Episode 124 - The Learning Leader with Allan Alford

Episode 124 - The Learning Leader with Allan Alford

Introducing the Cyber Ranch Podcast and Allan Alford!

Allan Alford is currently the Chief Technology Officer/Chief Information Security Officer at TrustMAPP. Allan Alford is a member of the Hacker Valley family and has launched a new show called the Cyber Ranch Podcast. Allan has been a CISO at a number of different companies and has a wealth of knowledge in Cybersecurity. Has about 20 years of Cybersecurity and has a background in product security.

Allan is a tinkerer and a second generation information security practitioner. His father was a systems operator/administrator who specialized in Systems Security, his father brought their first IBM PC into the house while Allan was in middle school. Since that moment, Allan has always been interested in technology and had a group of friends who had the brand new tools of the time like the TI-99, TRS-80, IBM PC and Apple IIe. He and his friends were porting and writing games, hacking and war dialing. Allan’s mother was a school teacher and had house rules about television time, and so with an hour of TV a week Allan’s primary form of entertainment was reading.

In high school Allan took a creative writing class where he found a passion for storytelling and reading novels. Before entering college Allan was confident in his technology skills and decided that studying Humanities would make a greater impact for him. While studying, Allan learned that there were many parallels between the study of humanities and technology. There was a vocabulary, grammar, and structure by which things operated that had a consistent set of rules. Allan learned that the correct application of grammar and vocabulary helped all things work properly.

As the episode progresses, Allan shares while reading books, articles or other word based sources there’s a sort of internal voice that is within his mind that reads the words ‘out loud,’ however once he’s immersed in the book or text that the subvocalization fades and there’s a much more immediate type of onboarding of the information, the non-conscious reading voice. Chris shares that he describes this as the flow of learning. Allan also speaks of lucking into a prime slot on the KTCU college radio station and how he found his groove djing by deconstructing threads of music. He would put together his set by starting with a popular song and tracing it back from influence and inspirations.

Allan also shares his thoughts on the importance of networking - And not all networking starting points being equal. With his success now he tries to create bridges and conversations through his network that promote the exchange of ideas and further conversations for people, Allan is hoping to do the same with his podcast - The Cyber Ranch. Professionally he’s embarking on a new journey as the Chief Technology Officer at TrustMapp and is currently learning how to be a great producer of Security technologies.

Impactful Moments During the Show

0:00 - Welcome back to the Hacker Valley Studio!

01:30 - Welcome back to the Hacker Valley studio and welcome to the Cyber Ranch podcast

02:30 - Allan’s Professional Adventuring Card

03:00 - Allan’s tinkering background and a second generation info security professional

04:30 - Writing and porting video games as a youth, growing up as a STEM kid

05:35 - Creative writing opening the world to storytelling

06:50 - Going to college already knowing about Computer Science

08:40 - Practices and techniques for learning rapidly and staying sharp

10:30 - Understanding the fields of vocabulary and grammar

11:56 - Conscious reading voice, non-conscious reading voice and flow

14:14 - From reading to producing work that people could consume

16:00 - DJ Deconstruction, how Allan put together a primetime radio set on KTCU

17:00 - Networking without inherited connections

19:20 - How networking works for Allan now

22:20 - Networking misunderstood, the traps of the output side

24:00 - Allan’s 70/30 rule for career advancement

25:30 - CISO and CTO parallels

27:30 - What motivated Allan to start his own cyber security podcast

29:30 - For someone entering the Cybersecurity world from a non-technical background

Links

Connect with Allan on LinkedIn Allan Alford - CISO & CTO - TrustMAPP

Check out The Cyber Ranch Podcast!

Learn more about Hacker Valley Studio.

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 AttackIQ and enroll in The AttackIQ Academy!

