Cybersecurity recruiter Kyle McIntyre offers unique guidance based on his work as a retained search specialist working with hiring managers (VPs & C-Levels) in the cybersecurity industry in this episode. He and Gene discuss: How to conduct preliminary research on potential employers and career pathsHow to reverse engineer desirable backgrounds to demystify potential career pathsTips on crafting effective & thoughtful outreach to hiring managersAdvice on optimizing your resume & profile for breaking into cyber with no prior industry experienceHow to manage imposter syndrome, anxiety and self-doubt during a job searchMoreKyle McIntyre on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thekylemcintyre/
In this episode, Gene Fay interviews Tom Heiser about his journey and shares tenets for managing oneself. The conversation covers topics such as execution, accountability, expressing passion, doing the best job possible, getting outside one's comfort zone, and focusing on what one can control.TakeawaysExecution is key to success. Just do it.Accountability is important in personal and professional growth.Expressing passion and committing to one's work leads to fulfillment and success.Doing the best job possible is a pathway to career advancement.Getting outside one's comfort zone fosters personal and professional growth.Focus on what you can control and be present in the current situation.
Neil Bahadur, Head of Product in Cybersecurity at Wells Fargo, developed a unique and valuable perspective by switching from security to business development and back to security. In this episode, he and Gene discuss that transition and what he learned from it. They also discuss cybersecurity trends those new to the industry should be aware of, and more.Neil Bahadur on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilbahadur/
One of the most important parts of being a cybersecurity professional is knowing how to ask the right questions, says CISO Aaron Katz. Aaron started his career as a consultant, and says that's where he honed his question skills. He thinks all aspiring cybersecurity pros should start out with consulting gigs – you learn the business side and what questions to ask, plus get a feel for cybersecurity as a whole, rather than just one tool or product.He and Gene talk about this career path, plus his journey to CISO, why hiring managers are not good at finding cybersecurity candidates, and more.Aaron Katz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pendraggon87/
Ed Giles runs cybersecurity seminars for seniors, and wants to spread the word that it's a great way to both get your CPEs and give back to your community. Ed and Gene talk about those seminars, plus Ed's journey from English major to cybersecurity professional, the importance of thinking about security as a business enabler, and more.Ed Giles on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evgiles/
How is AI going to change entry-level cybersecurity jobs? Gene and AgileBlue president Tony Pietrocola discuss in this episode.They also talk about:Tony's career and what AgileBlue doesHow AI will affect both cybersecurity and cybercrimeWhat he's looking for in interns Tony Pietrocola on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonypietrocola/AgileBlue: https://agileblue.com/
Want to start a career as a pen tester? Phillip Wylie literally wrote the book on the topic. Gene and Phillip, co-author of The Pentester Blueprint: Starting a Career as an Ethical Hacker and host of the Phillip Wylie Show, have a wide-ranging and advice-filled conversation on:His career journey and his podcastStarting a pen testing careerCollegiate Cyber Defense CompetitionsHow to leverage B-SidesMorePhillip Wylie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipwylie/The Pentester Blueprint: https://www.amazon.com/Pentester-BluePrint-Your-Guide-Being/dp/1119684307
Kimberly Anstett has had a C-level cybersecurity position for about a decade. She's seen the CIO role transform, and shares her thoughts on that transformation in this episode. She and Gene discuss her journey to CIO, how to inspire the next generation to embrace STEM careers, what she's looking for when hiring, and more. Kimberly Anstett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-anstett-6b3a259/
Why should you work in cybersecurity? Because two things that aren't going away are tech and crime, says BlackBerry VP of Product Security Operations Christine Gadsby. Christine and Gene talk about her journey from working in IT out of necessity to cybersecurity VP, how to reskill into cybersecurity, the Leadership Bench Program she developed at BlackBerry, her advice to those discouraged by the job hunt, and more.Christine Gadsby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinegadsby/Three Reasons Women Should Reskill to Work in Cybersecurity: https://blogs.blackberry.com/en/2023/03/3-reasons-women-should-reskill-to-work-in-cybersecurity
