The Other Side Of The Firewall

In this week's episode of "The Other Side of the Firewall," host Ryan Williams Sr. takes a charming turn by inviting a very special guest—his wife, Chamire Williams. As Ryan introduces Chamire, he affectionately notes the dynamic she brings to the show, breaking away from the typical cybersecurity discussions to delve into the interplay of professional growth and personal support in their lives. C...

In this episode of Ask A CISSP, Ryan Williams Sr. interviews Kenneth Ellington, founder of Ellington Cyber Academy (ECA), about the latest trends in cybersecurity and the integration of cybersecurity with artificial intelligence (AI). Kenneth discusses the growth of ECA and their partnerships with companies like Sentinel One and Splunk. He emphasizes the importance of customer feedback and the nee...

Join us to revisit our most popular episode of ALL TIME! This episode discusses the consumer class action lawsuits filed against Mr. Cooper, a mortgage lending company, following a cybersecurity incident. The breach exposed the personal information of 4.3 million customers, putting them at an increased risk of identity theft. Mr. Cooper has partially resumed operations and plans to provide affecte...

Join us to revisit our second most popular episode of ALL TIME! In this episode, the hosts discuss the cyber attack on Change Healthcare that disrupted prescription services nationwide. They highlight the interconnectedness of the healthcare industry and the potential consequences of such attacks. The conversation touches on the importance of IT and supply chain risk management, the financial and...

Join us to revisit our third most popular episode of ALL TIME! In this episode, Ryan, Shannon, and special guest, Ieshea Hollins, the founder and CEO of Direnzic Technology discuss her book, 'Technology Guide to Divorce. Ieshea shares her real-life inspiration for writing the book and highlights the importance of protecting your digital assets and personal information during the divorce process. ...

In this episode, Ryan and Shannon discuss their week, including theme park experiences, TV shows, movies, and video games. Ryan recaps his visit to Universal Studios and the two share their thoughts on various TV shows, such as Invincible and X-Men 97. Ryan also talk about their gaming experiences with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Tears of the Kingdom.  Please LISTEN 🎧 LIKE 👍🏿 and SHARE ❤️ Tha...

In this episode, Ryan Williams Sr. and Daryl Brooks, CISSP and Cyber Security Specialist, discuss various pathways to enter the cybersecurity field, including federal programs and scholarships. They highlight the importance of gaining experience and obtaining certifications. The conversation also covers the ongoing issue of hackers targeting water systems, with the US government warning about disr...

In this episode, Ryan and Shannon discuss the recent ban on Congress staff using Microsoft's AI Copilot. They explore concerns about data leakage and misinformation, as well as the future of AI and deepfakes. They highlight the need for security measures and implementation, as well as the importance of new laws and regulations to protect against deepfakes. They also mention NVIDIA's free AI traini...

In this episode, Ryan and Shannon discuss the recent data leak at AT&T, where 73 million users' information was compromised. They highlight the actions taken by AT&T to reset passcodes for affected customers and the potential risks associated with leaked personal information. The conversation then shifts to the need to move away from using social security numbers as identifiers and the challenges...

In this episode, Ryan and Shannon discuss the United Health Group cyber attack and its financial impact. United Health Group has paid over $3.3 billion to providers affected by the cyber attack. The discussion highlights the importance of cybersecurity and the financial consequences that organizations face when they neglect it. The conversation also touches on the size and reach of United Health G...

In this episode, Ryan and Shannon discuss various topics including TV series, movies, video games, and their plans for spring break. They talk about their thoughts on the TV series 'Extended Family' and their experiences with shows like 'Two and a Half Men' and 'Scrubs'. Ryan shares his thoughts on the popular series 'Stranger Things' and his enjoyment of playing the game 'Helldivers 2. In this co...

Sam Brown, a national speaker and bestselling author, discusses his book 'Grow Through What You Go Through' and his journey as an author. He shares his writing process, including repurposing content and creating a schedule. Sam also talks about his future goals, such as turning the book into a curriculum and impacting college campuses. He emphasizes the importance of personal development and the f...