Episoder(405)

Coding by Vibe: The Future of AI-Built Security with Ron Eddings

Coding by Vibe: The Future of AI-Built Security with Ron Eddings

When code meets intuition, innovation gets personal. But what happens when we let AI vibe with our ideas? In this episode, Ron Eddings covers the rise of AI-driven development from Vibe Coding, where natural language shapes real code, to the emerging Model Context Protocols (MCPs) that redefine how apps talk to AI. He breaks down the recent Figma MCP vulnerability to discuss how creativity and security now collide in surprising ways. With hands-on insights using Raycast and practical steps for building responsibly, Ron takes you inside a new era where human intuition and machine intelligence truly build together.     Impactful Moments 00:00 - Introduction 01:00 - The Figma vulnerability explained 03:00 - Why MCP security matters 05:00 - What vibe coding really means 07:00 - Writing with intention and context 08:00 - The power of structured prompting 10:00 - How MCP connects everything 12:00 - Why adoption is skyrocketing 15:00 - Setting up an MCP server 17:00 - Agents, actions, and security trust 19:00 - The real takeaway: curiosity with caution 30:00 - Predictions on OpenAI’s upcoming browser 33:00 - The profit battle between OpenAI and Microsoft 35:00 - Windsurf’s rollercoaster of acquisitions   Links: Connect with our Ron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldeddings/ Check out the Hacker News article here:  https://thehackernews.com/2025/10/severe-figma-mcp-vulnerability-lets.html?m=1   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/

24 Okt 202520min

Learning How to Learn: Mastering the Cyber Fundamentals with Rich Greene

Learning How to Learn: Mastering the Cyber Fundamentals with Rich Greene

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16 Okt 202525min

How AI Elevates Cyber Hygiene with Jason Rebholz

How AI Elevates Cyber Hygiene with Jason Rebholz

What if protecting your digital twin becomes the new cyber hygiene? In this week's episode, Ron welcomes back cybersecurity leader Jason Rebholz, CEO of Evoke, to discuss how AI is reshaping the fundamentals of cyber hygiene. From data breaches and deepfakes to everyday habits that protect our digital lives, Jason shares how small actions and smarter use of AI can make all the difference. Together, they uncover how our growing digital footprints are giving rise to digital twins, AI replicas that can mirror our behaviors, voices, and even decisions, and what that means for the future of trust, identity, and security. Impactful Moments: 00:00 - Introduction 01:00 - The Neon app data leak story 03:00 - Why our voices are the new passwords 05:00 - How AI can strengthen cyber hygiene 07:00 - Jason’s mission to secure AI systems 09:00 - AI as a force multiplier for defenders 11:00 - Deepfakes and the new social engineering playbook 13:00 - Attackers’ use of AI and what it means for us 15:00 - The rise of digital twins and identity threats 19:00 - How to defend against “yourself” online 20:00 - Final reflection: Trust in the AI age   Links: Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrebholz/ Check out the TechCrunch article on the Neon app data leak story: https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/25/viral-call-recording-app-neon-goes-dark-after-exposing-users-phone-numbers-call-recordings-and-transcripts/   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/

10 Okt 202521min

Securing Software at AI Speed with Varun Badhwar

Securing Software at AI Speed with Varun Badhwar

The biggest security threat isn’t in the cloud, it’s hidden in the code you trust the most. In this episode, Ron sits down with Varun Badhwar, Co-Founder & CEO of Endor Labs, who shares why research shows that nearly 80–90% of application code comes from open source and third-party libraries, not your own developers. Varun discusses the unseen risks of AI-generated software, how attackers can now weaponize vulnerabilities in hours, and why precision in security matters more than ever. He also reveals how AI can be both the ultimate accelerator and the ultimate weakness in modern development.   Impactful Moments: 00:00 - Introduction 02:00 - Varun’s journey from RedLock to Endor Labs 04:00 - Why the software supply chain is broken 07:00 - AI coding assistants and insecure code risks 10:00 - The NPM self-replicating worm discovery 13:00 - Simple controls to enforce Zero Trust in code 16:00 - Pairing AI with security to prevent slop 19:00 - AI-powered security code reviews explained 22:00 - Why 88% of code goes unused 26:00 - Developer efficiency as the new security metric 29:00 - The next wave of AI-driven software threats   Links: Connect with our Endor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vbadhwar/     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/

