Episoder

  • Purple Teaming Is the New Job Security with Maril Vernon

    Purple Teaming Is the New Job Security with Maril Vernon

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    Cybersecurity isn’t just red or blue anymore... it’s purple, white, and deeply human. Maril Vernon, award-winning ethical hacker and Senior Solutions Architect at NetSPI, returns to the Hacker Valley Studio to discuss purple teaming as the most future-proof career path in cyber. She opens up about mentorship, burnout, compensation realities, and how we’re still failing the fundamentals.

    Together, Ron and Maril dig into what purple teaming really is (and isn’t), why soft skills matter more than ever, and how defenders are the frontline signal source for law enforcement. From guiding her mom into IR to co-founding Mind Over Cyber, Maril embodies what it means to show up for the cyber community and demand more from the culture itself.

    Impactful Moments

    00:00 - Introduction01:01 - Maril’s role at NetSPI03:00 - Why purple skills are future-proof05:19 - Salary truths in purple teaming08:30 - Know your value, negotiate wisely13:07 - How defenders enable law enforcement16:22 - The real meaning of purple teaming18:39 - Common misconceptions debunked24:45 - People are always the soft spot26:01 - The two security stack must-haves29:00 - Mom made it to incident response30:48 - Maril’s mentorship philosophy34:09 - Why you need to post anyway36:35 - What Mind Over Cyber is really about40:00 - CISOs are burning out silently41:31 - Closing thoughts

    Links:

    Connect with our guest, Maril Vernon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilvernon

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • The AI Gold Rush in Cybersecurity with Chris Cochran

    The AI Gold Rush in Cybersecurity with Chris Cochran

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    The new cybersecurity pioneers aren’t chasing alerts, they’re building with AI. But what happens when tools meant to assist begin making decisions for us? And what skills do we lose when machines fill the gaps we used to grow into?

    In this episode, Chris Cochran, CEO and Founder of Commandant, returns to Hacker Valley Studio with an insider view on building in the AI boom. He shares why he’s betting on incident response over the “AI SOC,” what it means to use AI with integrity, and how this moment mirrors the early industrial revolutions: chaotic, risky, but ripe with once-in-a-career opportunity.

    Impactful Moments:

    00:00 – Introduction02:11 – Launch of Commandant AI03:06 – Early-stage LLM opportunities05:26 – Built first AI co-pilot in 4 hours06:00 – AI bot tops HackerOne leaderboard07:44 – AI used for and against orgs10:14 – Focus on incident response, not AI SOC12:34 – Reducing cost of prolonged incidents14:01 – Cybersecurity changing every 2 months16:58 – AI causing rapid skill loss21:59 – AI-assisted job interviews detected24:49 – AI lacks business context for blocking27:30 – Daily AI use pays long-term dividends

    Links:

    Connect with our guest, Chris Cochran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishvm/

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • Manglende episoder?

    Klik her for at forny feed.

  • The AI That Tried to Escape with Ron Eddings

    The AI That Tried to Escape with Ron Eddings

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    What happens when AI refuses to be replaced? This episode kicks off with a chilling real-world example of an AI threatening blackmail—and only gets more intense from there.

    Host Ron Eddings unpacks the terrifyingly innovative ways AI is altering the cybersecurity threat landscape. From deepfakes convincing enough to fool your own family to auto-summarizing email clients acting as unintentional insiders, the stakes have never been higher. Ron also shares insights from his brand-new book Attack Surface Management, co-authored with MJ Kaufman and published by O'Reilly, and breaks down why the simplest social engineering tactics remain the most dangerous—even in the age of advanced AI.

