The Audit - Cybersecurity Podcast

Dallas Turner's $240,000 fraud loss isn't just celebrity news—it's a wake-up call for anyone with a bank account. When even NFL linebackers fall victim to social engineering, what does that mean for the rest of us? 

In this episode of The Audit, co-hosts Joshua Schmidt, Eric Brown, and Nick Mellem break down the sophisticated tactics behind this massive financial fraud and reveal why help desk vulnerabilities are beco...

What does it take to build real cybersecurity skills in underserved communities? In this episode of The Audit, Rasheed Alowonle shares his journey from Chicago to becoming a cybersecurity educator and community advocate. This isn't your typical career advice—it's about fortifying communities through practical security hygiene and hands-on learning.

Co-hosts Joshua J Schmidt, Eric Brown, and Nick Mellum dive deep with Rashe...

What happens when your carefully crafted incident response playbook becomes worthless? Cody Sullivan from OpsBook reveals the brutal truth about tabletop exercises: most organizations are practicing with medieval armor for a drone war. From 70-participant, 6-hour exercises spanning three continents to the harsh reality of insider threats, this conversation exposes the gaps that could leave your organization bleeding when the real a...

Think you can manage industrial systems like your IT infrastructure? Think again. In this episode of The Audit, Dino Busalachi unpacks the high-stakes complexity of OT-IT convergence—and why your trusty IT playbook flatlines on the plant floor. 

Join the IT Audit Labs crew as we dive into the chaos of managing 10,000+ industrial assets across a sprawling landscape of vendors, protocols, and operational rules that laugh in ...

What happens when you cross a Tamagotchi with a Wi-Fi hacking tool? You get the Pwnagotchi—a pocket-sized device that "feeds" on Wi-Fi handshakes and learns from its environment. In this episode, Jayden Traufler and Cameron Birkland join the crew to demonstrate how this deceptively cute device can passively capture encrypted Wi-Fi credentials from any network in range, autonomously gather handshakes, share intelligence wi...

Your network is talking behind your back—but Pi-hole is listening. Join The Audit as Pi-hole co-founders Dan Schaper and Adam Warner reveal how their open-source DNS sinkhole technology has become the secret weapon for over 200,000 privacy-conscious users worldwide. 

In this episode, we discuss: 

• How Pi-hole evolved from a simple ad blocker to a critical network security tool 
• Why DNS-level filtering stops threats before they reac...

Join The Audit for a news-packed episode as cybersecurity expert Matt Starland recounts a chilling near-miss with an E-Z Pass phishing scam—received just minutes after renting a car in Florida. His close call highlights how scammers exploit timing and context to deceive even seasoned professionals. 

In this episode, we discuss: 

• How a security pro nearly fell for a perfectly timed phishing text 
• The FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Repor...

Join The Audit as we dive into the high-stakes intersection of critical infrastructure and cybersecurity with Tim Herman, President of InfraGard Minnesota. InfraGard is a unique public-private partnership with the FBI designed to protect the 85% of America's essential systems owned by the private sector. From power grids to transportation, the vulnerabilities are real—and increasingly complex. 

In this episode, we discuss: 

• ...

Join The Audit as we explore the cutting-edge world of quantum computing with information security architect, Bill Harris. Quantum technology is advancing at breakneck speed, pushing the boundaries of computation, while Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is making encrypted communications nearly unbreakable. 

As multiple sectors race to integrate quantum and AI, cybersecurity experts are racing to implement quantum-resistant encryption ...

What Really Happens to Your Trash? Inside Modern Waste Management

Is your trash really being recycled, or is it ending up in a landfill? In this episode of The Audit, we sit down with Trista Martinson, Executive Director at Ramsey Washington Recycling & Energy, to uncover the surprising technology and cybersecurity challenges behind modern waste management.

Trista joins the IT Audit Labs team to reveal how AI, robotics, and envir...

Are SOC audits just another compliance requirement, or do they provide real security value? In this episode of The Audit, we sit down with Adam Russell from Schellman to debunk common misconceptions about SOC audits and explore why they’re more than just a checkbox exercise—especially for startups. 

Adam joins the IT Audit Labs team for a deep dive into the often-misunderstood world of attestations, sharing expert insights on how or...

Think audits are just paperwork? Think again. They’re the frontline defense against security gaps, data breaches, and unchecked access. 

In this episode of The Audit, we break down how Elon Musk’s unexpected access to FEMA’s sensitive data underscores the critical role of audits in organizational security. We reveal how regular audits and third-party reviews expose vulnerabilities, enforce accountability, and strengthen cyber defens...

You’re Being Hacked Right Now—And You Don’t Even Know It 

Ever wonder how cybercriminals manipulate human behavior to breach even the most secure organizations?  

In this episode of The Audit, Eric Brown and Nick Mellum sit down with renowned social engineer and penetration tester Alethe Denis to break down real-world hacking techniques, red team strategies, and the shocking ways attackers exploit trust. From winning DEF CON’s Black ...

Discover the hidden risks of browser extensions, cybersecurity incidents, and more with hosts Eric Brown and Nick Mellum. 

In this episode, we dive into the dangers of tools like Honey, the fallout from Proton’s global outage, and the ingenious tactics used by cybercriminals to target unsuspecting users. Eric and Nick also share their insights on using big data to enhance security, the role of AI in addressing threats, and practical...

Dive into the transformative power of data in cybersecurity in this must-watch episode with Wade Baker, where cutting-edge insights meet real-world applications.  

Hear from The Audit Team as we discover how massive data sets are reshaping risk management, AI’s evolving role in combating cyber threats, and the surprising insights data can unveil about security incidents. We also dive into ransomware trends, phishing techniques, the ...

Join us for an eye-opening discussion on cybersecurity in travel with ethical hacker Matthew Wold from Ramsey County. Matthew shares how his passion for cybersecurity took root at Ramsey County, leading to collaborations with co-hosts Eric Brown and Nick Mellem. We kick things off with a lighthearted chat about survival items on a deserted island, setting the stage for a lively and insightful conversation.

From RFID shields to OMG c...

From Gmail 2FA bypass warnings to SEO poisoning campaigns, we’re diving into the latest cybersecurity headlines reshaping the industry.  

We explore how attackers are using hyper-specific search terms—like the legality of Bengal cats—to deliver malware and manipulate search results. Plus, we discuss advancements in AI-powered behavioral analytics, from cutting down false alerts to streamlining incident response. With real-world insi...

In this episode of The Audit, we dive into key takeaways from a top cybersecurity event. From IoT hacking and RFID bypasses to AI governance and vishing bots, we explore the tools and strategies shaping security. Plus, real-world lessons, social engineering insights, and a few unexpected laughs—because security isn’t always all business. 
 

In This Episode We’ll Cover: 

• RFID hacking and social engineering insights from WWHF. 
• ...

In this episode, we dive into emerging tech with Marsha Maxwell, co-founder of If These Lands Could Talk and Head of Innovation at Atlanta International School. Marsha shares insights on empowering indigenous and underserved communities through AI and VR, the ethical challenges of integrating AI, and the importance of digital inclusion. We discuss the impact of AI on knowledge, culture, and education and examine how to responsibly ...