Cybersecurity Meets AI: The Good, The Bad & The Janky
There’s no doubt that AI is changing the game in cybersecurity, but not always in the ways we expect. In this episode, Ron Eddings shares his firsthand experience with AI-powered tools that make him a cyber superhero—when they work. From automating security tasks to turbocharging programming workflows, AI is proving its value, but also revealing its limits. Through live walkthroughs and real-world examples, he showcases how AI automates security tasks, accelerates programming, and enhances research—while also showing why some cybersecurity actions should stay human-led. Impactful Moments: 00:00 - Introduction 02:00 - The good and bad of AI in security 04:00 - Google’s AI weapons controversy 06:30 - Deepfake scams and AI-powered phishing 09:00 - How AI helps (and fails) at programming 12:00 - Automating security research with AI 18:00 - AI-generated meeting notes & productivity hacks 21:00 - What AI should NEVER do 23:00 - The future of AI in cybersecurity Links: 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/
13 Feb 22min
A Human-Centric Approach to Cybersecurity with Edna Conway
What if cybersecurity was more than just tech—what if it was about the people it serves? In this episode, Edna Conway, Founder and CEO of EMC Advisors, shares her incredible journey from law to cybersecurity and explores the human element often overlooked in technology. Recorded live at InfoSec Nashville 2024, Edna discusses the intersection of innovation and tradition, the critical role of accuracy in AI, and her vision for cybersecurity's future. From anomaly detection to the wisdom of creating "enclaves," her insights remind us that tech is here to serve people, not the other way around. Impactful Moments: 00:00 – Introduction 01:22 – Keynote insights: Innovation meets tradition 02:39 – From prosecutor to cybersecurity leader 07:00 – Human-first approach to AI and security 11:40 – LLMs in cybersecurity: opportunities and accuracy 16:34 – Balancing risk with AI use in business 23:06 – Bringing diverse talent into cybersecurity 32:30 – Advice on leadership and collaboration Links: Connect with our guest, Edna Conway: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ednaconway/ Learn more about ISSA Middle TN here: https://issamidtn.org/ 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/
4 Feb 35min
Rise of the Machines: Why Your Attack Surface Has More Holes Than You Think ft Pandian Gnanaprakasam
Did you know nearly half of your enterprise devices are agentless—leaving your attack surface wide open? In this episode, Ron is joined by Pandian Gnanaprakasam, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Ordr, to discuss the critical risks posed by agentless devices and how orchestration can strengthen your defenses. Pandian shares key findings from Ordr’s 2024 "Rise of the Machines" report, highlighting the risks of overlooked agentless devices. He covers the rapid growth of these devices, strategies to manage vulnerabilities, and how automation can strengthen your defenses. Impactful Moments: 00:00 - Introduction 04:15 - Why agentless devices dominate the next decade 06:30 - Insights from Ordr's “Rise of the Machines” report 08:50 - Hidden risks: 42% of devices are agentless 11:15 - Solving the "Swiss cheese" problem of security gaps 14:30 - Prioritizing vulnerabilities with business context 18:10 - Orchestration vs. automation: The harmony difference 22:00 - Why visibility is the foundation of security 27:30 - Ordr’s unique approach to securing the attack surface Links: Connect with our guest, Pandian Gnanaprakasam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gpandian/ Check out Ordr’s Rise of the Machines report here: https://ordr.net/resources/rise-of-the-machines-report-2024 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/
28 Jan 38min
How a Game Turned a Watchmaker into a Cybersecurity Pro with Simeon Kakpovi
