What if GitHub sucks for security detectionsâand AI is finally good enough to replace it? Join Josh Mason and Wade Wells as they sit down with Aaron Mog, the outspoken founder of Detections.ai, to unpack why detection engineering is brokenâand how his new platform signed up 4,000+ users in just two weeks. Aaron doesnât hold back. From ranting about GitHubâs failures to sharing how AI is now actually useful for real-world detections, this episode goes deep into: Why most teams still build detecti...
Aug 04, 2025â˘34 min
How does a Navy fire control tech who once wrangled a six-barrel death robot become the head of security operations at Jack in the Box? In this episode of Simply Defensive , we sit down with Chris Julio â SOC Manager, veteran, and self-proclaimed lover of both metrics and munchie meals. Chris shares his journey from Windows NT and dot-matrix printers to modern InfoSec leadership, explains what he actually looks for when hiring blue teamers (hint: it's not your certs), and drops tactical insights...
Jul 28, 2025â˘30 min
SOC analysts, detection engineers, and pentestersâyouâre not imagining it: software supply chain security is a dumpster fire đĽ. In this episode of Simply Defensive, we sit down with Kyle Kelly, engineering manager at GitHub and author of Crime Hacks, to unpack the chaos. We cover: - Why malicious packages are sneaking past defenders - The truth about SBOMs (and what most orgs are doing wrong) - How to spot typo-squatting and backdoored build scripts - What defenders can doâeven if you're not bu...
Jul 21, 2025â˘29 min
In the final episode of Season 3 on Simply Defensive, hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells welcome John Liliston, the Product Director at ThreatLocker. John shares his journey into cybersecurity, his role at ThreatLocker, and his thoughts on the evolution of security solutions. He discusses ThreatLocker's approach to zero trust, the impact of AI on cybersecurity, and the unique integration of application control and threat detection in their offerings. The episode also covers John's experiences and i...
Jun 02, 2025â˘27 min
Join hosts Josh and Wade as they sit down with Charles (Chuck) Sapp, a seasoned cybersecurity expert and security awareness specialist. In this episode, Chuck shares his unique journey from serving in the Marine Corps to becoming an influencer in the cybersecurity community. Gain insights into his military background, his passion for educating others about cybersecurity, and engaging stories from his experiences. Chuck also previews his upcoming talk for BSides Tampa 2025, offering valuable advi...
May 19, 2025â˘38 min
Welcome to another episode of Simply Defensive! In this installment, hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells are joined by cybersecurity expert James Bierly. James shares his unique journey from a submarine sonar technician in the Navy to founding his own security firm, Secure Point Solutions, which specializes in helping small businesses tackle cybersecurity threats. They discuss the vital steps and strategies for implementing robust security measures in small companies, the importance of patch managem...
May 12, 2025â˘45 min
Join hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells as they sit down with David French for an insightful episode of Simply Defensive. Discover David's journey from coding CCTV systems to becoming a staff security engineer at Google Cloud. Explore their discussion on detection as code, automation, detection testing, and relevant tools like Dorothy and Atomic Red Team. Learn why coding skills are crucial for modern cybersecurity professionals, and get tips on leveraging AI in the field. Whether you're a beginner...
May 05, 2025â˘49 min
Josh Mason and Wade Wells bring us an exciting episode of Simply Defensive, featuring special guest Eddie Miro. Eddie shares his journey in cybersecurity, offering insights into his experiences at DEFCON, the creation of Octopus Game, and his mission to make cybersecurity more inclusive. Join us as we delve into the benefits of Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions and how they can help new entrants feel comfortable and connected in the cybersecurity community. Learn about the importance of divers...
Apr 28, 2025â˘37 min
In this episode of Simply Defensive, hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells welcome Mitch Cohen, privacy and OPSEC expert from flare.io. Mitch shares his journey to becoming a 'digital ghost' and offers valuable insights into operational security (OPSEC) and privacy practices. He discusses the importance of securing personal information, the risks associated with poor OPSEC, and provides actionable steps for improving digital privacy. Josh, Wade, and Mitch explore real-world examples, the ethical impli...
