Hacker Valley Studio

The new cybersecurity pioneers aren’t chasing alerts, they’re building with AI. But what happens when tools meant to assist begin making decisions for us? And what skills do we lose when machines fill the gaps we used to grow into? In this episode, Chris Cochran, CEO and Founder of Commandant, returns to Hacker Valley Studio with an insider view on building in the AI boom. He shares why he’s betti...

What happens when AI refuses to be replaced? This episode kicks off with a chilling real-world example of an AI threatening blackmail—and only gets more intense from there. Host Ron Eddings unpacks the terrifyingly innovative ways AI is altering the cybersecurity threat landscape. From deepfakes convincing enough to fool your own family to auto-summarizing email clients acting as unintentional ins...

What if Zero Trust isn’t a framework, but the only viable cybersecurity strategy—more about people than products? In this episode, George Finney, CISO at the University of Texas System and author of Project Zero Trust, reveals the human-first truth behind the Zero Trust movement, and why it’s not something you buy but something you build. George shares stories from hacking a college database to la...

You won’t be replaced by AI—you’ll be replaced by someone using it better. Returning guest Marco Figueroa is back with a frontline report on the AI agent boom. This isn’t a prediction—it’s a tactical update from someone tracking every release, every benchmark battle, and every edge worth chasing. In this episode, Ron is joined by Marco as he breaks down the rapid evolution of AI agents—from Claude...

Most people think red teaming is digital—until someone bypasses your locks, plants a Raspberry Pi in your server room, and walks out with your data. That’s not sci-fi. That’s White Knight Labs. In this episode, Ron talks with Greg Hatcher and John Stigerwalt, co-founders of White Knight Labs, a boutique offensive security firm built on real-world action. They share high-stakes red team operations—...

What if fixing cybersecurity wasn’t about more tools, but about unlocking human potential?  In this episode, Ron Eddings welcomes back David Shipley, CEO and Field CSO of Beauceron Security, for a conversation on the real force behind security resilience: people. Together they expose the failure of "reactive" cybersecurity strategies, drawing parallels with preventative healthcare — and explain wh...

Still tracking certificates in a spreadsheet? You’re not alone—and there’s a better way. In this special episode from RSA 2025, Ron sits down with Michael Klieman, Global Vice President of Product Management for Digital Security Solutions at Entrust, to discuss how leading organizations are rethinking cryptographic security. From simplifying certificate management to preparing for a post-quantum f...

AI is reshaping the cybersecurity battlefield, and cyber adversaries are getting smarter. In this episode, Ron Eddings welcomes Andrey Suzdaltsev, Co-Founder and CEO of Brightside AI, for a look into the evolution of social engineering, AI’s role in personalized phishing, and how Brightside is turning the tables with automation and human-centric protection. From offensive AI simulations to family-...

Passwords are the original digital clutter—messy, overstuffed, and way too easy to forget. Like a junk drawer full of old keys and cables, we keep tossing more into them, hoping they’ll somehow keep working. But what if it’s time to throw the whole thing out? In this episode, Ron Eddings is joined by Collin Sweeney of ZKX Solutions and Dr. Chase Cunningham, a.k.a. “Dr. Zero Trust,” for a bold conv...

What if the biggest threat to cybersecurity isn’t attackers—but the defenders themselves? Why are we still building tools for experts in a world where technical skills are fading fast? In this episode, Ron Eddings sits down with legendary hacker and investor Robert Hansen (aka RSnake) to talk about startup strategy, LLM-powered workflows, and the uncomfortable truth about skill decline in security...

The internet once came this close to crashing—and Microsoft was on the front line. In this episode, cybersecurity veteran Christopher Budd takes us inside the Microsoft Security Response Center during one of the most chaotic cyber events in modern history. From the Nimda worm of 2001 to ransomware turf wars, and the weird future where threat actors post job ads for ransom note writers, Christopher...

Marco Figueroa is back, and his AI predictions aren’t just coming true—they’re unfolding faster than anyone expected. AI agents aren’t on the horizon—they’re already here, and security teams are scrambling to keep up. Building on his bold January prediction that 2025 would be the Year of the AI Agent, Marco returns to break down real-world threats, including an insider attack using an infinite log...

The best time to be alive is right now—if you know how to use AI. Marcus J. Carey, Principal Research Scientist at ReliaQuest, is harnessing AI to supercharge creativity, cybersecurity, and career development. In this episode, he shares the workflows he uses that redefine productivity, from dictating books in a week to building a personal AI twin. In this episode, Ron and Marcus highlight AI’s tru...

We’re already in World War III—just not the kind you’re thinking of. Cyber warfare is here, and the battlefield is your inbox, your bank account, and your digital identity. So why are we still acting like it’s peacetime? Dr. Eric Cole, cybersecurity pioneer and former CIA hacker, joins the show to drop hard truths about the state of cyber warfare, AI’s role in our digital future, and why most peop...

AI isn’t just evolving—it’s sprinting, and cybersecurity needs to keep up.  Ron Eddings is joined again by cybersecurity leader Marco Figueroa, Program Manager for Gen AI at the ODIN Bug Bounty Program, who called it in January: 2025 is the year of AI agents, and the early signs are already here. From Grok 3’s speed advantage to AI-powered red teaming for $25K, this is the reality check security l...

What if you could have a conversation with yourself—years into the future? Or leave behind an AI-powered avatar that understands your thoughts, philosophies, and even your voice? In this episode, we explore the mind-blowing potential of AI and its impact on cybersecurity, productivity, and even legacy. Pedram Amini, Chief Scientist at OPSWAT, joins Ron Eddings to discuss his journey from bootstrap...

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...

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 accur...

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, highlig...

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...

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 visibil...

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...

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 cyber...

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. Discus...

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...