2 Okt 202534min

The End of Search and the Rise of AI Browsers and Voices with Ron Eddings

The End of Search and the Rise of AI Browsers and Voices with Ron Eddings

Search engines aren’t dying quietly, they’re being replaced in real time by AI browsers and voice agents. AI isn’t just answering questions anymore; it’s acting for us. In this episode, Ron Eddings explores how tools like NanoBrowser and Comet are reshaping browsing, why Google may be in trouble, and how AI voices are becoming the new interface for productivity. From breakthroughs to risks, this is a front-row look at how AI agents are changing how we work, connect, and live online.   Impactful Moments: 00:00 - Introduction 01:00 - AI agents as everyday tools 02:00 - Testing AI-powered browsers 03:00 - Comet: AI browser from Perplexity 04:30 - Why Google should be worried 05:30 - Real-world tasks for AI browsers 07:00 - Automating cybersecurity inventory 09:00 - Comet in action on LinkedIn 10:00 - Testing for malicious exploits 11:00 - Risks of persuasive AI prompts 12:00 - The rise of voice agents 13:30 - First real-world AI voice experience 15:00 - Security concerns with customer data 16:30 - Double-edged sword of AI adoption 17:30 - System prompt leakage vulnerabilities 18:00 - Why voice could shrink attack surfaces Links: Connect with Ron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldeddings/   Check out NanoBrowser: https://nanobrowser.ai/ Check out Comet by Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/comet Read the article ‘No more links, no more scrolling - the browser is becoming an AI Agent.’ here: https://venturebeat.com/ai/no-more-links-no-more-scrolling-the-browser-is-becoming-an-ai-agent Read the article ‘How Voice AI Prompt Injection Threatens Enterprise Security’ here: https://www.teneo.ai/blog/how-voice-ai-prompt-injection-threatens-enterprise-security   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/

25 Sep 202518min

Where Automation Ends, Cyber Ingenuity Begins with Phillip Wylie

Where Automation Ends, Cyber Ingenuity Begins with Phillip Wylie

Some tools replace tasks. Others reshape the way we think about security. In this episode, Ron welcomes back Phillip Wylie, one of the most respected voices in offensive security, author, educator, and longtime friend of the Hacker Valley community. With over 27 years of experience across cybersecurity disciplines, Phillip has guided thousands of professionals through his books, talks, and mentorship. He shares how AI is reshaping pen testing and red teaming, the value of automating away repetitive tasks, and why the fundamentals of security will always matter. From defining red teaming in 2025 to guiding newcomers on how to break in, Phillip delivers insights that balance cutting-edge innovation with timeless wisdom. Impactful Moments: 00:00 - Introduction 01:00 - Why Phillip keeps podcasting 03:00 - AI opportunities in pen testing 04:30 - What automation should replace 06:00 - Red teaming vs pen testing in 2025 08:00 - Defining adversary emulation 10:40 - Building the ideal AI assistant 15:00 - The best AI use cases today 18:30 - AI-driven threat modeling 21:00 - Breaking into pen testing now 25:00 - Building a portfolio and personal brand 27:30 - Why in-person networking still matters   Links: Connect with Phillip on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipwylie/   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/

18 Sep 202533min

The Power of Showing Up: Daily Streams, Big Impact with Gerald Auger

The Power of Showing Up: Daily Streams, Big Impact with Gerald Auger

What if showing up with consistency could spark opportunities, create careers, and build a global movement? In this episode, Ron sits down with Gerald Auger, Ph.D., cybersecurity educator, content creator, and founder of Simply Cyber. Gerald shares how his daily livestream grew into a thriving community, why consistency is the key to influence, and how AI is reshaping the way cyber professionals work. From building SimplyCyberCon to launching a new pentesting venture, Gerry’s journey is a masterclass in community, creativity, and courage. This episode is filled with inspiration and practical takeaways for anyone ready to grow their career, brand, or business in cybersecurity.

11 Sep 202534min

The Rise of the Autonomous Blue Team with Vineet Edupuganti

The Rise of the Autonomous Blue Team with Vineet Edupuganti

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4 Sep 202537min

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