Welcome to Episode 12 of the DTF Cyber Podcast! 🎙️ Join hosts Damian, Troy, and Fern as they dive into the hottest topic in cybersecurity: breaking into the industry. 🛡️

In this episode, we tackle the cybersecurity skills gap, exploring why hiring managers struggle to find talent while many with cyber degrees face challenges landing roles. From the importance of networking and building trust to overcoming imposter syndrome, we share practical advice for job seekers and hiring managers alike. 🌐

Key topics include:

➡ Navigating the skills gap and unrealistic job requirements (3-5 years for "entry-level"? 🤔)

➡ The power of internships, referrals, and soft skills in landing your dream cyber job

➡ Addressing diversity in cybersecurity, including challenges faced by women and underrepresented groups

➡ Personal stories and actionable tips for building a career in this dynamic field

Whether you're a recent grad, a career switcher, or a hiring manager looking to build a strong team, this episode is packed with insights to help you succeed. Don’t miss out—subscribe now and join us every Monday for more cybersecurity discussions! 🚀

#Cybersecurity #CareerAdvice #SkillsGap #Networking #DiversityInTech #DTFCyberPodcast

📌 Hit that subscribe button to help us reach 500 subscribers and stay tuned for Episode 13!

00:00:00 — Cyber Degrees, No Jobs — What’s the Problem?

00:02:21 — Skills Gap? Or Networking Gap?

00:08:28 — Trust, Hiring, and the Risk of New Talent

00:14:07 — The Broken Job Description Problem

00:18:46 — Internships, Career Shifting & Building Loyalty

00:22:20 — Soft Skills: Showing Up, Speaking Up & Self-Improvement

00:31:07 — The Soft Skill Nobody Teaches: Clarity in Communication

00:38:20 — Diversity, Imposter Syndrome & The Confidence Gap

00:47:02 — Networking: The Real Career Cheat Code

00:55:06 — Leadership’s Role in the Hiring Problem

Associated Article

https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/tip/Cybersecurity-skills-gap-Why-it-exists-and-how-to-address-it

Linkedin:

Damian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianchung/

Troy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kosovotroy/

Fern: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernrojasaz/

Business Inquiries: dtf at cyberpodcast dot net

#Cybersecurity #GoogleFine #Ransomware #EthicsInTech #Overemployment #RemoteWork #DTFCyberPodcast #Defcon2025

🎙️ DTF Cyber Podcast – Episode 011

Check out this week's episode of the DTF Cyber Podcast! On Monday, July 14th, hosts Damian, Troy, and Fern are joined by their very first special guest, Mike Manrod (CISO at Grand Canyon Education), also known as "DoubleM."

The team dives into the complex world of tech ethics with three major stories:

First, they tackle the news that Google has been ordered to pay $314 million for misusing Android users' cellular data. Is this a major privacy violation, or a low-priority risk for corporations focused on bigger threats? The hosts debate the real-world impact versus getting distracted by "shiny objects."

Next, the conversation turns to a developing story where a former ransomware negotiator is being investigated by the Department of Justice for allegedly taking kickbacks from cybercriminals. This sparks a broader discussion on business ethics, from accepting vendor gifts to the pressures facing tech leaders.

Finally, they explore the controversial topic of "overemployment". Is it unethical to work multiple remote jobs at once? The group discusses the difference between disclosed, ethical side-hustles and deceiving employers with mouse jigglers and C-minus work. This leads to a candid look at the "return to office" debate and what the future of work looks like in a post-COVID world.

Tune in for expert insights, hot takes, and a look at the ethical gray areas of cybersecurity.

Find our guest, Mike Manrod, presenting at Defcon Demo Labs!

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 - Intro & Topics

00:01:02 - Welcoming Our First Special Guest: Mike Manrod

00:05:04 - Google Ordered to Pay $314M for Cellular Data Use

00:24:22 - DOJ Investigates Ransomware Negotiator for Kickbacks

00:29:43 - Discussion: The Ethics of Vendor Gifts

00:45:30 - The Ethics of Being "Overemployed"

00:54:12 - The Great "Return to Office" Debate

01:04:05 - The Myth of Being a CISO

01:06:58 - Final Thoughts & Outro

Articles in this Episode:

https://thehackernews.com/2025/07/google-ordered-to-pay-314m-for-misusing.html

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/doj-investigates-ex-ransomware-negotiator-over-extortion-kickbacks/

https://therecord.media/russian-basketball-player-arrested-in-france-ransomware

https://www.businessinsider.com/overemployed-lessons-pros-cons-secretly-working-multiple-remote-jobs-2025-6

