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The show that decrypts the secrets of offensive cybersecurity, one byte at a time. Every week I invite you into the world of ethical hacking by interviewing leading offensive security practitioners. If you are a penetration tester, bug bounty hunter, red teamer, or blue teamer who wants to better understand the modern hacker mindset, whether you are new or experienced, this show is for you.
68 Episodes
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In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark sits down with cybersecurity professional and entrepreneur Bhanu Reddy to talk about how to start a cybersecurity career from anywhere in the world, even if you live outside the U.S. or in a developing country. Bhanu shares his real journey from India to the United States, including how he passed the OSCP certification, landed cybersecurity jobs, and launched an AI startup. They discuss visas, networking, education paths, certifications, and ...
In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I sit down with penetration tester and security researcher Trent Miller (AzureAD) to talk about the one thing that makes pentesting fun instead of stressful: genuine friendships and community. We discuss how learning from other hackers, sharing experiences, and joining groups like DEF CON DC608 can accelerate your growth far beyond certifications or labs. Trent opens up about work-life balance, avoiding burnout, and the value of teaching what you learn, ...
Struggling to land a cybersecurity job after passing the OSCP? In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I break down why the OSCP certification alone isn’t enough to secure a penetration testing role. From the importance of starting in entry-level IT positions and gaining real-world technical experience, to building soft skills, showcasing work ethic, and differentiating yourself in an oversaturated market, I share hard truths and actionable advice for aspiring ethical hackers. Whether you’re j...
Senior penetration tester Vladimir Ichkov shares what really matters in cybersecurity job interviews from the perspective of both a candidate and an interviewer. We discuss the role of soft skills, confidence, and humor in landing a pentesting job, common red flags that turn interviewers away, and how technical experience as a system administrator can give you an edge. If you’re preparing for a cybersecurity interview or want insider tips to stand out, this episode reveals job interview secre...
Breaking into cybersecurity isn’t about being “good enough.” It’s about outworking the 1,000 other applicants fighting for the same job. In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache podcast, I share the raw truth about competing in today’s cybersecurity job market, why certifications and hands-on projects matter more than ever, and how to stand out when everyone claims to have the same skills. Whether you’re chasing your first role or leveling up, this episode gives you the mindset and strategies to...
In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark sits down with Carl Vincent, better known as Vyrus, to unpack the shifting realities of cybersecurity. Carl shares straight talk on the Silver Bullet ecosystem that fraud actors rely on, why today’s cybercrime is more about account access than shell popping, and how blue teams can actually turn criminal tradecraft into an intelligence advantage. The conversation spans everything from DEF CON nostalgia and salsa shots to the practical power of...
In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, returning guest Ryan Daub shares his journey from IT support to offensive security and reveals practical advice on how to level up fast in your first cybersecurity role. We cover the importance of mastering fundamentals, documenting your work, learning from failures, and asking questions without fear. Ryan also opens up about leading internal pentests, preparing for the OSCP, transitioning toward red teaming, and why patience and persistence are key to l...
In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark sits down with Red Team Consultant Robert O’Connor to unpack the realities of shellcode evasion in 2025. They dive into how antivirus and EDR solutions actually detect malicious payloads, the rise of fileless malware, and why network-level detection is still overlooked. Robert shares his hands-on experience building custom evasion techniques, his transition from pentesting to red teaming, and how certifications like CRTO and OSED fit into the...
In this Q&A episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark tackles some of the biggest questions aspiring and active cybersecurity professionals ask. From whether you should stack network pentesting certs like CPTS, OSCP, and PNPT or mix in web certifications like OSWA and CBBH, to why you really can’t choose wrong in cybersecurity as long as you keep learning and taking action. Kyser also shares practical advice on breaking into cloud pentesting, the value (and cost) of certifications like C...
In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I sit down with penetration tester Tadi Kandango to unpack why attention is the real currency in cybersecurity. We talk about how he broke into pentesting without a degree, the role certifications actually play, and why sharing your work publicly can open more doors than quietly grinding in the background. Whether you’re trying to land your first role or level up your career, this conversation will challenge how you think about breaking into the field.&n...
