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 Jan 07, 2025
Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
Most people think cybersecurity training is about knowledge, but what if motivation is the real key to success? David Shipley, CEO and Field CISO at Beauceron Security, shares how psychology and neuroscience reshape how we approach security awareness, reducing risks in ways tech alone never could.
In this episode, Ron and David examine why people, not technology, are at the core of effective cybersecurity. David teaches us about the SCARF model, warns us about the dangers of overconfidence in training, and explains how gamification can drive meaningful behavior change when it comes to cybersecurity awareness and risk reduction.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 – Introduction
02:00 – David Shipley’s journey from journalist to cybersecurity leader
06:10 – Why motivation outshines knowledge in security training
08:20 – The Dunning-Kruger effect: Overconfidence in cybersecurity
11:17 – How overreliance on tech increases click rates
17:03 – Cybercriminals’ evolving tactics and emotional manipulation
25:00 – Gamification in cybersecurity: Changing security behaviors
30:56 – Using the SCARF model to enhance security culture
39:45 – Emotional intelligence as a defense against AI threats
Links:
Connect with our guest, David Shipley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dbshipley/
Learn more about Beauceron Security here: www.beauceronsecurity.com/partner
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 Dec 24, 2024
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
How does a scorching July day in a van with no air conditioning lead to a career at one of the world’s top cybersecurity companies? In this episode, Cole Lisko shares his journey from landscaping to becoming the Cortex Team Manager at Palo Alto Networks.
Joined by his bestie Cole, Ron weaves the conversation through their history of friendship with laughs and lessons learned along the way. Discussing career pivots, unexpected opportunities, and the impact of mentorship, this conversation offers relatable motivation and a candid look at the power of meaningful connections.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 - Introduction
03:00 - Cole’s first exposure to cybersecurity
06:30 - Pivotal moment: a call for mentorship
11:40 - Breaking into cleared work
18:30 - Lessons learned at Booz Allen
22:00 - The art of work-life compartmentalization
27:45 - Leadership insights from landscaping days
32:50 - What’s next for Cole at Palo Alto Networks
Links:
Connect with our guest, Cole Lisko: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewlisko/
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 Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
What if the key to innovation is breaking the rules? Ted Harrington, Executive Partner at Independent Security Evaluators and a pioneering ethical hacker, explores the power of commitment, curiosity, creativity, and nonconformity to rethink cybersecurity and life itself. From hacking the first iPhone to disrupting misconceptions about security testing, Ted shows why the hacker mindset matters more now than ever.
Join Ron and Ted as they discuss strategies for using the hacker mindset to solve problems, address risks like AI-driven deepfakes, and uncover unconventional opportunities in both business and personal growth.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 - Intro
03:15 - The four traits of a hacker mindset
07:40 - Hacking the first iPhone and Tesla
11:50 - Why penetration testing is misunderstood
16:30 - Risks and realities of AI deepfakes
21:20 - Applying hacker traits to entrepreneurship
28:45 - Ted’s upcoming book: Inner Hacker
33:00 - Why mindset matters most
Links:
Connect with our guest, Ted Harrington: https://www.linkedin.com/in/securityted/
Order Ted Harrington’s book “Hackable” here: https://www.amazon.com/Hackable-How-Application-Security-Right-ebook/dp/B08MFTQ7Q4
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 Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
What happens when cutting-edge AI meets the art of deception? In this episode, Iain Jackson, Academy Hive Leader at CovertSwarm, takes us through the uncanny potential and risks of synthetic voices and AI in cybersecurity.
Together, Ron and Iain discuss how adversaries are using AI to bypass human intuition. From synthetic voice calls to automating phishing attacks at scale, this episode explores how hackers leverage technology using these tactics and what you can do to stay one step ahead.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 - Introduction
01:56 - Iain shares his journey with AI
03:29 - Demonstrating voice cloning in real-time
06:31 - Risks of automated synthetic voice attacks
09:46 - Impact of AI on social engineering tactics
11:00 - Importance of "vibe checks" in cybersecurity
15:17 - Real-world phishing and HR scam example
20:00 - Uncanny Valley: Defense against AI deception
23:37 - The future of AI in adversary emulation
Links:
Connect with our guest, Iain Jackson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iain-j-98578a238/
Learn more about CovertSwarm here: https://covertswarm.com/
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 Dec 03, 2024
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
What happens when cybersecurity puts people first? Julie Haney, Human-Centered Cybersecurity Program Lead at NIST, shares how designing security with humans at the center leads to greater adoption, reduced frustration, and stronger protection.
In this episode, Julie discusses how to improve user adoption by simplifying complex security processes, why empathy is a game-changer for effective security, and strategies for empowering people to feel confident and secure online. This conversation will inspire you to rethink how we protect people in the digital age and shares a fresh perspective on making cybersecurity work for all.
Impactful Moments:
00:00 - Introduction
07:15 - Breaking down barriers in user design
15:40 - Why empathy matters in cybersecurity solutions
21:05 - Challenges in bridging tech and humanity
28:30 - Designing systems with people, not just for them
35:10 - Practical steps to empower users in security
42:45 - Final reflections on human-centered innovation
Links:
Connect with our guest, Julie Haney here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-haney-037449119
Check out NIST’s Online Community of Interest here: https://csrc.nist.gov/Projects/human-centered-cybersecurity/hcc-coi
Learn more about Human-Centered Cybersecurity on NIST’s website here: https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/human-centered-cybersecurity
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/