Episode 104 - Analyzing the Enemy with Robin Black

It’s a classic technologist conundrum: Should I build or buy the solution I need to solve a problem? The “Build vs. Buy” conundrum is faced by technology teams worldwide. To help approach this riddle, Chris Cochran speaks to two industry veterans, Slavik Markovich co-founder & CEO of Descope, and Rob Fry, co-founder of AKA Identity.  Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a CTO, or just tech-curious, this episode offers invaluable insights. Using the identity market as a case study, we’ll explore the multifaceted considerations needed to make the best choice for your team and organization.   Impactful Moments: 0:00 - Build vs. Buy: The Classic Technologist Conundrum 0:37 - Show Intro 0:57 - Introducing Slavik Markovich and Rob Fry 3:25 - Previous build vs. buy project 6:44 - Decision logic for build vs. buy  15:09 - How does tech sway your decision making? 19:44 - How does data impact decision making? 24:31 - How do processes influence decision making? 29:13 - Maintaining custom tech solutions over time 33:28 - Tenants for building a tech company 41:06 - Build authentication and user journey flows with Descope   Links:  Learn more about Descope: https://www.descope.com/ Connect with our guest Slavik Markovich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slavikm/ Connect with our guest Rob Fry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fry-rob-g/ Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional: https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/ Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

19 Sep 202343min

Embrace the AI Revolution in Cybersecurity! Ron Eddings explores the dynamic world of AI, from cybersecurity automation to anomaly detection. Learn how AI is being used by practitioners and creators to stay one step ahead of the adversary and the competition   Impactful Moments 0:00 - Intro 1:35 - Origin into cybersecurity and automation 6:12 - What is Artificial Intelligence? 8:23 - Using AI to Classify Phishing Emails 11:32 - Descript and Claude2 to Summarize Content 17:54 - ChatGPT Advanced Data Analysis 21:41 - Top 4 AI Red Team Attacks 26:09 - Cybersecurity AI Disrupters 27:50 - Cybersecurity Creative Mastermind   Links: Connect with Ron Eddings: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldeddings/ Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional: https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio.com Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/ Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

12 Sep 202328min

For this week's episode, we brought back a fan favorite Security Teams Can't Do It All. This episode features guest Rob Wood, CISO at CMS, who discusses the challenges of data silos in the workplace and the importance of supportive leadership.   Links: Connect with our guest Rob Wood on LinkedIn Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional: https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio.com Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/ Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

5 Sep 202330min

In this episode, host Ron is joined by the CISO at Corvus Insurance, Jason Rebholz, to talk about the life of being a cybersecurity content creator. From his drive to create cyber content for technical and non-technical audiences to the sometimes harsh realities of content creation, Jason opens up about the importance of having passion and well-balanced goals. Impactful Moments 00:00 - Welcome 01:12 - Introducing guest, Jason Rebholz 02:05 - Jason’s cybersecurity background 04:37 - Everybody loves a former CISO 06:16 - Creating digestable content for all 09:07 - The nuances of MFA 11:16 - Goal setting 14:06 - The harsh reality of content creation 18:56 - Bullets before canon balls 28:53 - Join our mastermind! 29:57 - Balance is key 31:25 - Mastering effective communication 33:29 - Advice for aspiring content creators   Links: Connect with our guest Jason https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrebholz/ Check out Jason’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@teachmecyber Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional: https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio.com Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/ Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

29 Aug 202335min

In this episode, hosts Ron and Chris are joined by special guest Eric Avigdor, VP of Product Management at Votiro. With humility as the focal point, Eric details his journey as a Product Manager — sharing his unique approach to leadership and customer engagement, as well as the art of asking the right questions. Discover how Votiro is spearheading content security innovation, and don't miss Eric's advice for budding Product Managers eager to make their mark in the industry. Impactful Moments: 00:00 - Welcome 01:10 - Introducing guest, Eric Avigdor 02:27 - Cybersecurity is like an orchestra 03:20 - Product Management vs Engineering 04:40 - Misconceptions of Product Management 07:09 - Understanding the product 08:18 - The realities of the job 10:51 - Tying the whole story together 13:32 - Why Votiro? 16:52 - Leading the way in innovation 19:05 - A word about our sponsor 21:24 - A use-case storytime 23:17 - Integrating where content resides 25:06 - Security + collaboration is the goal 27:50 - Advice for aspiring Product Managers Links: Connect with Eric Avigdor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-avigdor-0b561118/  Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional: https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio.com Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/ Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

22 Aug 202329min

Host Chris Cochran is joined by Marty Overman, Senior VP at Imperva, to discuss the importance of self-awareness and transparency in cybersecurity leadership. The two emphasize the need for leaders to recognize their strengths and weaknesses and understand and empathize with the needs and experiences of those they lead. Impactful Moments 00:00 - Welcome 00:52 - Introducing guest, Marty Overman 01:26 - What makes a great sales leader? 04:50 - The power of asking questions 07:27 - Building strong team cultures 11:58 - Creating opportunities for collaboration 14:28 - Setting goals and expectations 17:24 - Creating team identity together 24:15 - Identifying areas for improvement 28:09 - Psychological safety in leadership 30:12 - Creating a safe space 34:52 - Adults and the inner child 37:26 - Empathy and understanding Links: Connect with Marty Overman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martyoverman/ Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional: https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio.com Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/ Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

15 Aug 202338min

In this episode, host Ron is joined by Jamie Blasco, co-founder and CTO at Nudge Security, to discuss the opportunities of SaaS as well as the security implications of AI. Jamie also considers the importance of striking a balance between productivity and security when employees adopt new tools. Lastly, he emphasizes his philosophy of treating employees as part of the solution and creating a culture where they feel valued and included in the company's security efforts. Impactful Moments: 00:00 - Welcome 01:35 - Introducing guest, Jamie Blasco 02:25 - How does SaaS fit into AI today? 03:52 - Areas of opportunity for AI & SaaS 05:17 - A walk down Jamie’s memory lane 09:56 - Finding the shadow IT 15:08 - What are the risks? 18:26 - A word from our sponsor! 20:40 - 3rd party risk & data usage 24:33 - Types of AI Nudge is utilizing 26:38 - The premise behind Nudge 30:50 - Employees as part of the solution 33:13 - SaaS — critical but risky 36:43 - Jamie’s final words of advice Links: Connect with Jamie Blasco: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimeblasco/ Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional: https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio.com Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/ Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

1 Aug 202338min

How do you effectively persuade team members and stakeholders to take action, convey the importance of new projects, or request additional resources? Communicating technical security information often leads to disconnection or worse, falls on deaf ears. During this hour-long livestream, hosts Ron and Chris tackle how you can turn the tables by leveraging the primal power of storytelling, enhancing attention and engagement. Impactful Moments: 00:00 - Introduction 04:39 - Storytelling & conveying information  07:39 - How do I tell better stories? 14:25 - The Story Circle & The Hero's Journey 22:11 - Understanding your audience 24:41 - Simplifying cybersecurity  30:20 - The impact of storytelling 36:01 - Mastering storytelling in cybersecurity  Links: Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional: https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio.com Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/ Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

25 Juli 202338min