Summary
In this episode of the Phillip Wylie Show, Joe Vest shares his extensive journey in the cybersecurity field, from his early days in IT to becoming a prominent figure in red teaming. He discusses the evolution of red teaming, the differences between red teaming and penetration testing, and the importance of understanding technology fundamentals for aspiring security professionals. Joe also reflects on his transition from offensive to defensive security, the challenges of writing a book on red teaming, and offers valuable career advice for those looking to break into the field.
Takeaways
• Joe Vest emphasizes the importance of community in cybersecurity.
• His hacker origin story began in IT, not knowing hacking was a thing.
• Red teaming was not common outside of government when he started.
• He prefers to define security tests based on goals rather than labels.
• The core principles of red teaming have remained unchanged over the years.
• Joe has shifted focus to defensive security and detection engineering.
• Understanding technology fundamentals is crucial for aspiring security professionals.
• He encourages building home labs and practical experience in security.
• Writing a book on red teaming was a significant achievement for Joe.
• He advises that not everyone will take action on security findings, and that's okay.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Joe Vest and Cybersecurity Community
01:59 Joe Vest's Hacker Origin Story
09:24 Understanding Red Teaming vs. Pen Testing
18:50 Evolution of Red Teaming and Current Trends
21:51 Transitioning from Offensive to Defensive Security
28:15 Career Changes and Personal Growth in Cybersecurity
33:59 The Importance of Foundational Knowledge in Security
39:15 Lessons Learned and Advice for Aspiring Security Professionals
Resources
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-vest/
https://x.com/joevest
https://redteam.guide/
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
The Brothers Ortiz
The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.