In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark sits down with Dino Dunn, an AI security professional and cybersecurity instructor, to uncover the hidden risks most organizations overlook when adopting large language models and AI tools. From overlooked governance issues to the dangers of Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and even how compromised AI preferences could enable stealthy breaches, Dino breaks down real-world attack scenarios and shares practical advice for staying ahead of e...
In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, senior penetration tester and red teamer Nick Aures shares the skills and habits that matter most in pentesting beyond certifications. We discuss real-world experiences from breaking into the field to finding critical vulnerabilities in companies like Tesla, USAA, and Asana. Nick reveals why strong communication, report writing, and client relationships are just as essential as technical skills, along with insights into bug bounty hunting, red teaming, a...
Are cybersecurity certifications still worth it in 2025? Or are they just expensive pieces of paper with no real impact on your job prospects? In this solo episode, Kyser Clark cuts through the noise and tackles the growing wave of anti-certification advice circulating online. He shares what he's actually seeing in the job market, why certifications still matter, and how to think critically about which ones to pursue. If you're confused about certs or second-guessing your next move, this epis...
In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, returning guest Josh Ragland shares how offensive security skills give blue teamers a serious edge. From building a hash-cracking rig to diving deep into C programming and assembly, Josh explains how understanding the attacker’s mindset can drastically cut triage time and help defenders spot threats others miss. We also get into the flaws of relying too heavily on AI in cybersecurity, discuss realistic detection testing without a red team, and reflect on...
In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark interviews legendary social engineer Alethe Denis to explore the ethical limits of influence in red team engagements. From her DEF CON Black Badge victory to her groundbreaking work at Bishop Fox, Alethe shares hard-earned insights on emotional manipulation, deepfakes, social engineering strategy, and why some tactics cross the line, even when they work. Whether you're a cybersecurity professional, aspiring red teamer, or just fascinated by t...
This episode marks one year of The Hacker’s Cache. To celebrate, I’ve compiled the most powerful, insightful, and thought-provoking moments from every single episode of Season 1, all 52 of them, in one back-to-back highlight reel. This isn’t just a recap. It’s a front-row seat to the best hot takes, bold opinions, unique insights, and raw truths from some of the most driven minds in cybersecurity. Whether you're a red teamer, aspiring hacker, or cybersecurity professional looking for real-wo...
In this Q&A episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I answer your top questions about breaking into cybersecurity from a software engineering background, whether an associate's degree is worth pursuing, and how I prepare for CompTIA certifications using third-party resources. I also open up about why YouTube took down one of my most popular Wi-Fi hacking videos, how it led to a permanent warning on my channel, and what that means for future technical content. If you're navigating the transition in...
In this episode, Richie Vinson (4NU81X7H3H4CK3r) shares how he broke into red teaming without a college degree or the OSCP certification. He explains why he skipped traditional credentials, how volunteering at cybersecurity conferences helped him bypass the HR firewall, and what newcomers can do to stand out. From earning a Black Badge at HackSpace to working in OT security, Richie offers real-world insights into breaking into cybersecurity through networking, hands-on skills, and personal st...
In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark interviews John Kounelis, a Senior Product Security Engineer with a background in software development and AppSec. John shares how discovering vulnerabilities in his own code led him to a full-time role in application security, and explains the key differences in AppSec across defense, biotech, and SaaS industries. They discuss the realities of bug bounty hunting, the limitations of CTFs, how developers unintentionally introduce vulnerabiliti...
In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, senior offensive security consultant Michael Kim shares how he landed a cybersecurity job without knowing all the answers in the interview and why hiring managers still chose him. We discuss how to ace your cybersecurity interview, the importance of mindset and growth, and why technical skills alone aren’t enough. Michael also opens up about his unconventional path from zoology and DJing to penetration testing, and how he built his network through Linked...
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