Mainframe pentester Michelle Eggers joins us to share her incredible journey into cybersecurity, and specifically her niche in mainframe security. George K and George A talk to Michelle about: πͺ Her hustle and flow switching careers into pentesting, including 40+ interviews and an intense training cohort π How she carved out a rare specialty in mainframe security through networking and seizing opportunities π±"Do it scared" - her advice for speaking at conferences and pushing through imposter ...
Dec 02, 2024β’38 minβ’Season 3Ep. 17
JR Cunningham, CISO at Nuspire, joins the show to talk about why cybersecurity isn't just another IT job - mentally, it's more like being a first responder. George K and George A talk to JR about: π€ Why we should consider cyber teams like first responders (not just IT staff) π΅βπ« The unique mental health challenges of incident response πͺ Building cultures where defenders can actually take care of themselves π§ Why your IR plan needs to consider the human element π¬ "The higher up you go in se...
Nov 25, 2024β’40 minβ’Season 3Ep. 16
Andrew Owlett joins the show to talk about what actually matters in cybersecurity career development (hint: it's not your GPA)! George K and George A talk to Andrew about: Why "failing" early in his career shaped his approach to leadership The problem with cyber's culture of shame and how to build confidence What cross-functional skills ACTUALLY look like (and how you probably already have them) Truth about work-life balance and corporate "family" Plus we dive into real advice for career transit...
Nov 18, 2024β’40 minβ’Season 3Ep. 15
ποΈ Veterans Day Podcast Panel! We brought together an incredible panel of veterans who made the leap into cybersecurity: George K and George A get into a raw and honest conversation about: π The realities of transitioning out to civilian life π³ The culture shock of moving from military to corporate life π Why military experience IS relevant experience (even if you think it isn't) π€ The power of networking and how to do it well Many thanks to our panelists! Rick McElroy (USMC) Tom Marsland (...
Nov 11, 2024β’1 hr 1 minβ’Season 3Ep. 13
BONUS! In the last of our interviews recorded live at GoSec 2024 in Montreal, we talk to AndrΓ©anne Bergeron, PhD, Director of Research at GoSecure. George K and George A talk to AndrΓ©anne about her unconventional foray into cybersecurity and the lessons learned, as an academic, for workforce development and educating the next generation of defenders. She discusses her studies of cybercriminal psychology as a social scientist, and what the implication might be for defense strategies. This episode...
Nov 07, 2024β’23 minβ’Season 3Ep. 13
Ofer Klein CEO & Co-founder of Reco AI jumps into the ring to talk about making the leap from e-commerce to cybersecurity, and why having "outsider" experience can be a superpower. George K and George A talk to Ofer about: π§ The psychology behind selling to enterprises and why it transcends industry verticals π Making the tough calls during rapid growth and learning to "get invited to the party" π― Why admitting mistakes and building trust matters more than technical prowess π± Building a ...
Nov 04, 2024β’33 minβ’Season 3Ep. 12
Episode 100! And this time, George K and George A are the ones in the hot seat! Guest host, and friend of the pod, Amber DeVilbiss takes the mic to put the Georges on the spot. They take on listener questions about: Tech and industry trends, AI, new risks The deep, dark, and personal Selling and marketing tactics And MORE! Thank you to all the listeners who submitted questions!
Oct 28, 2024β’1 hr 3 minβ’Season 3Ep. 11
This week we step outside cyber to learn how to make sales a profession that sellers can be proud of. Lauren Palmer, VP of North America at Interlink, joins the show! George K and George A talk to Lauren about: Why she believes sales is a "giving profession" What sales leaders can do to equip their teams for success without relying on high pressure tactics What objectives really matter when measuring sales success Her mission to transform the operation and perception of sales...
Oct 21, 2024β’41 minβ’Season 3Ep. 10
Recorded LIVE: The Bare Knuckles and Brass Tacks closing keynote at SecureWorld Denver! Titled, "Radical Transparency," George K and George A took on the holy trinity in cyber: people, process, and technology. For each part they break down where we need radical transparency to build trust, on both the buying and selling sides of the industry. They also ask something new of the audience...
Oct 14, 2024β’47 minβ’Season 3Ep. 9
All year we've been trying to rebrand "soft skills" as essential business skills for any cybersecurity professional. Evgeniy Kharam has literally written the book on it. He sat down with us live at GoSec 2024 to talk about his new book, "Architecting Success: The Art of Soft Skills in Technical Sales." This is a great breakdown of what kinds of communication skills are needed for both buyers and sellers trying to solve security problems. Don't miss it! This episode was produced with the support ...
Oct 10, 2024β’30 min
Aaron Pritz of Reveal Risk joins us this week to deepfake George K in real-time video! Also, how to engage the workforce on new and emerging risks π To see the video deepfake, check out our LinkedIn Page ! George K and George A talk to Aaron about: π€ Using deepfake tech for good - security awareness training that will blow your mind ποΈ Why limiting security awareness to October is a mistake π§ Un-commoditizing training and making it relevant year-round π± Real-world advice on preventing deepf...