Apr 21, 2025â˘43 min
Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape with Edna Johnson: From Developer to Threat Hunter Join hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells as they welcome Edna Johnson, a vibrant and passionate cybersecurity engineer, to Simply Defensive. Edna shares her journey from initially wanting to be a developer to diving deep into the world of cybersecurity, attending and volunteering at major conferences such as Defcon and BSides. She discusses her role in various cybersecurity groups, her imposter syndrome battles...
Apr 14, 2025â˘32 min
In this episode of Simply Defensive, hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells are joined by special guest Fletus Poston III, a seasoned cyber defense expert with nearly 18 years of experience. Learn about the complexities of cyber defense in various industries, discussing the pros and cons of regulatory red tape, the impact of audits on cybersecurity, and the dynamics between internal and external red teams. Fletus shares valuable insights on mentorship, career advice for aspiring SOC analysts, and the i...
Apr 07, 2025â˘36 min
In this episode of Simply Defensive, hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells are joined by Reanna Schultz, a renowned cyber influencer and SOC manager. Reanna shares her journey from aspiring state highway patrolwoman to cybersecurity expert, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and continuous learning. Join us as we cover the challenges and rewards of working in a SOC, the nuances of public speaking, and offers valuable advice for newcomers to the field. This episode is a treasure trove o...
Mar 03, 2025â˘42 min
Understanding Mac Security: Challenges and Insights with Slava Konstantinov In this episode of Simply Defensive, hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells are joined by Slava Konstantinov, the Head of Mac Development at ThreatLocker. Slava dives deep into the world of Mac security, explaining the challenges and intricacies of developing security agents for macOS. Learn about the differences discussed between Mac, Windows, and Linux security, the hurdles in defending Macs due to Apple's privacy measures, a...
Feb 24, 2025â˘36 min
In this episode of Simply Defensive, hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells welcome the highly esteemed Leslie Carhart from Dragos. We step into the world of industrial cybersecurity, discussing the critical nature of securing vital infrastructure like power plants, water treatment facilities, and manufacturing setups. Leslie shares insights on the unique challenges faced in this sector, including handling old systems, different procedural mindsets, and low-level industrial devices. The episode also co...
Feb 17, 2025â˘37 min
From Navy Red Team to Blue Team: David Perez's Cybersecurity Journey In this episode of Simply Defensive, hosts Josh Mason and Wade Whatâs Up interview David Perez, a Navy veteran who transitioned from red teaming to blue teaming in cybersecurity. David shares insights into his career path, his experience with the Navyâs Skillbridge program, and the challenges he faced moving from a structured military environment to the more fluid civilian sector. David also discusses the importance of thinking...
Feb 10, 2025â˘36 min
In this episode of Simply Defensive, hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells are joined by Hayden Covington from Black Hills Information Security. Hayden shares insights into his role at a Security Operations Center (SOC), discussing key metrics, challenges in SOC work, and the importance of communication with MSP customers. The conversation also delves into Hayden's new course on SOC foundations using Elastic and Jira, his experiences with public speaking, and the importance of personal documentation f...
Feb 03, 2025â˘36 min
In this episode of Simply Defensive, hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells talk with Simeon, an Intel Analyst at Microsoft. Listen as they explore his journey from aspiring doctor to cybersecurity expert, discussing his innovative contributions like the creation of KC7 Cyber, a tool that democratizes access to cybersecurity training. Learn about Simeon's early influences, challenges, and the importance of critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and communication in cybersecurity. He also shares his p...
Jan 27, 2025â˘40 min
In this episode of Simply Defensive, hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells are joined by SOC analyst Jessica Bishop. Jessica shares her unconventional journey into cybersecurity, transitioning from military police to a corporate role and eventually into a SOC analyst position at an MSSP. She discusses her job's dynamic and engaging aspects, the importance of teamwork and communication within cybersecurity, and her intriguing hobby of paranormal investigation. Tune in to hear about effective cybersecur...
