The Hacker's Cache

Whether you're trying to break into cybersecurity or level up your career, knowing which skills actually matter can save you years of wasted time. In this episode of The Hacker's Cache, I rank the top 10 cybersecurity skills for 2026, explain why each one is important, and share the best ways to learn them through certifications, TryHackMe, Hack The Box, books, hands on practice, and real world experience. We cover networking funda...

If I had to start my cybersecurity career over in 2026, there are a few things I would do differently. In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I break down my full cybersecurity journey from joining the Air Force, earning Security+, Linux+, CCNA, CISSP, OSCP, and other certifications, becoming a penetration tester, building a YouTube channel, dealing with burnout, and pivoting into AI security. I share my biggest cybersecurity...

In this Q&A episode of the Hackers Cache Podcast, I answer one of the biggest questions in cybersecurity today: Is cybersecurity still worth getting into? I share my honest thoughts after a month of job hunting, interview rejections, burnout, and watching the industry change because of AI. We also take a behind-the-scenes look at what a real penetration testing engagement looks like from kickoff call to final report, including ...

Is cybersecurity really for everyone? In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache Podcast, Kyser Clark shares his personal experience with cybersecurity burnout, the realities of breaking into the industry, and why many aspiring professionals never make it. We discuss cybersecurity careers, penetration testing, ethical hacking, certifications like the OSCP, CISSP, and Security+, work-life balance, job market challenges, AI’s ...

In this deeply personal solo episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark opens up about severe cybersecurity burnout, getting let go from his pentesting job, and why he disappeared from content creation for over six months. Kyser shares the reality of working 80 to 90-hour workweeks in offensive security, balancing penetration testing, certifications, content creation, AI studies, and an MBA, while completely neglecting his pe...

 In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I sit down with Marco Figueroa, security researcher, former Intel threat hunter, and current Mozilla AI bug bounty leader, to discuss how artificial intelligence is already reshaping cybersecurity. We dive into AI powered vulnerability discovery, malware development, nation state threats, automation, burnout in security roles, and why average cybersecurity professionals risk being ...

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache Podcast, I sit down with Tyler Ramsbey to discuss why he quit his cybersecurity job to build his own penetration testing company, Kairos Sec, and hacking education platform, HackSmarter. We dive into the reality of cybersecurity entrepreneurship, burnout, work-life balance, OSCP and PNPT certifications, AI in penetration testing, red teaming, OffSec’s “Try Harder” cultur...

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark sits down with HD Moore, the legendary creator of Metasploit and CEO of RunZero, to discuss why relying on CVEs is putting organizations at risk in 2025. They unpack the truth about vulnerabilities that never get CVEs, the hidden dangers of SSH exposures, and why attackers are outpacing defenders through innovation. HD also shares bold takes on AI’s role in cybersecurit...

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark sits down with seasoned penetration tester Kyle Hoehn to unpack the journey from a curious teen experimenting online to a full time professional in offensive security. Kyle shares how early exposure to computer tinkering and real world troubleshooting shaped his path, why foundational IT knowledge still separates strong hackers from the rest, and what certifications actually ...

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark sits down with Jim Schultz, an OSCP-certified penetration tester, cybersecurity instructor, and consultant with over 15 years of experience. Jim shares his journey from taking apart his first family computer in the 90s to teaching hundreds of students and returning full-time to the world of ethical hacking and security consulting. They discuss how writing skills can make or b...

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache Podcast, Kyser Clark answers real cybersecurity career questions from whether the OSCP or Hack The Box CPTS is better for breaking into pentesting, to how to renew your Security+ the smart way, and why cybersecurity isn’t for those who hate learning. He also exposes the truth behind bootcamps, entry-level job myths, and AI’s impact on the job market. If you’re trying to ...

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark sits down with cybersecurity professional and entrepreneur Bhanu Reddy to talk about how to start a cybersecurity career from anywhere in the world, even if you live outside the U.S. or in a developing country. Bhanu shares his real journey from India to the United States, including how he passed the OSCP certification, landed cybersecurity jobs, and launched an AI startup. T...

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I sit down with penetration tester and security researcher Trent Miller (AzureAD) to talk about the one thing that makes pentesting fun instead of stressful: genuine friendships and community. We discuss how learning from other hackers, sharing experiences, and joining groups like DEF CON DC608 can accelerate your growth far beyond certifications or labs. Trent opens up about work-life b...

Struggling to land a cybersecurity job after passing the OSCP? In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I break down why the OSCP certification alone isn’t enough to secure a penetration testing role. From the importance of starting in entry-level IT positions and gaining real-world technical experience, to building soft skills, showcasing work ethic, and differentiating yourself in an oversaturated market, I share hard t...

Senior penetration tester Vladimir Ichkov shares what really matters in cybersecurity job interviews from the perspective of both a candidate and an interviewer. We discuss the role of soft skills, confidence, and humor in landing a pentesting job, common red flags that turn interviewers away, and how technical experience as a system administrator can give you an edge. If you’re preparing for a cybersecurity interview or want...

Breaking into cybersecurity isn’t about being “good enough.” It’s about outworking the 1,000 other applicants fighting for the same job. In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache podcast, I share the raw truth about competing in today’s cybersecurity job market, why certifications and hands-on projects matter more than ever, and how to stand out when everyone claims to have the same skills. Whether y...

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark sits down with Carl Vincent, better known as Vyrus, to unpack the shifting realities of cybersecurity. Carl shares straight talk on the Silver Bullet ecosystem that fraud actors rely on, why today’s cybercrime is more about account access than shell popping, and how blue teams can actually turn criminal tradecraft into an intelligence advantage. The conversation spans e...

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, returning guest Ryan Daub shares his journey from IT support to offensive security and reveals practical advice on how to level up fast in your first cybersecurity role. We cover the importance of mastering fundamentals, documenting your work, learning from failures, and asking questions without fear. Ryan also opens up about leading internal pentests, preparing for the OSCP, transitioni...

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark sits down with Red Team Consultant Robert O’Connor to unpack the realities of shellcode evasion in 2025. They dive into how antivirus and EDR solutions actually detect malicious payloads, the rise of fileless malware, and why network-level detection is still overlooked. Robert shares his hands-on experience building custom evasion techniques, his transition from pentest...