Cyber Rants - The Refreshingly Real Cybersecurity Podcast

On this episode, Silent Sector breaks down what cybersecurity really looks like beyond the buzzwords. We dive into CTEM and why continuous exposure management beats the outdated once-a-year pen test. You’ll hear how adversarial simulation, social engineering, and threat modeling work together to reveal real-world risk—not just compliance checkboxes. If you’ve ever felt overloaded by industry acron...

Cyber insurance is meant to provide assurance when incidents occur—but too often, organizations face confusion, denied claims, and unclear coverage. Attorney and cybersecurity expert, Matt Silverman, joins Zach and Lauro to break down why cyber policies are so complex, how evolving threats are outpacing the insurance industry, and what companies can do to navigate this uncertain landscape better....

In this episode, the Silent Sector team dives into the recent AWS shutdown, exploring what may have caused the disruption and the ripple effects it had across organizations relying on Amazon’s cloud infrastructure. They break down lessons learned from the outage, including how companies can strengthen resilience and prepare for similar incidents in the future. The conversation also shifts toward t...

Fraud happens when pressure, opportunity, and rationalization align. From data manipulation to asset theft, it often stems from weak controls—like a lack of oversight or segregation of duties. In this episode, we’ll talk about common red flags, lessons from the Wells Fargo scandal, and how to spot and report suspicious behavior before it becomes a bigger issue.  Pick up your copy of Cyber Rants on...

In this episode, we explore the critical role managers play in protecting their teams from cybersecurity threats. From understanding cyber risk as a business risk to recognizing how attackers often target leadership, we highlight the areas of culture managers must focus on to build secure, resilient teams. Learn how leading by example, normalizing security practices, identifying insider threats, a...

 In this cybersecurity awareness training episode, we’re digging into one of the most overlooked risks in any organization: insider threats. From malicious intent to simple negligence and even blackmail, insiders can pose serious security challenges. Learn how to recognize the warning signs—like job dissatisfaction, policy violations, or sudden lifestyle changes—and what you should do if something...

This week, we're focusing on the cybersecurity risks tied to privileged accounts — the high-level access that IT professionals and admins hold. From major breaches at Marriott and Uber to lesser-known takedowns through personal Gmail accounts, attackers are targeting the people with the most access. We cover why multi-factor authentication (MFA) is non-negotiable for these accounts, the impor...

In this episode, we break down the real-world risks of cyber threats targeting finance professionals — including a recent incident where funds were sent to the wrong place due to a sophisticated email scam. Learn how attackers mimic branding, usernames, and even voices to trick you into clicking malicious links or bypassing security. We cover red flags to watch for, simple ways to prevent phishing...

This week, we're launching a brand-new series of free cybersecurity training content designed to empower executive leaders and high-profile individuals. In this special training episode, the guys dive into the critical threats targeting executives and decision-makers—covering key tactics, real-world risks, and essential strategies to protect both personal and organizational security. This epi...

Former CIA officer Michele Assad joins the Cyber Rants Podcast to reveal the hidden dangers of insider threats, from Nation-State recruitment to false flag operations, and why businesses can’t afford to ignore them. Michele shares actionable strategies to recognize, prevent, and respond to these risks while highlighting the power of resilience and mental toughness. She also introduces her upcoming...

This week, Lauro and Zach are joined by Eric O'Neill, a former FBI agent who brought down Robert Hanssen, the most notorious and damaging spy in United States history. Eric recounts his role in one of the FBI's most significant spy takedowns and dives deep into the world of espionage and counter-espionage. He sheds light on the realities of insider threats lurking within the United State...

Let's face it, the end of the year can be stressful as tech teams push to get security and compliance efforts done. Zach and Lauro have seen it all, with people scurrying to meet their company's annual requirements. They discuss the top challenges they see, how to overcome them, and how to get the best proposals from your vendors for next year. Pick up your copy of Cyber Rants on Amazon....

In this urgent episode, the Cyber Rants crew welcomes Silent Sector ’s Principal Cybersecurity Architect, Brian Contario, to discuss his game-changing discovery of a critical vulnerability in the Two-Factor Authentication Enrollment Process. This vulnerability has the potential to impact hundreds of millions of accounts globally and poses a serious threat to IT infrastructures everywhere. Brian an...

