Hacker Valley Studio

It’s a classic technologist conundrum: Should I build or buy the solution I need to solve a problem? The “Build vs. Buy” conundrum is faced by technology teams worldwide. To help approach this riddle, Chris Cochran speaks to two industry veterans, Slavik Markovich co-founder & CEO of Descope, and Rob Fry, co-founder of AKA Identity.  Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a CTO, or just tech-curious,...

Embrace the AI Revolution in Cybersecurity! Ron Eddings explores the dynamic world of AI, from cybersecurity automation to anomaly detection. Learn how AI is being used by practitioners and creators to stay one step ahead of the adversary and the competition   Impactful Moments 0:00 - Intro 1:35 - Origin into cybersecurity and automation 6:12 - What is Artificial Intelligence? 8:23 - Using AI to C...

For this week's episode, we brought back a fan favorite Security Teams Can't Do It All. This episode features guest Rob Wood, CISO at CMS, who discusses the challenges of data silos in the workplace and the importance of supportive leadership.   Links: Connect with our guest Rob Wood on LinkedIn Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional: https://www.patreon.com/hac...

In this episode, host Ron is joined by the CISO at Corvus Insurance, Jason Rebholz, to talk about the life of being a cybersecurity content creator. From his drive to create cyber content for technical and non-technical audiences to the sometimes harsh realities of content creation, Jason opens up about the importance of having passion and well-balanced goals. Impactful Moments 00:00 - Welcome 01:...

In this episode, hosts Ron and Chris are joined by special guest Eric Avigdor, VP of Product Management at Votiro. With humility as the focal point, Eric details his journey as a Product Manager — sharing his unique approach to leadership and customer engagement, as well as the art of asking the right questions. Discover how Votiro is spearheading content security innovation, and don't miss Eric's...

Host Chris Cochran is joined by Marty Overman, Senior VP at Imperva, to discuss the importance of self-awareness and transparency in cybersecurity leadership. The two emphasize the need for leaders to recognize their strengths and weaknesses and understand and empathize with the needs and experiences of those they lead. Impactful Moments 00:00 - Welcome 00:52 - Introducing guest, Marty Overman 01:...

In this episode, host Ron is joined by Jamie Blasco, co-founder and CTO at Nudge Security, to discuss the opportunities of SaaS as well as the security implications of AI. Jamie also considers the importance of striking a balance between productivity and security when employees adopt new tools. Lastly, he emphasizes his philosophy of treating employees as part of the solution and creating a cultur...

How do you effectively persuade team members and stakeholders to take action, convey the importance of new projects, or request additional resources? Communicating technical security information often leads to disconnection or worse, falls on deaf ears. During this hour-long livestream, hosts Ron and Chris tackle how you can turn the tables by leveraging the primal power of storytelling, enhancing...

In this episode, Chris and Ron Eddings are joined by Jeff Man, a legend in cybersecurity. The conversation begins with Jeff sharing his experiences as a member of the first NSA red team and his involvement in groundbreaking projects. He discusses his early days working with computers at the National Security Agency (NSA) in the 1980s and his role in developing a software-based encryption system. J...

In this episode, Chris and Ron interview Derek Wood from Duality Technologies, a leading privacy technology company to discuss the concept of homomorphic encryption and its significance in data security, privacy, and governance. Homomorphic encryption enables users to perform computations on encrypted data without exposing it, revolutionizing the way data is used and analyzed. In this episode, the...

In this episode, Ron and Chris explore the vast potential of AI in cybersecurity, including its ability to develop cybersecurity solutions, provide recommendations and predictions for cyber practitioners, and even assist attackers in identifying vulnerabilities and creating exploits. Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional: https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystu...

In this episode, hosts Ron and Chris are joined by Brian Contos, Chief Strategy Officer at Sevco to discuss his “movie-like” career trajectory and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity. With two IPOs and eight acquisitions under his career belt, Brian expresses his passion for startups and how getting out of his comfort zone transformed his business knowledge. The group also di...

