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
Jul 20, 2021
Jul 20, 2021
38 min
In this episode, we speak to a Detection and Response expert! Our guest is Nick Hakmiller, Senior Engineering Manager at Panther Labs.
Nick was first exposed to technology in High School where he took an introduction to Visual Basic programming course. When learning about multi-threaded applications Nick became curious and began exploring how to open too many threads to crash a computer. Throughout Nick’s career he’s maintained an interest and focus on attack techniques and building defensive security programs.
On occasions, security controls may fail to catch an attacker. A detection is logic that is applied to logs, security controls, and alerts to notify teams and automated processes. Nick describes Python as an exceptional programming language to apply detections and create detections as code.
Nick describes many aspects of security as an engineering problem. As organizations transform and adopt new technologies, security issues arise and evolve. Nick describes that the team’s that are most successful with applying detection as code have chosen to view security as a function that engineering should participate in and help solve.
As an organization’s security program matures, Nick mentions that the most impactful detections will likely be written and created by someone within the organization. For instance, creating a detection that defines which users should have access to sensitive data is likely to be created by a member of the organization with knowledge of team structure.
Towards the end of the episode, Nick shares his wisdom to any practitioner that wants to step into the role of creating detections and providing impact while doing so.
Key Takeaways
0:00 - Welcome Back to the Hacker Valley Studio Podcast!
2:29 - Nick Hakmiller, Senior Engineering Manager at Panther Labs
4:20 - How Nick became interested in technology
6:00 - What is a detection?
7:25 - How detection as code applies to cybersecurity and software engineering
10:11 - Prerequisites to consider before applying detection as code
12:27 - Thinking beyond out of the box solutions and applying detections
15:54 - Categories of detections and which are most impactful
23:45 - Reducing alerts by engineering efforts
27:40 - Is it possible to automate everything for security?
32:56 - Advice on getting started with creating detections
Keep in touch with Nick Hakmiller on LinkedIn
Reach out to Nick on Panther’s Community Slack
Stay up to date with Nick’s work by viewing Panther Analysis
Learn more about Panther Labs
Jul 15, 2021
Jul 15, 2021
26 min
Today’s guests are our very own hosts! Ron and Chris. Together they tackle everything that surrounds threat intelligence by answering both the hard and easy questions.
Between the stories they share about past experiences, and the facts behind threat intelligence, you will learn something new, and that’s a promise!
In essence, threat intelligence is taking the information about threats or things that can go wrong and applying it to their network and company. It’s the processing, collection and analyzation of data to understand threat actors, motives, targets and attack behaviors.
Key Takeaways
1:10 Episode starts
2:39 Threat intelligence
3:00 Ron & Chris share what threat intelligence means to them
6:33 Organizations and threat intelligence
8:39 Back in the day
12:54 Benefits of threat intelligence
15:08 Skills needed to be in threat intelligence
19:22 Networking
23:34 E.A.S.Y.
Links:
Email Ron & Chris
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon. Follow Hacker Valley Studio on Twitter.
Follow hosts Ron Eddings and Chris Cochran on Twitter.
Jul 13, 2021
Jul 13, 2021
33 min
Today in the studio, we have Olivia Herriford, whose great and exceptional work is focused on equity in technology. Olivia is the Regional Director and Employer Engagement at Bay Area Community College Consortium.
Olivia’s background is in technology, and with the Bay Area Community College Consortium, they support 28 community colleges in the San Francisco Bay region. She often tells people she has what one would call an “ancient” computer science degree which she earned in 1973. Olivia takes us back to what it was like to be a black woman in the mid-70s working with hardware and software engineers in the area of hardware design. Sadly, she experienced a rather hostile work environment.
In today’s world, Olivia believes one of the best things we can do for reaching out to younger people is instill confidence. These young people do not need to be swayed by comparing themselves to others, but rather realize we all bring something unique to the table. Everyone needs to understand their own capabilities and power.
Key Takeaways:
2:26 Olivia’s background
6:38 How Olivia ended up where she is
15:45 How do we change the environment
17:17 Progress & future
20:42 Making an impact
23:04 Cultivating conversations
26:22 Equity in technology
29:08 Advice for awareness
32:35 Connecting with Olivia
Links:
Olivia on LinkedIn
Olivia on YouTube
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon. Follow Hacker Valley Studio on Twitter.