Oct 07, 2024β’37 minβ’Season 3Ep. 7
How do you build multiple successful companies? The dynamic duo behind Knight Group, Alissa and Mel Knight, join the show to talk about their relentless entrepreneurial journey. In this episode: π‘ How to balance multiple passion projects and determine which ideas to pursue π€ The challenges and rewards of working with your spouse (spoiler: therapy helps!) π§ How their technical cyber backgrounds inform their creative endeavors π₯ Alissaβs recent health scare and the wake-up call that changed th...
Sep 30, 2024β’41 minβ’Season 3Ep. 6
How do you know whatβs a winning idea? Serial cyber entrepreneur Stuart McClure sat down with us live at GoSec 2024 to record his thoughts on go-to-market strategies. Stuart was the founder of Cylance, the fastest company to record $100M in ARR, and heβs the lead author on a book about hacking techniques. In short, he talks the talk and walks the walk. In this episode: π‘How to tell a genius idea from just a neat feature π€How to build and scale without repeating the same tired playbook π§ How a...
Sep 23, 2024β’33 minβ’Season 3Ep. 4
Don Jeter, CMO of Torq joins the show this week to talk about his crusade against boring cyber marketing, and why that means his title is really Chief Menace Officer. In this episode: π‘Brand leads to demand. Focus on narrative and differentiation first. π₯³ Balancing fun, irreverent branding with deep technical expertise. π Looking outside cyber for inspiration - internet culture, consumer brands, and more β‘οΈSpeed and authenticity matter. Be ready to capitalize on trends. For all you marketers ...
Sep 16, 2024β’39 minβ’Season 3Ep. 4
September is Suicide Prevention Month. CISO Ben Howard joins the show to share his story for the first time. *Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and suicidal ideation.* If you are feeling suicidal, call or text 988 to get help immediately. George K and George A talk to Ben about: π The pressure CISOs face and how it impacts mental wellbeing π§ Breaking the stigma around mental health π Practical steps cybersecurity leaders can take to support their teams' mental health β Crea...
Sep 09, 2024β’43 minβ’Season 3Ep. 3
Tabletop exercises, a necessary evil or just a compliance snoozefest? This week, Kailee Miner sits down to talk about how she's revolutionizing cyber threat readiness training to make boring TTXs a thing of the past. In this episode: π₯± Why traditional tabletop exercises often fail to engage participants π How realistic simulations improve readiness vs. dry PowerPoint presentations π° Why companies should invest in communication skills for technical experts, not just certifications πͺ Building ...
Sep 02, 2024β’45 minβ’Season 3Ep. 2
Welcome to Season 3! This week weβre bringing you the live recording of our talk at SquadCon during Hack Summer Camp a few weeks back. Our talk was called, βFuture Proof Your Career with Cyber Threat Intelligence Techniques.β Many thanks again to the Black Girls Hack Foundation and the SquadCon crew for having us, and to Rebekah Skeete for the killer intro! And, weβre fast approaching episode 100 of this podcast! Weβre doing an AMA with a very special guest host. So, what do you wanna ask us? Em...
Aug 26, 2024β’33 minβ’Season 3Ep. 1
This week we're featuring a Best Of edition, packed with the gold from episodes past. We were away at Black Hat last week, and we're gearing up for the start of Season 3! This episode features: Dr. Chase Cunningham on Zero Trust Sarah Breathnach on why whitepapers need to go Chas Larios are connecting with practitioners Adrian Wood on the securing the ML development pipeline Mari Galloway on breaking into cyber Reanna Schultz on life in SOC...
Aug 12, 2024β’38 minβ’Season 2Ep. 53
Why are so many cybersecurity company founders so bad at talking about their own products?! This week we're joined by Elliot Volkman and Doug Landis to talk about how they used storytelling training to transform one companyβs message to its customers! In this episode: π€¦ββοΈ Why so many founders are terrible at talking about their own products π The power of storytelling vs. spewing facts and stats π° Why companies should invest in communication skills for operators, not just technical skills. οΏ½...
Aug 05, 2024β’59 minβ’Season 2Ep. 52
On the show this week: Reanna Schultz, SOC Team Lead and all-around badass, talks about life in the trenches of cybersecurity operations. George K and George A talk to Reanna about: π― What vendors get wrong about SOC life (hint: it's not all about alert fatigue) π The importance of integrating new tools with existing processes π€ Building authentic relationships in the cybersecurity community πͺ Developing communication skills for high-pressure situations Plus, she shares her journey of findin...
Jul 29, 2024β’48 minβ’Season 2Ep. 51
Justin Merhoff, Director of InfoSec, and Florian Beijers, a blind web developer, join the show to talk about accessibility in cybersecurity. This week the Americans with Disabilities Act turns 34! George K and George A talk to Justin and Florian about: π The current state of accessibility in cybersecurity and the challenges faced by practitioners with disabilities π§ How AI and assistive technologies may help accessibility in cybersecurity tools π οΈ Practical steps companies can take to make th...