    Impactful Moments:

    00:00 - Introduction

    02:30 - Model Context Protocol explained

    05:00 - Google's VEO-3 and fake riot videos

    07:00 - Fake Facebook ads pushing malware

    09:30 - Social engineering still reigns supreme

    13:30 - Using AI to write malicious emails

    16:30 - Calendly phishing and credential theft

    19:00 - Gemini and the risk of auto-summarization

    21:30 - LLM access to your private documents

    22:45 - Takeaways and protecting your environment

    Links:

    Connect with Ron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldeddings/

    Grab a copy of Ron’s new book, “Attack Surface Management: Strategies and Techniques for Safeguarding Your Digital Assets”: https://a.co/d/1nmPod2

    Check out the full article on “The Rise of ‘Vibe Hacking’ Is the Next AI Nightmare” here: https://www.wired.com/story/youre-not-ready-for-ai-hacker-agents/

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • Zero Trust Isn’t a Tool — It’s Everything with George Finney

    Zero Trust Isn’t a Tool — It’s Everything with George Finney

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    What if Zero Trust isn’t a framework, but the only viable cybersecurity strategy—more about people than products?

    In this episode, George Finney, CISO at the University of Texas System and author of Project Zero Trust, reveals the human-first truth behind the Zero Trust movement, and why it’s not something you buy but something you build. George shares stories from hacking a college database to launching a deepfake of himself trained on his own books, all while breaking down how AI and creativity are reshaping security leadership.

    Impactful Moments:

    00:00 - Introduction01:16 - Cyber Hall of Fame recognition07:00 - Hacked his college to solve mail09:00 - Took startup job without paycheck14:14 - Zero Trust is a strategy, not tool17:00 - Tailoring security like a custom suit23:29 - AI strategy through Zero Trust lens29:30 - Built a Zero Trust voice clone hotline36:00 - You don’t need to be a CISO38:30 - Why weirdos make cybersecurity stronger

    Links:

    Connect with our guest, George Finney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgefinney/

    Check out George’s books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01MT0C6X3

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • Your Two-Year Edge Starts Now with Marco Figueroa

    Your Two-Year Edge Starts Now with Marco Figueroa

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    You won’t be replaced by AI—you’ll be replaced by someone using it better.

    Returning guest Marco Figueroa is back with a frontline report on the AI agent boom. This isn’t a prediction—it’s a tactical update from someone tracking every release, every benchmark battle, and every edge worth chasing.

    In this episode, Ron is joined by Marco as he breaks down the rapid evolution of AI agents—from Claude Code to Codex to Google Flow. He explains why general-purpose models are leveling off, how specialized tools are reshaping the landscape, and why creativity is now your most valuable edge. Whether you're in code, ops, or content, your two-year advantage starts right here.

    Impactful Moments

    00:00 - Introduction01:08 - AI agents are no longer hype03:45 - Major LLM releases and what's next05:32 - The Grok delay and pricing drama07:30 - Why general models are losing steam10:50 - Benchmark manipulation and model specialization14:15 - The future belongs to creatives22:05 - The next AI drops to watch

    Links:

    Connect with our guest, Marco Figueroa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-figueroa-re/

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • Badge Cloning, Alarm Triggers & Getting Hired to Hack with Greg Hatcher & John Stigerwalt

    Badge Cloning, Alarm Triggers & Getting Hired to Hack with Greg Hatcher & John Stigerwalt

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    Most people think red teaming is digital—until someone bypasses your locks, plants a Raspberry Pi in your server room, and walks out with your data. That’s not sci-fi. That’s White Knight Labs.

    In this episode, Ron talks with Greg Hatcher and John Stigerwalt, co-founders of White Knight Labs, a boutique offensive security firm built on real-world action. They share high-stakes red team operations—like triggering alarms and dodging police during a break-in—and explain why most companies are wide open to physical and insider threats. This isn’t a theory. It’s what’s happening right now, and it’s being executed with precision and purpose.

