GIAC Certifications: Trust Me I'm Certified

For someone who wrote her first computer program at age 4, Jessica Hyde's journey into infosec took a more winding route than you'd expect. After dropping out of high school, she worked in retail management until 9/11, when she realized she had to do something that made a difference in the world. Since joining the Marines, she's become a Master's-level expert in digital forensics. In this episode, she and Jason ...

Jason and Jacquelyn Blanchard complement each other not only as husband and wife, but through the combination of their unique skill sets. They bring together their talents - Jason as a marketer, and Jacque as an infosec professional - in a twice-weekly livestream to help the community find jobs, an especially important mission in today's market. In this episode, they talk with host Jason Nickola about the steps you need to tak...

Though Ed Skoudis knew he was a tinkerer since playing with Legos during childhood, his younger self could never have envisioned the expansive career he now has. In this episode, Ed shares advice gleaned from years of creating challenges, building teams, and writing and teaching SANS courses. He and Jason discuss why CTFs are essential skill-building tools at any career level, how to overcome self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and w...

Despite being a GSE-certified cybersecurity expert, Chris Sanders is up front about the fact that infosec is not his true passion. In this episode, Sanders describes how diving deep into the world of computers and cybersecurity led him to his ultimate passion - teaching and helping others - and how continuing to pursue the infosec path allows him to fulfill career goals he may not otherwise have met. He also discusses how his upbri...

In part 2 of this special 2-part episode, top cyber defense practitioner O'Shea Bowens joins our host Jason to continue their discussion about strategically building a career in infosec. They discuss key factors in determining the value of training and choosing the right training course for your desired career path, along with how to leverage certifications with your employer. They also discuss the necessary skills for moving ...

From his first "hack" (getting unlimited ammo on Oregon Trail) at age 12, O'Shea Bowens knew he liked working with computers. Despite studying a completely different field in college, he has built a successful career in cybersecurity. In this episode, he and Jason walk through his strategic path not just into infosec, but into progressively higher-level roles. They discuss the importance of effective communication, t...

Once known for wrestling a bear, Phillip Wylie is now a leading penetration tester and mentor to many. In this episode, he tells our host, Jason Nickola, the story of his unlikely path to cybersecurity and how it's become a career he "lives and breathes."

He offers advice on how to become a mentor to others trying to build their career, as well as ways to overcome common fears like public speaking. Phillip and Jason a...

As a self-taught programmer since elementary school, Chris Elgee is no stranger to learning by trial and error. Now a challenge developer and penetration tester, he shares advice on how to build a career you're passionate about.

In this episode, Elgee discusses the importance of creating a strong network, both in local communities and throughout the industry, as well as the critical role of education and certifications in devel...

Though many know him as the author of SANS course SEC487: OSINT Gathering and Analysis, Micah Hoffman didn’t set out to become a cybersecurity expert. In this episode, Jason and Micah discuss how his early career changes played a role in his experience of imposter syndrome as a cybersecurity practitioner, but also ultimately set him up for success. 

He also touches on the importance of being open to unexpected opportunities that tog...

Chris Cochran's interest in technology began early - from watching Terminator as a child to studying computer science after hours in high school. In this episode, he shares how his experiences in the Marine Corps and working in government and the private sector have helped him not only build a successful career in cybersecurity, but also confidence in himself by viewing work and life as practice for critical situations. Cochra...

Lesley Carhart, principal threat analyst at a leading cybersecurity company, was brought up on a farm with an "old-school hacker" (her dad). She shares how her experiences as a high school coder and military avionics technician ultimately led her to a successful cyber security career.

Despite all her success, like most of us Carhart is no stranger to imposter syndrome. She discusses the barriers she's faced to being p...