Linkedin:

Damian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianchung/

Troy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kosovotroy/

Fern: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernrojasaz/

Business Inquiries: dtf at cyberpodcast dot net

What are some of the cyber risks to small mid-sized businesses? The latest report is out! There was also someone hacking into these small companies then trying to sell them cyber services. Is that ethical? We also cover the IntelBroker getting caught even though he was using Monero privacy coins. And finally we touch on Whatsapp being banned. What about other unauthorized encrypted communications apps? Checkout #DTF010

00:00 - Intro

01:22 - SMB Threat Report

20:43 - Unethical Hacking

39:30 - IntelBroker caught?

56:43 - WhatsApp banned on US GOV devices

Articles this episode:

https://securelist.com/smb-threat-report-2025/116830/

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/man-pleads-guilty-to-hacking-networks-to-pitch-security-services/

https://www.darkreading.com/cyberattacks-data-breaches/intebroker-suspect-arrested-charged-breaches

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/whatsapp-banned-us-house-representatives-devices-memo-2025-06-23/

Linkedin:

Damian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianchung/

Troy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kosovotroy/

Fern: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernrojasaz/

Business Inquiries: dtf at cyberpodcast dot net

Google Outage, Quantum Computing vs Crypto, North Korean Fake IT Workers, How to get a Cyber Job! DTF Cyber Podcast EP009

What can we learn from the massive Google outage? Some really good discussion on trying to prepare for feature changes and potential issues. Change control? A big topic lately is Quantum Computing vs Bitcoin. Does this spell out the end of cryptocurrencies as we know it? Should you still invest in crypto? And finally for everyone looking for a new cyber job, how did Troy land his new role? What are some of his tips to get that job?

Buy Shannon Wilkinson's lates book here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FF4D663H

00:00 - Intro

01:21 - Google Outage Lessons

21:04 - US Seizes 7.74M Crypto

35:58 - Quantum Computing breaking Bitcoin

50:35 - Troy's big announcement

51:31 - Tips to get a Cyber Job

Articles in this Episode:

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/16/google-cloud-outage-apology.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2025/06/12/will-quantum-computing-kill-bitcoin/

https://thehackernews.com/2025/06/us-seizes-774m-in-crypto-tied-to-north.html

Linkedin:

Damian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianchung/

Troy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kosovotroy/

Fern: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernrojasaz/

Business Inquiries: dtf at cyberpodcast dot net

DTF Cyber Podcast EP008

Airlines selling your travel data to the government. Is this a privacy concern? Should they be allowed to sell your information? The government already has the travel data for no-fly lists, but should they even need to "buy" this info? What about the news article on smartwatches breaching air gapped systems? Are devices spying on you? And for the Security Leaders and CISOs.... Are you burning out earlier than normal? This latest article says most CISOs are looking to leave their jobs. Check out this week's cyber news commentary!

0:00 - Intro

02:39 - ARC selling your information

26:51 - SmartAttack via watches

40:35- CISO burnout

Articles in this Episode:

https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2025/06/us-airline-industry-quietly-selling-flight-data-to-dhs

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/smartattack-uses-smartwatches-to-steal-data-from-air-gapped-systems/

https://www.csoonline.com/article/3998246/53-of-cyber-department-leaders-eyeing-the-exit.html

Linkedin:

Damian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianchung/

Troy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kosovotroy/

Fern: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernrojasaz/

Business Inquiries: dtf at cyberpodcast dot net

DTF Cyber Podcast EP007

Recent news highlights how OpenAI must retain ChatGPT logs, raising concerns about user privacy. Additionally, the AT&T hack from 2021 has resurfaced, potentially exposing sensitive information again. These events underscore the importance of data privacy and cybersecurity in the digital age. #OpenAI #ChatGPT #DataPrivacy #ATTHack #sensitiveinformation

Use code: cyberpodcast10

Get 10% off the registration for CruiseCon West, the Flagship of Cybersecurity

https://cruisecon.com/

2:00- Open AI Court Order

26:00 - AT&T Breach Data Released

40:30 - CruiseCon West 2025

45:55 - Cyber Resilience

Articles:

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/06/openai-says-court-forcing-it-to-save-all-chatgpt-logs-is-a-privacy-nightmare/

https://www.theverge.com/news/681280/openai-storing-deleted-chats-nyt-lawsuit

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/old-atandt-data-leak-repackaged-to-link-ssns-dobs-to-49m-phone-numbers/