    Impactful Moments

    00:00 - Introduction

    02:13 - Origin story of White Knight Labs

    08:56 - Why physical red teaming is broken

    12:20 - Breaking into a lottery facility

    16:00 - Hiding from police mid-engagement

    22:30 - Getting hired to breach from inside

    25:45 - Hijacking code from offshore devs

    33:29 - Real difference: red team vs pen test

    35:00 - Get in touch with WKL

    Links

    Connect with our guests! Greg Hatcher: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregoryhatcher2/John Stigerwalt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-stigerwalt-90a9b4110/

    Learn more about White Knight Labs: https://www.whiteknightlabs.com

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • Building Cyber Resilience Through Culture with David Shipley

    Building Cyber Resilience Through Culture with David Shipley

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    What if fixing cybersecurity wasn’t about more tools, but about unlocking human potential?

    In this episode, Ron Eddings welcomes back David Shipley, CEO and Field CSO of Beauceron Security, for a conversation on the real force behind security resilience: people. Together they expose the failure of "reactive" cybersecurity strategies, drawing parallels with preventative healthcare — and explain why culture, psychological safety, and behavior change are the true secret weapons.

    Impactful Moments:

    00:00 - Introduction

    01:36 - The true meaning of "people in cyber"

    03:13 - Cybersecurity’s flawed healthcare analogy

    07:31 - Nutrition for cyber: proactive strategies

    10:00 - MSPs: why selling tools isn’t enough

    16:22 - Measuring culture, not just clicks

    19:12 - Why people really click phishing emails

    23:59 - Building psychological safety in security

    30:30 - Celebrating human wins in security

    34:00 - The future: empathy, transparency, trust

    Links:

    Connect with our guest, David Shipley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dbshipley/

    Learn more about Beauceron Security here: https:///www.beauceronsecurity.com/partner

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • Ditch the Spreadsheets: Smarter Crypto Security with Michael Klieman

    Ditch the Spreadsheets: Smarter Crypto Security with Michael Klieman

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    Still tracking certificates in a spreadsheet? You’re not alone—and there’s a better way.

    In this special episode from RSA 2025, Ron sits down with Michael Klieman, Global Vice President of Product Management for Digital Security Solutions at Entrust, to discuss how leading organizations are rethinking cryptographic security. From simplifying certificate management to preparing for a post-quantum future, this conversation covers real-world risks, surprising breach stories, and practical steps for bringing order to crypto chaos—without the stress.

    Impactful Moments:

    00:00 – Introduction04:00 – Three major problems with crypto today06:45 – Certificates often missing from inventories08:30 – Managing EV charging infrastructure with spreadsheets11:00 – The two biggest certificate-related risks12:50 – Expired certs can tank brand trust14:45 – Automation usually comes after spreadsheets16:30 – Why quantum risk grows every year18:15 – Start with a cryptographic inventory20:30 – Nation-state threats and critical infrastructure22:15 – AI could fast-track quantum breakthroughs24:45 – Entrust’s new unified crypto security platform26:35 – One question every CISO must answer in 2025

    Links:

    Connect with our guest, Michael Klieman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mklieman/

    Learn more about Entrust at: https://www.hackervalley.com/entrust

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • Protecting People, Not Just Perimeters with Andrey Suzdaltsev

    Protecting People, Not Just Perimeters with Andrey Suzdaltsev

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    AI is reshaping the cybersecurity battlefield, and cyber adversaries are getting smarter.

    In this episode, Ron Eddings welcomes Andrey Suzdaltsev, Co-Founder and CEO of Brightside AI, for a look into the evolution of social engineering, AI’s role in personalized phishing, and how Brightside is turning the tables with automation and human-centric protection. From offensive AI simulations to family-inclusive cyber safety, Andrey shares how his team secures both professional and personal perimeters before cybercriminals can strike.