Jan 20, 2025â˘35 min
Join hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells in this episode of Simply Defensive as they welcome cybersecurity meme-maker and SOC analyst, Dan Reardon, also known as The HaircutFish. Discover Dan's unconventional journey into cybersecurity, from creating influential memes about prominent figures like Jon Hammond and John Strand to writing insightful blogs on Medium. Dan shares his experiences at Wild West Hacking Fest, overcoming personal challenges, and the importance of networking within the cybersecu...
Jan 13, 2025â˘37 min
In this episode of Simply Defensive, hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells sit down with Melanie Thomas, Vice President of Cyber Security at BridgePoint Technologies. Melanie shares insights from her role, her experience in cybersecurity, and her path from tech support to VP. She discusses her adjunct professorship at the University of San Diego, her community service, and the importance of networking. The conversation covers the significance of education in cybersecurity, Melanie's approach to balanc...
Nov 18, 2024â˘32 min
In this episode of Simply Defensive, hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells welcome Ken, also known as MonkeyDragon, a member of Defcon 858 in San Diego and co-founder of Hard Hat Brigade. Ken introduces himself and discusses his role in cybersecurity, focusing primarily on incident response, threat detection, and threat hunting. The conversation transitions to the topic of 'war driving,' a practice of searching for wireless networks, which Ken is passionate about. He shares insights into the tools use...
Nov 11, 2024â˘38 min
Welcome to Simply Defensive! Josh Mason and co-host Wade Wells sit down with special guest Ashley Knowles from Black Hills InfoSec. Dive into the world of pen testing, SOC management, and the complex relationships between blue and red teams. Ashley shares her experiences working as a penetration tester for over a decade, her role with Black Hills InfoSec, and insights on improving SOC operations. Discover the challenges of balancing SOC metrics, handling new threats, and fostering transparency b...
Nov 04, 2024â˘42 min
Blake Reagan on Incident Response, Career Evolution, and the Importance of Soft Skills In this week's episode of Simply Defensive, host Josh Mason and co-host Wade Wells welcome incident response expert Blake Reagan. The discussion delves into Blake's journey from the building trades to cybersecurity, a field he entered after the 2008 economic downturn. Blake shares his experiences in digital forensics, emphasizing the importance of soft skills like public speaking and effective communication in...
Oct 28, 2024â˘39 min
In this episode of Simply Defensive, hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells are joined by @TheFedXChannel, a seasoned security analyst from Central Florida. The conversation starts with FedEx discussing his local internet setup and transitioning into his extensive career journey from construction to IT and cybersecurity. They explore the importance of real-world experience, the challenges of getting started in the cybersecurity industry, and the value of networking, both online and locally. FedEx also ...
Oct 21, 2024â˘38 min
In this episode of Simply Defensive, hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells interview their first guest of the season, Jibby. Jibby shares his incredible journey from a decade-long career in watch and jewelry repair to a thriving role in cybersecurity. By leveraging community support, hands-on learning platforms like KC7 Cyber and TryHackMe, and staying committed despite multiple setbacks, Jibby has secured a prestigious role at Microsoft as a Security Researcher. He highlights the importance of networ...
Oct 14, 2024â˘44 min
In this episode of Simply Defensive, host Josh Mason talks with co-host Wade Wells about the concept of 'detection as code,' a methodology in cybersecurity focusing on automating and enhancing detection logic using software development principles. Wade shares his experiences and upcoming engagements, including his talk at Blue Team Con in Chicago. The duo delves into the intricacies of detection engineering, highlighting the similarities with DevOps practices and the importance of proper tuning ...
Oct 07, 2024â˘1 hr 23 min
Simply Defensive: Episode 1 - Meet Your Hosts, Josh and Wade Welcome to the inaugural episode of Simply Defensive! Join hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells as they introduce the podcast and share their professional backgrounds in cybersecurity. Discover the story behind the podcast's creation, their unique approach compared to vendor-driven content, and the importance of community in cybersecurity. Josh dives into his journey from being a pilot in the Air Force to becoming a director of cyber traini...
Oct 01, 2024â˘34 min