Linkedin:

Damian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianchung/

Troy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kosovotroy/

Fern: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernrojasaz/

Business Inquiries: dtf at cyberpodcast dot net

cyberpodcast.net

DTF Cyber Podcast EP006

Was it ethical for researchers to us AI on reddit in conversations without letting users know? This AI successfully persuaded users. Should we be worried in the the information wars with AI bots? We also discuss the Getty lawsuit against an AI platform for using their images to train their LLM. What about an AI company that used real developers vs the AI they said they were using? Check out this episode of the DTF Cyber Podcast!

00:00 - Intro

01:00 - Reddit AI Experiment

14:00 - Getty Lawsuit

31:30 - Builder AI - Fake AI

49:20 - Crypto Kidnapping

Articles in this Episode:

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2478336-reddit-users-were-subjected-to-ai-powered-experiment-without-consent/

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/28/getty-ceo-stability-ai-lawsuit-doesnt-cover-industry-mass-theft.html

https://www.binance.com/en/square/post/24723372076545

https://abcnews.go.com/US/nypd-detectives-crypto-torture-kidnapping-case/story?id=122325180

Linkedin:

Damian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianchung/

Troy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kosovotroy/

Fern: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernrojasaz/

Business Inquiries: dtf at cyberpodcast dot net

DTF Cyber Podcast EP005

What's up with these chrome extensions? 100s of malicious ones removed by Google. What are the threats and how should you protect your organization? Marks and Spencer in the UK also reported losses of $400M due to a cyber incident. How much should a cyber program spend to protect against this type of risk? Check out the full episode!

00:00:00 - Topics Intro

00:01:21 - Google Chrome Extensions Hijacking your information

00:17:30 - Marks and Spencer $400M Incident

00:37:40 - Text Scams around Toll Road Fees

00:48:59 - Krebs On Security DDOS Attack

Joe Sullivan Charity

https://www.joesullivansecurity.com/ukraine-friends/

Articles:

https://thehackernews.com/2025/05/100-fake-chrome-extensions-found.html

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/marks-and-spencer-faces-402-million-profit-hit-after-cyberattack/

https://www.bankinfosecurity.com/change-healthcare-attack-cost-estimate-reaches-nearly-29b-a-26541

https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/05/06/googles-default-search-payments-to-apple-at-risk-in-antitrust-lawsuit

https://krebsonsecurity.com/2025/05/krebsonsecurity-hit-with-near-record-6-3-tbps-ddos/

Linkedin:

Damian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianchung/

Troy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kosovotroy/

Fern: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernrojasaz/

Business Inquiries: dtf at cyberpodcast dot net

DTF Cyber Podcast EP004

Coinbase has insiders exfiltrate data and someone tries to make $20M off the data via extortion/ransom. Coinbase turns the tables and offers $20M for a bounty on the hackers! There is a discussion on what happened to cause the data loss in the first place and how we rate the Coinbase response.

There is a study suggesting that AI will change jobs. How does AI impact cyber jobs for anyone in growing their career, or looking to graduate soon?

The FBI issues a deepfake voice and video message warning. Check out this week's cyber discussions with Damian, Troy, and Fern.

00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:53 - Coinbase: Was it ransomware or extortion?

00:30:01 - Offshore labor, low-cost risk, and insider threats

00:45:01 - AI is coming for your job — or is it?

01:02:21 - FBI warns AI is impersonating officials

Articles:

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/15/coinbase-says-hackers-bribed-staff-to-steal-customer-data-and-are-demanding-20-million-ransom.html

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-driven-agentification-work-impact-jobs-20242030-poweredbywiti-zbyfc/

https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/15/politics/fbi-warning-hackers-ai-voice-messages

Linkedin:

Damian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianchung/

Troy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kosovotroy/

Fern: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernrojasaz/

Business Inquiries: dtf at cyberpodcast dot net

0:00 - Episode Topic Review

04:35:00 - Crypto Concerns around Social Engineering Scams and Robberies

18:50:00 - Browser Attacks and how Google is Leveraging AI to combat the risk

36:50:00 - Malvertising imitates a free tool used by many tech teams - RVTools

Linkedin:

Damian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianchung/

Troy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kosovotroy/

Fern: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernrojasaz/

Business Inquiries: dtf at cyberpodcast dot net