Simply Secured

This week we chat with Bill Boston, also known as 'The Real Bilbo,' to explore his extensive journey from IT support roles to becoming a cybersecurity professional. With over 20 years in support and a strong background in healthcare and consulting, Bill shares unique insights into overcoming mental health challenges, the importance of being fair, friendly, and firm, and how his military experience...

This week we have a captivating conversation with Christine Smoley, as she shares her journey from an academic background in phenomenology to a successful career in cybersecurity. Key topics include networking at DEFCON, the importance of language acquisition and mental models, challenges of building security teams in startups, and her unique international experiences in Russia. This episode offer...

This week we chat with Brent Buch, also known as Code Brew, to explore his fascinating transition from working in the food and beverage industry to becoming a junior database administrator and aspiring cybersecurity professional. Brent discusses the challenges he faced breaking into the cybersecurity field, the value of transferable skills from bartending, and the importance of maintaining a work-...

In this episode of Simply Secured, host James Mcquiggan engages in an insightful and entertaining conversation with Dan “The Haircut Fish” Rearden. Dan shares his unconventional journey from various odd jobs and college culinary arts to becoming a SOC analyst. Dan talks about his love for technology, self-guided learning through TryHackMe, and transitioning from IT help desk roles to cybersecurity...

On this week’s episode we chat with Tyson Benson and explore his diverse career as a senior product cybersecurity analyst for ZFI. With a background in patent law, Benson shares his unique insights on the importance of cybersecurity in the automotive industry, particularly as it pertains to software-defined vehicles. Discover the pivotal moments that led him to this field, the legal and regulatory...

Today we chat with Debon Grady, an IT Security Specialist with the South Carolina Department of Mental Health. Debon shares his unique path from music education major to cybersecurity expert, discussing key moments, valuable skills learned, and the importance of mentorship. Discover his thoughts on the relationship between red and blue teams, the significance of continuous learning, and his hobbie...

Today we chat with Cristina Pawlica, a distinguished member of the Simply Cyber community with an extensive background in cybersecurity and military service. Cristina shares her unique journey from serving in the Air Force as a Force Support Officer to pursuing a career in cybersecurity. She delves into crucial leadership lessons and discusses the significant role of cybersecurity in K-12 educatio...

Welcome back for Season 2! We kickoff with a graduating senior from Rensselaer Polytechnic University as she transitions from academic research to industry applications in the world of cybersecurity. In this episode, we sit down with Shoshana Sugerman, to explore her journey from classroom to conference room. We delve into Shoshana's work on Grover's algorithm for quantum-enhanced threat detection...

In this episode we delve into the world of cybersecurity with Fleetus Poston III, a dynamic public speaker, passionate mentor, and cybersecurity evangelist. Fleetus shares his journey, including his 'aha' moment in cybersecurity, handling imposter syndrome, the significance of a healthy security culture, and the impact of a recent reduction in force on his career. He also discusses the importance...

This week, we chat with Federico Castro, a cybersecurity professional and member of the ISC2 Central Florida chapter, known by his nickname 'FedEx'. We discuss FedX’s transition from physical security and construction into cybersecurity, fueled by his diagnosis of ADHD and his pursuit of education. Federico highlights the importance of networking, mentorship, and continuous learning in cybersecuri...

In this wonderful episode with Emmy award winning Kathy Chambers, we explore her fascinating journey as a project manager at Antisyphon Training with Black Hills Information Security. Kathy's unique path from broadcast journalism to cybersecurity offers valuable insights for anyone considering a career transition or looking to leverage their existing skills in a new field. Links: - LinkedIn: https...

Join us for an exciting episode with Joseph Cadden, aka Casually Joseph, a passionate cybersecurity expert and Palo Alto MDR security analyst. Joseph shares his fascinating journey from building gaming computers in high school to pursuing a master's degree and working in managed detection and response. We explore the importance of certifications, effective phishing prevention strategies, and the e...

In this episode we chat with Brittany White, also known as Bdubzz, a dynamic content creator who is passionate about cybersecurity. She shares her journey from CAD design to a successful career in cybersecurity, highlighting her pivotal 'aha' moment. Brittany elaborates on her efforts in building a home lab and transitioning towards governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) work, emphasizing the impo...

Ever wondered how a passion for home brewing could blend seamlessly with a career in cybersecurity? In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Pearson, known to many as "Brews n' Hacks," to explore the fascinating intersection of these two worlds and the valuable lessons they share. Ryan's journey from biology student to cybersecurity professional is a testament to the power of following one's passion...

In this episode, James interviews Luke Canfield, as he shares his path into cybersecurity, which started 20 years ago and was reignited by an interest in hardware tinkering and drones. Luke discusses how he prioritizes vulnerabilities in systems, the significance of writing detailed reports, and the challenges faced in vulnerability management. He also touches on the emerging threats involving dro...

Elevating Your Cybersecurity Career with Dennis Keefe: From Law Enforcement to OSINT In this week's episode of 'Simply Secured: Elevating Your Cybersecurity Career,' we sit down with Dennis Keefe who transitioned from a decade-long career in law enforcement to becoming a cybersecurity enthusiast with a special focus on open source intelligence (OSINT). Dennis shares his unique perspective, career...