    Impactful Moments

    00:00 Cyber criminals get a theatrical glow-up

    01:47 AI models + personal data = mass fraud

    03:42 Brightside’s 3-part solution explained

    07:32 Why security must get personal

    11:16 Ron’s reaction to Brightside’s realism

    13:16 AI research tools now used by hackers

    19:33 Why deepfake detection may fail

    15:16 Automating attacks with AI agents

    37:34 Protecting families = smarter security

    41:56 Brightside’s vision for defending human risk

    Links

    Connect with our guest, Andrey Suzdaltsev: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ndrey

    Learn more about Brightside: www.brside.com

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • Digital Clutter and the Death of Passwords with Collin Sweeney & Chase Cunningham

    Digital Clutter and the Death of Passwords with Collin Sweeney & Chase Cunningham

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    Passwords are the original digital clutter—messy, overstuffed, and way too easy to forget. Like a junk drawer full of old keys and cables, we keep tossing more into them, hoping they’ll somehow keep working. But what if it’s time to throw the whole thing out?

    In this episode, Ron Eddings is joined by Collin Sweeney of ZKX Solutions and Dr. Chase Cunningham, a.k.a. “Dr. Zero Trust,” for a bold conversation on the future of authentication. From the failures of MFA to the promise of zero-knowledge proofs, the crew breaks down how we got stuck with broken access systems—and what it’ll take to finally fix them. Whether it’s SIM swapping, face IDs, or security keys on the battlefield, this is the real talk on identity security you don’t want to miss.

    Impactful Moments:

    00:00 – Introduction03:45 – ZKX’s origin: voice verification breakthrough06:45 – Collin’s “oh crap” SolarWinds realization09:15 – Why MFA still fails in practice13:15 – Zero-knowledge proofs explained with a coin15:30 – How ZKPs reduce identity attack surfaces17:45 – Making MFA faster, smarter, more human20:00 – MFA fatigue and ice skating uphill24:00 – Why people still cling to passwords30:54 – Quantum fears vs real-world encryption limits

    Links:

    Connect with Collin Sweeney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collin-sweeney-6ab6a5176/

    Check out ZKX Solutions new product, Helix:

    zkxsolutions.com/helix

    Connect with Chase Cunningham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-chase-cunningham/

    Grab a copy of Chase Cunningham's book “vArIable: A Novel in the gAbrIel Series” here: www.amazon.com/vArIable-gAbrIel-Dr-Chase-Cunningham-ebook/dp/B0DVMWCWCD?ref_=ast_author_mp

    Check out Hacker Valley’s upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    B

  • What Most Cybersecurity Advice Misses—And How to Fix It with Robert Hansen

    What Most Cybersecurity Advice Misses—And How to Fix It with Robert Hansen

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    What if the biggest threat to cybersecurity isn’t attackers—but the defenders themselves? Why are we still building tools for experts in a world where technical skills are fading fast?

    In this episode, Ron Eddings sits down with legendary hacker and investor Robert Hansen (aka RSnake) to talk about startup strategy, LLM-powered workflows, and the uncomfortable truth about skill decline in security teams. You’ll hear how he built an AI-powered threat intel engine, why most cybersecurity advice is outdated, and his hard-earned wisdom on surviving—and thriving—in a landscape built to break you.

    Impactful Moments:

    00:00 - Introduction01:30 - Meeting RSnake at Hacker Hoedown04:50 - AI-powered newsletter curation08:15 - Ranking news by global impact13:00 - Keeping LLM costs under 25 cents/day16:10 - Paths to revenue for cybersecurity pros24:00 - Why venture capital often kills innovation33:20 - Cloud migration and the crocodile problem37:00 - Decline in practitioner technical skill40:00 - Designing tools for non-experts

    Links:

    Connect with our guest, Robert “RSnake” Hansen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberthansen3/

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • Hackers Have HR Now? featuring Christopher Budd

    Hackers Have HR Now? featuring Christopher Budd

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    The internet once came this close to crashing—and Microsoft was on the front line.