In this episode of the Cyber Rants Podcast, Zach and Lauro are joined by Yasir Ali, CEO of Polymer, to dive deep into the critical issue of data leakage and shadow IT in today's SaaS-driven business environment. As companies rely on a multitude of software platforms, employees often create unauthorized accounts on new tools, posing significant security risks. Yasir shares his expert insights...

Lauro and Zach welcome Denzil Wessels, Founder & CEO of Dymium, to explore groundbreaking innovations in database security. Denzil introduces Dymium's cutting-edge "Ghost layer" approach, which emphasizes securing data itself rather than just the network, offering granular control and preventing the need for data duplication. This episode highlights how Dymium's unique focu...

In this episode of the Cyber Rants Podcast, we sit down with Chris Hadnagy, a prominent speaker at RSA, Black Hat, and DefCon's SE Capture the Flag events. Chris is the author of four influential books, including "Social Engineering: The Art of Human Hacking" and "Human Hacking: Win Friends, Influence People, and Leave Them Better Off for Having Met You." He is also the fo...

Financial scams and cyber breaches are hitting more Americans than ever. This week, Zach and Lauro dive into common personal scams and cyber attacks, sharing essential prevention tips and steps to take if you're targeted. Tune in and share with non-tech-savvy friends to help them stay safe from online criminals. Pick up your copy of Cyber Rants on Amazon. Looking to take your Cyber Security t...

This week, Zach and Lauro welcome pen tester, CISO, and entrepreneur, Dan DeCloss. From navigating organizational challenges to systemizing vulnerability management processes, Dan shares expert insight that applies to IT and security professionals in every organization. The guys also discuss Dan's solution to simplify penetration test reporting, vulnerability management, and monitor progress...

In this episode of Cyber Rants, Zach and Lauro are joined by Jeremy Snyder, CEO of Firetail, to explore the intricacies of safeguarding vital API connections. Jeremy shares invaluable expertise on identifying and fortifying the vulnerable points targeted by cyber adversaries. Tune in as he discusses a range of topics, from API authentication to threat detection, providing essential knowledge to sh...

In this episode of Cyber Rants, Zach and Lauro sit down with Ty Smith, a former Navy SEAL turned successful tech entrepreneur, to uncover invaluable leadership and mindset lessons. Ty draws from his combat experience and entrepreneurial journey to offer crucial insights for technology leaders. Tune in to learn how to build resilient teams, lead with purpose, and elevate your organization to new he...

In today's cyber landscape, breaches are often disclosed by criminals before victims are even aware, leaving companies scrambling to manage the fallout. Crafting a swift and effective response is essential to safeguarding trust and reputation. Join us this week with corporate communications expert Kevin Dinino, President of KCD PR, as he shares key strategies for post-breach messaging. From p...

It's not a matter of if an organization is going to be attacked, but when. This week, the guys dive into discussing what organizations should be doing more to ensure they are resilient and ready to recover after an attack.  Pick up your copy of Cyber Rants on Amazon. Looking to take your Cyber Security to the next level? Visit us at www.silentsector.com .  Be sure to rate the podcast, leave u...

When the turn of the year comes, so do the projections of Zach, Mike, and Lauro. Sharing both obvious reminders and concepts that are not widely known, the guys break out the crystal ball and give their take on what's coming this year in cybersecurity. Pick up your copy of Cyber Rants on Amazon. Looking to take your Cyber Security to the next level? Visit us at www.silentsector.com .  Be sure...

We are thrilled to welcome back Chris Rock, a cyber mercenary with the expertise to dismantle individuals, institutions, and even entire nations. Join us as Chris shares insights, captivating stories, and the harsh realities of the hacker's world, offering a unique perspective to help you comprehend the intricacies of safeguarding your organization. From explaining why hacks against certain C...

In a digital realm rife with misinformation, the guys dissect the reliability of cyber score sites like Security Scorecard that rate the security level of companies. They discuss the repercussions of false ratings and the pressures on organizations to pay for correcting misleading information. Breaking down real-world examples to a technical level, the guys explore the nuances of these scoring sys...