, managing director of Meta Defence Labs. We talk about what is essential for cybersecurity. If there was a magic box that could solve an issue, what problem would Chani want solved? “People!” They need to be trained, and care, and have buy in. They must be devoted to what they’re doing. They need cultural awareness and support – it isn’t easy and the hardest job.
When it comes to leadership, organizations need to use people already in the organization. It is important to know what they’re trying to do. You have to use security as an enabler. Leadership is responsible for communicating objectives and goals.
Key Takeaways
0:00 Previously on Hacker Valley Blue
1:36 In this episode
3:10 Background and day job
5:37 Cyber essentials
13:46 Keeping up to date
15:26 Access control
17:07 Security hygiene
19:48 Magic box
21:32 Leadership fundamentals
26:22 Formula 1 analogy
28: 46 Wrap up
Links:
Email: info@metadefencelabs.com
Sponsored by Axonius
Tuesday May 18, 2021
Tuesday May 18, 2021
Know thy organization is key! Wise words from the powerful Marcus J. Carey. Don’t be afraid to admit the bad stuff and be honest about the situation. Most of the time people get fired because they are scared to admit the failure.
You have to build a tight network of people you trust who will be brutally honest with you. You need those people who are going to tell you the truth. Other people will see your superpowers before you do. Superman didn’t know he was different, but others saw the differences and the strengths he didn’t even realize he had. Always pay attention to how people react to what you do, then you will figure out what you are really good at. We over emphasize what we suck at and ignore what we are good at. Don’t do that. You need to understand how amazing, awesome and beautiful you are. Double down and double down hard. Do not be afraid to show your talents and be confident in your superpower.
In security, there is a role for everybody.
Key Takeaways:
1:40 In this episode
2:12 Welcome
3:40 Marcus background
4:57 What lead Marcus to cyber
7:09 Self discovery
9:48 Creations and inventions
14:22 Gathering and retaining information
17:53 Auxiliary skill
21:35 Abilities and mission
25:26 Overlooked areas
31:44 Advice to others
35:41 Staying up-to-date with Marcus
Links:
Learn more about Hacker Valley Studio
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Follow Hacker Valley Studio on Twitter
Tuesday May 18, 2021
Tuesday May 18, 2021
Welcome to Hacker Valley Blue Season 2 “Know Thyself”. Instead of focusing on the enemy – threat intelligence and environment, we are focusing on knowing yourself and security stack. You need to know the business, but also the fundamentals of security landscape. Without the fundamentals, you cannot reach the level of success you desire. Getting laser sharp on computer networks and how computers speak to each other. Without understanding how each of the pieces work together, you cannot make strategic decisions. We have many guests this season that will teach more about the fundamentals. Stop ignoring the fundamentals and find synchronicity among your team. Building this team makes an impact for the business. You will have positive outcomes. Stop sweeping the issues under the rug to make better decisions.
Cybersecurity is a lot like playing a game of chess using pieces, policies, and guidelines. Opponents use the same things but don’t play by the rules. You continually must up your game and face the opponent who isn’t playing fairly.
Knowing business, team, story and self is so important and that is what is coming up on the rest of the season.
Key Takeaways
0:00 Welcome
2:00 Kick-off
3:13 The fundamentals
5:46 How do you get people excited?
7:07 Making an impact on a business
8:43 Where does one begin to know thyself
10:32 Formula 1 analogy
12:32 Leadership
16:00 Superpowers
19:38 Three Rs of memory
24:58 Chaos engineering
27:56 The brother’s trip
30:11 Stepping into unknown
31:15 Play at work
32:00 Season recap
Links:
Learn more about Hacker Valley Studio
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Follow Hacker Valley Studio on Twitter
Follow Chris Cochran on Twitter
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
Imagine, for a moment, you’re driving for Uber, and one of your riders changes your life forever! That’s the story we are sharing with you. It's all about Kendrick Trotter, the entrepreneur that has had an incredible journey in technology. Kendrick talks to us about that and the relationship between sales and engineering.
Ron and Chris are glad to be back with Kendrick Trotter who is helping diversify technology through partnerships with top technology firms. He is excited and humbled to be part of this!
Kendrick shares his passion about Us in Technology. Their mission is “We are going to diversify the tech industry with more underrepresented people.” This is a very broad definition intentionally. People associate diversity to black or brown, but really, it is variety.
Us in Technology partner with people who have coachability, drive, intelligence, and integrity. He feels they are teaching these mentees to be an entrepreneur, not a worker.
Change won’t happen until influential positions are more diverse.
To stay in touch with Kendrick or to learn more, visit his website, LinkedIn or Instagram.
Thank you
Key Takeaways
0:00 Introduction to the show
1:03 Welcome back
2:06 Kendrick joins the show
2:44 Kendrick shares his background
6:17 Catalyst to the trajectory for Kendrick
9:18 Power of Networking
13:35 Complexities of sales and engineering
15:53 Maintaining confidence
18:32 Big lesson learned
21:18 Diversity in the industry
26: 37 Surprises along the way
30:03 When change happens
30:53 Advice to those wanting into tech
32:39 Best ways to stay in touch with Kendrick
33:20 Thank you
Links:
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.