Flight Path

In this conversation, Chris Glandon interviews Josh Mason, a Solutions Architect at CINAC and founder of Newb Village. They discuss Josh's journey from being a U.S. Air Force pilot to entering the cybersecurity field, his motivation behind creating Newb Village to support newcomers in the industry, and his new book 'Speak Security with a Business Accent'. They also explore the role of SYNAC in cybersecurity and share insights on creating a welcoming environment for new professionals in the field. The conversation wraps up with a light-hearted discussion about unique bars and venues in the cybersecurity community.00:00 Josh Mason's Journey into Cybersecurity08:38 The Birth of Noob Village20:02 Speak Security with a Business Accent26:59 Transforming Technical Language for Business Impact30:01 Understanding Metrics for Different Audiences33:15 Aligning Business Goals with Security Metrics36:49 Insights into SYNAC and Its Offerings47:22 Exploring Unique Bars and Venues48:37 Imagining a Cybersecurity-Themed BarSYMLINK[Noob Village] - An inclusive space at DEF CON is designed to welcome and guide newcomers in the cybersecurity community. It offers resources like pamphlets, volunteers (“buddies”), and a booth called “No Stupid Questions” to support first-time attendees.Noob Village LinkedIn Page –A LinkedIn organization page with updates about volunteer calls, community news, and DEF CON involvement .[Joshua C. Mason – LinkedIn] - A cybersecurity leader and vCISO profile with extensive experience, offering insights on Noob Village, initiatives for veterans, and IT-to-security career development. Frequently shares event involvement (like DEF CON), mentorship tips, and professional updates.[Joshua C. Mason – Website] – Josh’s professional website for Mason Security Consulting (Mason SC), where he offers vCISO services, cybersecurity consultancy, and insights from his military and IT background.[Mason SC Book Page] - Josh Mason's personal site, where signed copies of his book are available. The book includes cybersecurity leadership insights drawn from his experiences in the Air Force and IT.[Onward to Opportunity – A career training program for veterans, offering free training and certification opportunities in areas like project management and IT, including PMP and CISSP prep.[Synack] - A cybersecurity company offering “pen test as a service.” It connects clients with vetted ethical hackers using a managed platform to identify exploitable vulnerabilities efficiently.