    In this episode, cybersecurity veteran Christopher Budd takes us inside the Microsoft Security Response Center during one of the most chaotic cyber events in modern history. From the Nimda worm of 2001 to ransomware turf wars, and the weird future where threat actors post job ads for ransom note writers, Christopher lays it all out with perspective only decades in the game can bring. If you think AI or ransomware is the endgame, you’re not seeing the whole board.

    Impactful Moments:

    00:00 - Introduction04:35 - Breaking down the Nimda attack07:00 - “We carried 90% of the internet”10:37 - Ransomware gangs fighting for headlines15:26 - Secure perimeter is officially dead17:31 - AI as your cybernetic exosuit24:00 - Filtering 100,000 security emails with AI27:05 - Privacy tension in AI-powered defense32:00 - The inevitable swing back to local control35:31 - “You will”: when sci-fi became real

    Links:

    Connect with our guest, Christopher Budd: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherbudd/

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • Staying Ahead in the Age of AI Agents with Marco Figueroa

    Staying Ahead in the Age of AI Agents with Marco Figueroa

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    Marco Figueroa is back, and his AI predictions aren’t just coming true—they’re unfolding faster than anyone expected. AI agents aren’t on the horizon—they’re already here, and security teams are scrambling to keep up.

    Building on his bold January prediction that 2025 would be the Year of the AI Agent, Marco returns to break down real-world threats, including an insider attack using an infinite logic bomb. From the rise of AI-driven security tools to the biggest risks companies aren’t ready for, this episode is your roadmap to staying ahead in the new AI era.

    Impactful Moments:

    00:00 - Introduction02:00 - Insider threat case: Infinite logic bomb attack06:00 - Why AI will transform security forever10:00 - AI agents will replace entire workflows16:00 - The AI pricing war is heating up22:00 - How to structure AI-driven security workflows30:00 - The mind-blowing AI coding method you need38:00 - The future of AI-assisted cybersecurity teams

    Links:

    Connect with our guest, Marco Figueroa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-figueroa-re/

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • I Built an AI Version of Myself – Here’s Why with Marcus J. Carey

    I Built an AI Version of Myself – Here’s Why with Marcus J. Carey

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    The best time to be alive is right now—if you know how to use AI. Marcus J. Carey, Principal Research Scientist at ReliaQuest, is harnessing AI to supercharge creativity, cybersecurity, and career development. In this episode, he shares the workflows he uses that redefine productivity, from dictating books in a week to building a personal AI twin.

    In this episode, Ron and Marcus highlight AI’s true power—when used right. They discuss why intuition is the secret ingredient, how AI is reshaping cybersecurity, and why people who master AI will lead the future. Plus, Marcus breaks down how he built his own personal GPT, his approach to learning, and why he sees AI as a tool, not a threat.

    Impactful Moments:

    00:00 - Introduction01:18 - Meet Marcus J. Carey03:00 - Using AI to write a book fast06:00 - Creating a personal AI twin09:00 - AI’s impact on cybersecurity defense15:00 - The power of intuition in AI22:00 - Why learning fundamentals still matters30:00 - AI-enhanced workflows for coding36:00 - The reality of AI "hallucinations"39:00 - Final thoughts on mastering AI

    Links:

    Connect with our guest, Marcus J. Carey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcuscarey/

    Grab a copy of Marcus’ book, “Hacker, Inc.: Mindset For Your Career” here: https://a.co/d/8i7waDc

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • Cyber Warfare, Digital Deception, and the Hidden Threats We Ignore with Dr. Eric Cole

    Cyber Warfare, Digital Deception, and the Hidden Threats We Ignore with Dr. Eric Cole

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    We’re already in World War III—just not the kind you’re thinking of. Cyber warfare is here, and the battlefield is your inbox, your bank account, and your digital identity. So why are we still acting like it’s peacetime?

