The Hacker's Cache

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Matthew Younker (aka Zumi Yumi) shares the raw truth about what it really took to break into offensive security, working full time, going to college, and grinding for OSCP with almost zero rest. He opens up about the unhealthy sacrifices he made, why OSWA was harder than OSCP, and how his journey from Army hazmat to pentester shaped the way he works today. If you’ve ever wondered what the grin...

In this episode, Channa Rajaratne joins me to unpack one of the most common questions in cybersecurity: should you go after certifications, a college degree, or a bootcamp? We break down the pros and cons of each, share personal experiences, and talk about which path actually helped us get hired. Channa also shares his take on underrated skills like report writing, soft skills, and why being a well-rounded practitioner matters more...

What separates a good pentester from a great one? It’s not just about popping shells or passing certs. In this solo episode, I break down the real-world skills that actually matter. Technical, non-technical, and everything in between. I share hard lessons from the field, my thoughts on being well-rounded vs. specialized, and why communication, client trust, and soft skills are just as crucial as finding vulnerabilities. Whether you...

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark and Zach Winchester talk about breaking into cybersecurity without a college degree and why it’s not the dealbreaker people think it is. You’ll hear a real-world story of going from firewall configs to full-time pentesting with just an OSCP and hands-on experience. We also get into hardware hacking, social engineering discomfort, AI/LLM security loopholes, and why the offensive sec...

Burnout sucks, but what if it's actually a sign of growth? In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I break down why burnout isn’t always the enemy and how pushing yourself to the limit can actually make you better. Just like lifting weights to failure builds muscle, hitting burnout and recovering makes you mentally stronger. I’ll share my own experiences with burnout, why I see it as part of the process, and how to come back ev...

Getting laid off can feel like the end of the road, but what if it’s actually the beginning of something bigger? In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Justin Mahon shares his journey from military IT to offensive security, including how he bounced back after a cybersecurity layoff and landed in a better position than before. We break down the reality of tech layoffs, why they happen, and how to turn them into opportunities for car...

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I sit down with Constantinos Kaplanis, a senior penetration tester who took an unconventional path into cybersecurity. With no prior IT experience, he grinded his way into the field—applying to 500 jobs, enduring countless rejections, and proving his skills through sheer persistence. One of his biggest accomplishments? A 1,000-day hacking streak on TryHackMe, a testament to his dedication. We ...

Many aspiring penetration testers believe that earning the OSCP is the ultimate proof of their skills—but what happens when they step into a real-world engagement? In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Tyler Ramsbey joins me to break down the hard truth about OSCP, the gaps it leaves in real-world pentesting, and why experience always outweighs certifications. We discuss rookie mistakes, the reality of internal assessments, and wh...

If you want to be an expert in cybersecurity, coding isn’t optional—it’s essential. In this Q&A episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I break down why learning to code separates the entry-level professionals from the true experts and how AI is shifting the skills needed in offensive security. I also dive into the different career paths available after landing your first pentesting job—whether it’s climbing to a senior role, transition...

Kyser Clark sits down with senior penetration tester Spencer Alessi to discuss a skill that separates top-tier pentesters from the rest—client communication. While technical prowess is essential, Spencer shares how clear, proactive communication can make or break a pentest engagement, impact client trust, and even determine career growth. They also dive into the common struggle of pentesting ultra-secure environments, how to naviga...

Are cybersecurity bootcamps worth the hefty price tag, or are they just another overhyped shortcut to nowhere? In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I sit down with Keith Coleman, a seasoned cybersecurity professional with experience in pentesting, security engineering, DevSecOps, and more. We break down the true value of bootcamps, why many graduates struggle to land jobs, and what alternative paths provide a better return on inv...

Kyser Clark is joined by Paul Nieto, a seasoned penetration tester with over 22 years of experience spanning physical and cybersecurity. Paul shares his journey from physical security to offensive security, detailing how his curiosity and drive for challenges led to a successful career pivot. They discuss the importance of networking, the debate between being a generalist or specialist in cybersecurity, and why accountability and c...

Kyser Clark dives into the growing role of AI in the tech industry and its potential to replace mid-level professionals. Inspired by comments from tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg, we explore why companies are investing heavily in AI, how it could reshape the middle-class job market, and what it means for cybersecurity professionals. Kyser shares actionable advice on how to future-proof your career, leverage AI as a tool rather th...

David Taxer, a cybersecurity expert with over 12 years of experience, shares the incredible story of uncovering a $200 million fraud ring disguised under a major corporation. Learn how his unique background in SEO and intelligence helped him expose insider threats and fraudulent schemes, as well as the challenges he faced as a whistleblower. This episode dives deep into protecting yourself from identity theft, understanding corpora...

Kyser Clark interviews Patrick Gorman, also known as InfoSec Pat, a seasoned cybersecurity professional with over 23 years of experience. They discuss the importance of certifications in the cybersecurity field, the challenges of retaining knowledge, and the journey of creating educational content on YouTube. Pat shares insights on his motivations for teaching and mentoring others, as well as his thoughts on bug bounty programs and...

In this episode, Kyser Clark discusses the competitive landscape of cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of culture fit, the reality of job openings, and how to stand out in a crowded field. He highlights the necessity of hard work, continuous learning, and the value of soft skills in securing a position. Additionally, he addresses the misconceptions about the cybersecurity job market and encourages listeners to invest in thei...

In this conversation, Mike Ortiz discusses various aspects of cybersecurity, focusing on the importance of curiosity, the dynamics between red and blue teams, and the transition into red teaming. He emphasizes the need for collaboration between teams and the significance of understanding the foundational roles in cybersecurity. Mike also shares his personal journey into the field and offers valuable advice for aspiring cybersecurit...

In this Q&A episode, Kyser Clark addresses various questions related to cybersecurity certifications, focusing on the relevance of CISSP in 2025, the comparison between CPTS and OSCP, and the role of OSCP as a gatekeeper certification. He also discusses the value of TCM and INE certifications and provides insights on the time investment required for the eJPT certification. The conversation emphasizes the importance of experienc...

Kyser Clark engages with cybersecurity expert Albert Corzo, who shares his extensive experience in ethical hacking, bug bounty programs, and the importance of certifications in the field. Albert discusses his past experiences, including hacking the U.S. government, and emphasizes the need for understanding cybercrime and threat actors to better protect organizations. The conversation also covers the differences between compliance a...