Follow hosts Ron Eddings and Chris Cochran on Twitter.
Sponsored by Panther Labs
Jul 6, 2021
Jul 6, 2021
40 min
Welcome back to the Hacker Valley Studio podcast. I'm sure you've heard of the term personal brand, and maybe you've asked yourself, what does it mean and how do I promote it. In this episode, we speak to someone that helps others develop their personal brand. We speak to Stephen Hart, entrepreneur, marketer, and brand strategist. We've known Stephen since way back. He's been a huge supporter, and someone that's helped develop our podcast and our branding. And this episode is nothing but pure gold and entertainment. Can't wait for everyone to listen. Let's jump right into it.
Our guest this episode is Stephen Hart. Stephen is the founder of Isles Media LLC, creator of Brand in Demand, and podcast host of Trailblazers.fm. podcast. Stephen always starts conversations off from a place of gratitude. He is grateful for his daughters, who have given him a “home base to run everything through. Beyond that, his is a Marketer and a podcast host for the last five, five and a half years. He is a brand strategist and the creator of an amazing program that he will talk about in a bit here.
Listen in as Stephen gives some great tips, and a special invitation.
00:59 Welcome and Intro to Steven Hart
2:16 Steven shares his background
3:45 Become a brand in demand
6:06 Creating a digital footprint
8:15 Desire to start a podcast
9:08 Share others success through Trailblazers.fm
10:00 Creating a course for others
11:23 Brand Management
13:05 Business Digital Footprint vs. Personal footprint
14:39 Brand does not equal logo
16:55 Recreating himself
18:26 Getting clear on goals
19:55 Lacking clarity & how to get clear
24:00 Foundation to your vision
27:10 Entrepreneurship can live simultaneously with employment
30:46 Investment vs. spending
32:45 Getting started on your own vision
35:00 Who do you want to serve?
37:47 Discount for Hacker Valley Tribe
Stephen Hart on LinkedIn
Stephen Hart on Twitter
Stephen Hart on Instagram
Visit Stephen on his website, stephenahart.com
Join Brand in Demand, brandindemand.co Coupon code: hackervalley200
Hacker Valley website, hackervalley.com
Hacker Valley Studio on LinkedIn
Hacker Valley Studio on Twitter
Hacker Valley Studio on Instagram
Sponsored by AttackIQ
Jun 29, 2021
Jun 29, 2021
30 min
It has been way too long in the making. But it's finally here! We have Hacker Valley merchandise available! We have shirts, we have hats, we have sweatshirts that you can purchase.
You are in the Hacker Valley Studio with your hosts Ron and Chris. Welcome back to the show. Today in the studio, we've brought in Nikki Ivey. Nikki is a B2B revenue growth and startup culture leader. She's recognized as a 2020 LinkedIn top voice, and she is the co-founder of SDR Defenders community.
For those that want to get to know Nikki and understand where she come from and what she is up to today, Nikki shares she works with Fortune 500 companies to help them make their outsides match their insides. In short, she helps folks close a gap, so everybody has access to a greater sense of belonging and purpose in the work that they do.
Sadly, Nikki started down this path because she felt she often did not belong or was not often treated like she belonged. Her mom says her first full sentence was, “That's not fair.” She actually studied broadcasting and journalism but then discovered that tech sales was an outlet for all of those things that she cared about.
Nikki cares deeply about culture and has experienced so many issues as she has gone through her career. The one thing she would love to change is people not being the gatekeepers rather be stewards.
Nikki has a lot of advice on “cancelling the cold call” and making connections. She is full of beautiful ideas to make everyone, from top to bottom in a company feel included, important and connected.
Key Takeaways:
:58 Episode starts with Ron and Chris
1:40 Nikki shares her background
2:55 Bringing people into the fold
5:18 Culture issues
7:57 Nikki’s superpower
10:00 Making connections
14:20 Doubling down
19:09 Being genuine
23:11 Building your brand
26:54 Final piece of advice from Nikki
Links:
Nikki on LinkedIn
Nikki on Instagram
Nikki on Twitter
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon. Follow Hacker Valley Studio on Twitter.
Follow hosts Ron Eddings and Chris Cochran on Twitter.
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