Jul 22, 2024β’50 minβ’Season 2Ep. 50
What does it really take to break into cyber? Mari Galloway jumps into the ring and brings her 15+ years of experience to bear. George K and George A talk to Mari about: π€ The evolution of the cybersecurity industry and the challenges faced by women and minorities π The rise of influencer culture in cybersecurity and what weβre NOT telling newcomers π€ The mission and growth of the Women's Society of Cyberjutsu π― Practical advice for newcomers and career pivoters in cybersecurity Further Read...
Jul 15, 2024β’43 minβ’Season 2Ep. 49
CEO Carolina Ruiz jumps into the ring to talk about leading cyber consultancy, the value of diverse skill sets, and how she memorized ISO 27001 in a weekend! π³ George K and George A talk to Carolina about: π€ The evolving threat landscape and its impact on cybersecurity strategies π Addressing the skill shortage in cybersecurity and innovative ways to tackle it π The implications of new legislation and regulations in different markets π The growth and potential of the cybersecurity industry ...
Jul 08, 2024β’42 minβ’Season 2Ep. 48
Hacker and researcher Adrian Wood (threlfall), an expert red teamer joins the show to talk about using supply chain attack techniques to poison AI models. This is the cutting edge, and most organizations are entirely unprepared. George K and George A talk to Adrian about: π‘οΈ The practical challenges and misconceptions around AI threats βοΈ How attacking ML models is similar to supply chain attacks but in a far more complex environment 𧩠The importance of understanding your business and ML pipel...
Jul 01, 2024β’43 minβ’Season 2Ep. 47
Break through? No, PUNCH through the AI hype in cybersecurity this weekβs guest, Mani Keerthi , Field CISO. George K and George A talk to Mani about: π₯΄ Making sense of AI, GenAI, LLMs and why clarity is lacking right now π Questions security teams should ask to separate snake oil from legit use cases π€ How the AI tech stack differs from IT tech stacks and why that matters π What the trinity of opportunity, experience, and interest means for career growth This episode is full of insights for ...
Jun 24, 2024β’40 minβ’Season 2Ep. 46
Bonus! Chas Larios shares her 7 tips for cybersecurity marketers on how to earn security buyers' respect and trust. These are low-cost, high-return changes teams can make today! This month: All profits from Pride shirt sales will be donated to LGBTQ organizations Shop today: www.bkbtpodcast.shop βββββββββ Support the show! β
Subscribe and share your fave episode on LinkedIn βοΈ Leave us a rating βοΈ Make a donation or sustaining contribution: https://ko-fi.com/bareknucklesbrasstacks...
Jun 20, 2024β’6 min
This week, Chas Larios of Anvilogic joins the show to about her approach to winning practitioners' trust through respect for their time and attention. George K and George A talk to Chas about: π Building brands on principles and the importance of giving back to the cyber community π§ How her technical Infosec background informs her marketing π³ How she hires, and why resumes are the LAST thing she looks at ποΈ Changes in the market and favorite bands, as turns the table and interviews the Georg...
Jun 17, 2024β’49 minβ’Season 2Ep. 45
Longtime cybersecurity leader Peter Schawacker joins us the show to talk about radical zeal, global talent, and creating safe spaces for queer communities. George K and George A talk to Peter about: π¨βπ€ How his punk rock roots and hacker mentality inform his approach to cyber and playing to win π Cultivating and employing global talent π³οΈβπβ§οΈ Creating the Queer in Cyber community πHis new cyber tabletop research project, and how you can help. 𧨠In the Teardown: George K responds to copy/p...
Jun 10, 2024β’46 minβ’Season 2Ep. 44
Angela Brown and Amber DiPippa join the podcast to discuss their scholarship initiative supporting LGBTQ+ individuals pursuing cybersecurity. George K and George A talk to Ang and Amber about: π The scholarship's origins and its goals for supporting LGBTQ+ cybersecurity students π The realities and financial hardships unfairly leveled at queer communities π€ Practical advice for authentic allyship and community support π³οΈβππβ‘οΈPRIDE Shirts are now on sale in the BKBT Merch Store. All profits...
Jun 03, 2024β’37 minβ’Season 2Ep. 43
Dr. Chase Cunningham, aka Dr. Zero Trust, joins the show to talk Zero Trust credibility, the state of leadership in cyber, and more! George K and George A talk to Chase about: βοΈ His unlikely journey from Navy engineer to cybersecurity expert π‘οΈ The evolution and future of the zero trust model in combating modern threats π Insights from his latest book on leadership ποΈ And perhaps a new land speed record for the number of f-bombs in a BKBT episode⦠𧨠In the Teardown: George A tells you just ...
May 27, 2024β’52 minβ’Season 2Ep. 42