Jim Moran has had a long and varied cybersecurity career, and offers some fantastic advice for those just starting out. He and Gene talk about cybersecurity careers, what he's looking for in entry-level candidates, how to find the best career path for you, and more.Jim Moran on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-moran-0b112925/
Diana Kelley feels strongly that community plays a critical role in all careers, but especially cybersecurity. She explains why in this episode.She and Gene also talk about increasing the number of females in cybersecurity, what she looks for in entry level candidates, and more. Diana Kelley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakelleysecuritycurve/Executive Women's Forum: https://www.ewf-usa.com/WICYS: https://www.wicys.org/
We talk a lot on this podcast about how to advance to the executive level within the cybersecurity field. But what if the C-level is not for you? John Hammond is a security practitioner at heart and wants to stay that way. He shares his thoughts on building a practitioner career in this episode. He and Gene also talk about his experience working for the Department of Defense and about John's prolific side job as a content creator. John Hammond on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhammond010/John Hammond on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/johnhammond010
Want to make the transition from help desk to cybersecurity? Jeff Farinich has helped others make that transition and he shares his advice in this episode.He and Gene also talk about the types of cybersecurity roles, what he looks for in entry level candidates, and more.Jeff Farinich on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefffarinich/
MK Palmore has had a long and fascinating career -- from the military to the FBI to cybersecurity executive at Google. Don't miss his story.He's also a Vice President of Cyversity and has great insights and ideas about bringing more diversity to the cybersecurity field. This is an important and valuable conversation for anyone looking to get into cybersecurity, especially those without technical skills, those with military backgrounds, or those from under-represented populations.MK Palmore on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkpalmore/Cyversity: https://www.cyversity.org/
Interested in behavioral science? The training and awareness side of cybersecurity might be for you – and you should hear Masha Sedova’s story. She offers a fascinating look at the human attack surface – which presents a whole new set of challenges – and they aren’t all technical. She has built a career on solving these challenges, and she sheds light on this lesser-known side of the cybersecurity world.
In this special episode, Gene encourages listeners to spread the word about the so-called "Phantom Hacker" scams targeting the elderly. The FBI recently published an alert about these popular scams that attempt to convince senior citizens that their money is unsafe and they need to move it.Gene outlines how the scam works, and how to protect the elderly in your life.
Cybersecurity is intimidating says Check Point CISO Cindi Carter. But she also says it shouldn’t be. Cindi and Gene talk about how to make cybersecurity more accessible in this episode of the eXecutive Security podcast. They also talk about community involvement, networking, and the advice she gives her mentees. Cindi Carter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindibcarter/ Check Point Software: https://www.linkedin.com/company/check-point-software-technologies/
Most of us don't approach mentoring with the right mindset, says Amanda Fennell of Prove. Thinking of it as "sponsoring" rather than "mentoring" would be a step in the right direction. Gene and Amanda talk about this mindset shift, plus her work at Prove, her work teaching cybersecurity at Tulane, why one of her best security analysts picked up valuable skills from her time as a bartender, and more.Amanda Fennell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afennell/Prove on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proveidentity/Ron Gula "How to Conference": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRLcBPW12bc
Haris Pylarinos found cybersecurity training subpar, and too expensive, so he started a company to do better. Hack The Box is now a leading gamified cybersecurity upskilling, certification, and talent assessment platform with more than 2 million platform members. In this episode, Haris and Gene talk about Hack The Box, its origins and goals; why training plays a key role in addressing the cybersecurity skills gap; why cybersecurity hiring practices need to change, and more.
The author of "Building a Career in Cybersecurity," Yuri Diogenes offers a wealth of knowledge, advice, and tips on entering this field in this episode. He and Gene discuss:Yuri's career journeyHis take on cybersecurity certifications Why building a lab is important for those looking for entry-level rolesHow to be intentional in your attendance at cybersecurity conferences Why often the best technical person doesn’t get the jobYuri Diogenes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuridiogenes/Building a Career in Cybersecurity: https://a.co/d/ivHxIVL