    Dr. Eric Cole, cybersecurity pioneer and former CIA hacker, joins the show to drop hard truths about the state of cyber warfare, AI’s role in our digital future, and why most people are sleepwalking through a war they don’t even realize they’re in. From the rise of deepfakes to North Korea’s billion-dollar hacking economy, this episode is one you can’t afford to ignore.

    Impactful Moments:

    00:00 - Introduction02:00 - Dr. Eric Cole’s journey from the CIA to cybersecurity leadership07:20 - The fundamentals of hacking and why they still matter11:00 - AI is only as smart as the data we give it17:00 - The rise of deepfakes and digital deception19:45 - Cyber warfare: How North Korea funds its economy through hacking23:50 - The problem with America’s peacetime mentality30:00 - Should we be worried about AI replacing humans?36:10 - The key to success: mastering people skills, not just tech skills40:30 - Final thoughts and where to follow Dr. Eric Cole

    Connect with Dr. Eric Cole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericcole1/

    Check out Dr. Eric Cole’s books –

    Cyber Crisis: Protecting Your Business from Real Threats in the Virtual World: https://www.amazon.com/Cyber-Crisis-Protecting-Business-Threats/dp/B093X3YNPT

    Online Danger: How to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from the Evil Side of the Internet:https://www.amazon.com/Online-Danger-Protect-Yourself-Internet-ebook/dp/B078WK39TT

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • The AI Shift You Can’t Ignore with Marco Figueroa

    The AI Shift You Can’t Ignore with Marco Figueroa

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    AI isn’t just evolving—it’s sprinting, and cybersecurity needs to keep up.

    Ron Eddings is joined again by cybersecurity leader Marco Figueroa, Program Manager for Gen AI at the ODIN Bug Bounty Program, who called it in January: 2025 is the year of AI agents, and the early signs are already here. From Grok 3’s speed advantage to AI-powered red teaming for $25K, this is the reality check security leaders need. No more six-month security projects—it’s all about speed, automation, and staying ahead.

    Impactful Moments:

    00:00 - Introduction

    01:45 - Breaking down Palantir’s stock drop

    07:15 - Why Grok 3 is a game-changer

    10:24 - The real difference between GPT-4 and Grok

    17:25 - AI-powered red teaming for $25K?

    22:00 - The death of six-month security projects

    26:24 - OpenAI’s Operator: The future or a gimmick?

    34:22 - How AI is eliminating busywork

    36:55 - Next month’s prediction: Agents building agents

    Links:

    Connect with our guest, Marco Figueroa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-figueroa-re/

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • Superhuman Productivity and AI Mastery with Pedram Amini

    Superhuman Productivity and AI Mastery with Pedram Amini

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    What if you could have a conversation with yourself—years into the future? Or leave behind an AI-powered avatar that understands your thoughts, philosophies, and even your voice? In this episode, we explore the mind-blowing potential of AI and its impact on cybersecurity, productivity, and even legacy.

    Pedram Amini, Chief Scientist at OPSWAT, joins Ron Eddings to discuss his journey from bootstrapped startups to AI-driven innovation. Together they cover topics like the role of AI in cybersecurity, the rise of fake identities in hiring, the ethics of AI-generated content, and why mastering AI tools is no longer optional—it's essential. Pedram shares his workflow for superhuman productivity, his thoughts on deepfakes, and how AI is reshaping how we work and communicate.

    Impactful Moments:

    00:00 - Introduction02:00 - Meet Pedram Amini, cyber innovator03:07 - The $17M North Korea insider threat case06:00 - Fake job candidates and AI hiring scams09:28 - Deepfakes and AI-driven deception14:00 - Future of AI-powered personal assistants20:49 - The reality of bootstrapping vs. VC funding26:00 - AI in cybersecurity: risk or revolution?31:00 - “AI isn’t taking your job—someone using AI is”35:00 - The ultimate AI-powered legacy project

    Links:

    Connect with our guest, Pedram Amini: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedramamini/

    Check out the entire article about the $17M North Korea insider threat case here: https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/12/arizona_woman_laptop_farm_guilty/

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • Cybersecurity Meets AI: The Good, The Bad & The Janky

    Cybersecurity Meets AI: The Good, The Bad & The Janky

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    There’s no doubt that AI is changing the game in cybersecurity, but not always in the ways we expect.