In this episode, Ron and Chris discuss the challenges of balancing cybersecurity and parenting. Chris, a father of three, shares his experience of being a parent while also working in cybersecurity. They talk about the sacrifices that come with being a parent and how to prioritize family while still maintaining a career in cybersecurity. They also discuss the importance of having a plan but being...

In this episode of Hacker Valley Studio, Ron and Chris take a deep dive into all things Security Architecture and the essential skills you need to thrive in your role. Ron shares insights from his personal journey into security architecture as well as his expert advice on how to break in and stand out in the field. Links: Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:...

In this cybersecurity podcast episode, Chris Cochran and Ron Eddings discuss the concept of 'dojos' as environments for growth and learning, drawing on experiences from their own career paths in cybersecurity. The 'dojo' metaphor is applied to various life experiences, with an emphasis on cybersecurity communities and events. Chris describes his journey to the west coast where he lived in a hacker...

Join hosts Ron and Chris as they dive into the world of Attack Surface Management (ASM) in this episode recorded live at RSAC 2023. Special guest Nabil Hannan, a seasoned industry expert and Field CISO at NetSPI, shares his wealth of knowledge and expertise in this critical field. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of ASM, highlighting NetSPI's unique approach compared to other solution...

In this episode, hosts Ron and Chris are joined by Paul Valente, CEO and co-founder of VISO Trust, and Bryan Wong, Sr. Security Analyst at Headspace, as they dive into the world of third-party risk in cybersecurity. With conversations ranging from the current state of third-party risk to identifying trustworthy vendors such as VISO Trust, they'll provide insights into how organizations manage part...

In this episode, Ron Eddings and Chris Cochran discuss the concept of "paying the piper" and its impact on their careers and personal lives. Paying the piper means facing the consequences of one's actions, whether they are good or bad. Chris shares his personal struggles and successes while working at Netflix, where he had to balance his career and family. Ron and Chris also discuss the importance...

In this podcast episode, Jack Roehrig, Technology Evangelist at Uptycs, discusses his experience with burnout and health issues due to his job as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Jack has always known health is wealth and retired to Mexico for a few months to recover from his burnout. Despite telling himself he wouldn't work again, Jack discovered Uptycs, a leading XDR platform that ha...

In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked importance of empathy in the cybersecurity field. Our guest, Tracy Maleeff, shares her personal journey from community involvement to the industry and discusses how embracing empathy can lead to more effective threat intelligence and a stronger cybersecurity community.   Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional: htt...

Head into RSA 2023 with a purpose. This episode is all about how to reach a win-win when sealing deals, getting hired, and networking. If you want to catch up with the Hacker Valley Team during RSA be sure to jump into our discord. You can join by going to hackervalley.com/discord Impactful Moments 00:00 - Intro 01:28 - Recapping our first time at RSA 03:02 - The 4 types of interactions  05:27 - P...

RSA is right around the corner and we’re so excited because it’s one of our big opportunities to meet with you, our dedicated listener. If you want to catch up with the Hacker Valley Team be sure to jump into our discord. You can join by going to hackervalley.com/discord   Impactful Moments: 00:00 - Intro 01:24 - Introducing Amy Bream & Simone Biles 02:50 - What’s it like being at a cybersecurity...

Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional: https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/ Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord   Impactful Moments 00:00 - In...

Special Thanks to our sponsor NetSPI NetSPI has a team of skilled pen-testers that can help you find those critical vulnerabilities and become your partner in creating the right remediation game plan for you. Check them out at http://netspi.com/HVM   This Hacker Valley Studio episode features Jake Reynolds, Head of Emerging Technology @ NetSPI. We chat with Jake about: 0:00 - Welcome Jake Reynolds...

In this episode of the podcast, Ron Eddings and Chris Cochran share insights and tips on how to navigate a career in cybersecurity. They discuss the importance of having the right mindset, finding the right career path, building a network, and negotiating a salary. Ron and Chris emphasize the value of having a positive attitude and being open to learning and growth. They suggest exploring differen...