What if cybersecurity training could be as engaging as your favorite game? In this episode, Simeon Kakpovi, founder of the KC7 Foundation, shares how his gamified approach is changing lives and reshaping the cybersecurity pipeline by making cybersecurity education accessible. From his journey as a threat hunter to building a free online game that teaches real-world blue team skills, Simeon joins Ron to show how creativity and inclusion can unlock potential in unexpected places. Plus, listen to the remarkable story about how a watchmaker with no cyber background landed a dream job at Microsoft—all thanks to KC7. Impactful Moments 00:00 - Introduction 01:11 - The evolution of cybersecurity 03:03 - Cybersecurity Mergers & Acquisitions 05:38 - Meet our guest: Simeon Kakpovi of KC7 Foundation 06:00 - KC7 wins “Team of the Year” at the SANS DMAs 8:43 - Founding the KC7 Foundation 10:00 - Lessons from Lockheed Martin’s Cyber Analyst Challenge 11:46 - How KC7 gamifies real-world cybersecurity 14:52 - Bringing KC7 to high school and middle school students 16:52 - Expanding access to cybersecurity careers 25:09 - A watchmaker’s journey to Microsoft 34:00 - How to get started with KC7 Links Connect with our guest, Simeon Kakpovi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kakpovi/ Check out the Cybersecurity M&A Roundup Article here: https://www.securityweek.com/cybersecurity-ma-roundup-37-deals-announced-in-december-2024/ 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/
22 Jan 35min
Managing and Mitigating Cyber Risks For Your Assets with Jerich Beason and Wes Wright
What’s the key to mitigating unseen cyber risks? In this episode, Wes Wright, Chief Healthcare Officer at Ordr and Jerich Beason, CISO at WM uncover the complexities of attack surface management (ASM) and its impact on cybersecurity. Together with Ron, they explain what constitutes an attack surface and introduce practical frameworks like See-Know-Secure, emphasizing the need for complete visibility and data-driven risk mitigation. Impactful Moment: 00:00 - Introduction 03:00 - Defining attack surface management 06:13 - See-Know-Secure framework 09:05 - Analogies for explaining ASM to stakeholders 15:33 - Building an inventory for asset visibility 20:42 - Convincing leadership: Budget strategies 25:00 - Tools and methodologies for ASM 36:57 - Managed services vs. in-house approaches 43:00 - Starting your ASM journey Links: Connect with our guests – Wes Wright: https://www.linkedin.com/in/4kidwes/ Jerich Beason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerich-beason/ Learn more about Ordr: https://ordr.net/ 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/
14 Jan 44min
The Year of the Agent: AI, Bug Bounties, and Cybersecurity Insights with Marco Figueroa
How will AI redefine cybersecurity in 2025? According to Marco Figueroa, Program Manager for Gen AI at the ODIN Bug Bounty Program, this year is set to be the "Year of the Agent," where AI systems and integrations take a central role. In this special New Year bonus episode, Ron sits down with Marco to discuss the transformative role of AI in solving cybersecurity challenges. Marco breaks down AI jailbreak techniques, the impact of bug bounty programs on securing AI systems, and why 2025’s fast-evolving tech landscape demands creative thinking. Learn how tools like ChatGPT and Gemini 2.0 are reshaping the industry and why staying adaptable is essential. Impactful Moments: 00:00 - Introduction 02:14 - Speed vs. safety: AI system challenges 05:30 - Why experience matters more than information 07:45 - Legal stakes for deepfakes and AI 18:36 - Marco’s creative journey in cybersecurity 28:00 - Jailbreaks: Risks and surprising AI findings 37:13 - 2025 predictions: The rise of agents 41:00 - Closing thoughts and the power of community Links: Connect with our guest, Marco Figueroa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-figueroa-re/ Chuck Brooks' 2025 Cybersecurity Predictions article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckbrooks/2024/12/24/cybersecurity-trends-and-priorities-to-watch-for-2025/ Focus Areas for the FaccT Conference News: https://facctconference.org/2025/focusareas “Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Giving-People/dp/0593418573 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 Jan 41min
Understanding the Psychology of Cyber Risk with David Shipley
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/
7 Jan 44min
From Landscaping to Cyber Leadership with Cole Lisko
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/
24 Dec 202434min