In this episode, Ryan and Shannon discuss the recent Lockbit ransomware attack and the group's attempt to save face after a major FBI takedown. They explore the misleading tactics used by Lockbit to present old data as new attacks and discuss the public perception of the group's actions. The hosts also touch on the arrests and penalties faced by cyber criminals and the lucrative nature of cybercri...

In this episode, Ryan and Shannon discuss the FCC's approval of a cybersecurity label for consumer devices, known as the US Cyber Trust Mark. They highlight the importance of this label in providing consumers with a better understanding of the security of their IoT devices. The conversation emphasizes the potential impact of the US Cyber Trust Mark in improving the security of IoT devices and redu...

In this episode, Ryan and Shannon discuss a news article about hackers taking over a family's Cricket Wireless account and gaining access to their financial apps. They highlight the risks of storing sensitive information on smartphones and the importance of protecting personal data. The conversation also touches on the possibility of an inside job at Cricket Wireless and the need for accountabilit...

In this episode, the hosts discuss various TV shows they have been watching, including Invincible, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Tracker. They analyze the formulaic nature of many network TV shows and share their thoughts on different platforms. The hosts also talk about their language learning and cloud computing endeavors. They mention their lack of interest in gaming and focus on podcast production a...

Jacob Hill shares his "cybersecurity origin story", starting from his early career in IT support to his transition to the government and private sectors. He discusses the pros and cons of working in the government and contracting, as well as his decision to start GRC Academy and offer CMMC training.  Jacob also talks about his podcast and how it helps build brand awareness. He emphasizes the impor...

In this episode, Ryan, Shannon, and Chris discuss the potential ban of TikTok in the United States due to data security concerns. They explore the impact on small business owners who use TikTok as a marketing platform and the potential enforcement measures and fines that could be imposed. The hosts also delve into the political implications of the ban and the influence of social media platforms on...

In this episode, Ryan, Shannon, and Chris discuss the recent DDoS cyber attack on the Alabama state government by a Russian-backed hacktivist group. They highlight the impact of such attacks on state governments and the importance of investing in cybersecurity. The hosts also emphasize the need for secure networks, especially during election seasons, as attacks aim to disrupt and divide. They urge...

This episode of the Other Side of the Firewall podcast discusses the recent ransomware attacks on UnitedHealth and Change Healthcare. The medical industry is identified as a soft target due to the value of medical records on the black market. The complexity of medical billing and the lack of standards make it difficult to secure the industry. The rise of ransomware as a service allows less skilled...

In this episode, Ryan and Shannon discuss cybersecurity news, movies, TV shows, and video games. They recap the cybersecurity news from the week, including Microsoft's source code theft and the hacking of the US Department of Homeland Security. They then dive into their entertainment choices, including watching Avatar, rewatching Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and exploring Jackie Chan movies. They also disc...

In this episode, Ryan Williams Sr. interviews Michael Ware, the CIO for the Department of Environmental Quality for the state of North Carolina. They discuss various topics including transitioning from military to civilian work, challenges and opportunities in diversity, equity, and inclusion, the role of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity, the impact of politics on cybersecurity and AI, and...

In this episode, Ryan and Shannon discuss the recent hacking of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the quick response to take affected systems offline. They highlight the importance of system upgrades and modernization to prevent such attacks. The conversation also touches on the reality of cyber attacks and the attribution of the attack to China. The hosts emphasiz...

In this episode, Shannon and Ryan discuss a news article about a Central Texan who won a National Cybersecurity Grant. The grant recipient, Dr. Lavanya Alluri, plans to use the funding to create an app that simplifies terms and conditions and privacy policies for tech users. They highlight the challenge of getting users to read and understand terms and conditions, as well as the human factor in ac...

In this episode, Ryan and Shannon discuss the recent theft of Microsoft's source code by Russian government hackers. They highlight the use of password spraying and the lack of lockouts as a vulnerability that allowed the attack to occur. They also emphasize Microsoft's global presence and the potential impact of the breach on various countries and organizations. The delayed detection of the attac...