    In this episode, Ron Eddings shares his firsthand experience with AI-powered tools that make him a cyber superhero—when they work. From automating security tasks to turbocharging programming workflows, AI is proving its value, but also revealing its limits. Through live walkthroughs and real-world examples, he showcases how AI automates security tasks, accelerates programming, and enhances research—while also showing why some cybersecurity actions should stay human-led.

    Impactful Moments:

    00:00 - Introduction

    02:00 - The good and bad of AI in security

    04:00 - Google’s AI weapons controversy

    06:30 - Deepfake scams and AI-powered phishing

    09:00 - How AI helps (and fails) at programming

    12:00 - Automating security research with AI

    18:00 - AI-generated meeting notes & productivity hacks

    21:00 - What AI should NEVER do

    23:00 - The future of AI in cybersecurity

    Links:

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • A Human-Centric Approach to Cybersecurity with Edna Conway

    A Human-Centric Approach to Cybersecurity with Edna Conway

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    What if cybersecurity was more than just tech—what if it was about the people it serves? In this episode, Edna Conway, Founder and CEO of EMC Advisors, shares her incredible journey from law to cybersecurity and explores the human element often overlooked in technology.

    Recorded live at InfoSec Nashville 2024, Edna discusses the intersection of innovation and tradition, the critical role of accuracy in AI, and her vision for cybersecurity's future. From anomaly detection to the wisdom of creating "enclaves," her insights remind us that tech is here to serve people, not the other way around.

    Impactful Moments:

    00:00 – Introduction01:22 – Keynote insights: Innovation meets tradition02:39 – From prosecutor to cybersecurity leader07:00 – Human-first approach to AI and security11:40 – LLMs in cybersecurity: opportunities and accuracy16:34 – Balancing risk with AI use in business23:06 – Bringing diverse talent into cybersecurity32:30 – Advice on leadership and collaboration

    Links:

    Connect with our guest, Edna Conway: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ednaconway/

    Learn more about ISSA Middle TN here: https://issamidtn.org/

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

  • Rise of the Machines: Why Your Attack Surface Has More Holes Than You Think ft Pandian Gnanaprakasam

    Rise of the Machines: Why Your Attack Surface Has More Holes Than You Think ft Pandian Gnanaprakasam

    · Hacker Valley Studio

    Did you know nearly half of your enterprise devices are agentless—leaving your attack surface wide open? In this episode, Ron is joined by Pandian Gnanaprakasam, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Ordr, to discuss the critical risks posed by agentless devices and how orchestration can strengthen your defenses.

    Pandian shares key findings from Ordr’s 2024 "Rise of the Machines" report, highlighting the risks of overlooked agentless devices. He covers the rapid growth of these devices, strategies to manage vulnerabilities, and how automation can strengthen your defenses.

    Impactful Moments:

    00:00 - Introduction

    04:15 - Why agentless devices dominate the next decade

    06:30 - Insights from Ordr's “Rise of the Machines” report

    08:50 - Hidden risks: 42% of devices are agentless

    11:15 - Solving the "Swiss cheese" problem of security gaps

    14:30 - Prioritizing vulnerabilities with business context

    18:10 - Orchestration vs. automation: The harmony difference

    22:00 - Why visibility is the foundation of security

    27:30 - Ordr’s unique approach to securing the attack surface

    Links:

    Connect with our guest, Pandian Gnanaprakasam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gpandian/

    Check out Ordr’s Rise of the Machines report here: https://ordr.net/resources/rise-of-the-machines-report-2024

    Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

    Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

    https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

    Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

    Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

    Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

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