Early in Cyber

In this episode, Omar Santos shares his remarkable 27-year journey at Cisco, from starting in the Marine Corps working on communications systems to becoming a Distinguished Engineer leading AI security initiatives. We explore his varied career path through Cisco's Technical Assistance Center, security consulting, incident response with the Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT), and his current work securing AI implementations while using AI to defend against cyber threats.

We also dive into Omar's early experiments with machine learning back in 2016, his front-row seat to the generative AI revolution, and his work co-leading the Coalition for Secure AI alongside major industry players like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic.

Links

[Omar Santos]:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/santosomar/

[CyberShams]

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cybershams/

Site - https://cybershams.com/

In this episode, James shares his perspective from the world of cybersecurity recruitment, why human skills still matter, and what hiring teams are actually looking for.  We also explore James’s journey from film studies into cyber recruitment, how he found his niche in penetration testing recruitment, and why community, mentorship, and authentic personal branding can make such a big difference when building a career in cybersecurity.  If you’re trying to break into cyber, unsure how to position your experience, or wondering how to talk about AI on your CV or LinkedIn, this conversation is packed with practical advice.  

Links

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-riley-7380875a/

[CyberShams]:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cybershams

Site - https://www.cybershams.com/podcast

We are back for 2025 & have a giveaway to kick things off!

Tune in below to see how you could win one of these books written by this fabulous duo:

“How I Rob Banks” by FC Aka FreakClown and “Confident Cyber Security: How to Get Started in Cyber Security and Futureproof Your Career” by Dr Jessica Barker.

Email: [email protected]

Links: https://linktr.ee/cybershams

Summary of T&C’s:

- Open to residents of the UK, Ireland & USA

- All entries must be submitted by **03/04/2025**

- One entry per participant

---

**Giveaway Terms and Conditions**

1. For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions, *"The Promoter"* refers to **Early in Cyber**, and the *"Prize"* refers to **ONE copy of *How I Rob Banks* by FC and ONE copy of *Confident Cyber Security: How to Get Started in Cyber Security and Futureproof Your Career* by Jessica Barker**.

2. By entering the competition, participants agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. All entries must be submitted by **03/04/2025**, and TWO winners residing in **UK, IRELAND or USA** will be selected at random by The Promoter on **04/04/2025**. The winner will be notified on or after this date.

3. The competition, with entry via **LinkedIn** and/or **YouTube**, is open only to residents of **UK, IRELAND or USA**. TWO winners will be randomly selected from all entries across both platforms.

4. **No purchase is necessary** to enter or win.

5. Each participant may submit **only one entry** per competition.

6. Participants can enter the competition via **LinkedIn** or **YouTube** by:

- Following/Subscribing The Promoter on LinkedIn (Early in Cyber) or YouTube (CyberShams)

- Interacting with the competition post on either platform.

7. The Prize will be awarded to a randomly selected winner. The Promoter is not responsible if the named Prize becomes unavailable or cannot be fulfilled for any reason.

8. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any entries that are lost, delayed, corrupted, incomplete, illegible, or otherwise invalid.

9. Prizes are **non-negotiable, non-transferable, and non-refundable**. No cash alternative will be offered. If the Prize becomes unavailable, The Promoter reserves the right to replace it with a prize of equal or greater value.

10. The winner must provide their **name, address, email address, and phone number** to The Promoter upon request to enable prize fulfillment.

11. The Promoter's decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.

12. The winner’s **name and social media username** may be publicly shared on The Promoter’s social media profiles after the winner is selected.

13. In the event of circumstances beyond The Promoter’s reasonable control, The Promoter reserves the right to modify, suspend, cancel, or terminate the competition or these Terms and Conditions, in whole or in part, with or without prior notice.

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Welcome to our 6th Episode!

A university lecturer specialising in digital forensics, Beth Jenkins is this months guest bringing great insights for both professional & personal development.

Bod eofn, Bod chwilfrydig, Bod Dewr

Links:
[Beth Jenkins]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethan-j/

[EARLY IN CYBER]
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/early-in-cyber/

[CyberShams]
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @CyberShams
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shammas-h-1332a51bb/

Welcome BACK to Part 2 with Musa Ayoob. Tune in to dive back into the conversation with more tips as to how to break into the cybersecurity market!

Links:

[Musa Ayoob]

NQB: https://nqbcyber.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/musa-ayoob/

[EARLY IN CYBER]

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/early-in-cyber/⁠

[CyberShams]

https://linktr.ee/cybershams

Email: [email protected]

Unfortunately it seems that some links mentioned in the podcast are no longer available but I have found some equivalents :)

Cybersecurity Career Quiz: https://www.leveleffect.com/cyber-defense-quiz

Cybersecurity Career Mapper: https://www.ukcybersecuritycouncil.org.uk/careers-and-learning/career-mapping/

London Cyber Expo: https://www.internationalcyberexpo.com/

CV Builder: https://www.myperfectcv.co.uk/

Welcome to our FIRST EVER video podcast! Be sure to tune in to gain insights as to how to break into the cybersecurity market with some clever tips & tricks from recruiter Musa Ayoob.

Links:

[Musa Ayoob]

NQB: https://nqbcyber.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/musa-ayoob/

[EARLY IN CYBER]

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/early-in-cyber/⁠

[CyberShams]

https://linktr.ee/cybershams

Email: [email protected]

Unfortunately it seems that some links mentioned in the podcast are no longer available but I have found some equivalents :)

Cybersecurity Career Quiz: https://www.leveleffect.com/cyber-defense-quiz

Cybersecurity Career Mapper: https://www.ukcybersecuritycouncil.org.uk/careers-and-learning/career-mapping/

London Cyber Expo: https://www.internationalcyberexpo.com/

CV Builder: https://www.myperfectcv.co.uk/

Welcome to our Fourth Episode!

Tune in to discover how Jessica has become a best-selling author & international keynote speaker specialising in the human side of cyber security. Whilst also running a successful cyber security company with her husband!

Links:

[EARLY IN CYBER]

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/early-in-cyber/

[CyberShams]

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @CyberShams

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shammas-h-1332a51bb/

[Jessica Barker MBE]

Twitter: @drjessicabarker

Website: ⁠https://www.drjessicabarker.com/

Learn about Arron's career journey which has seen him transition from a penetration tester to CISO.

Discover this interesting journey by tuning in now!

Links:

[EARLY IN CYBER]

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/early-in-cyber/⁠

[CyberShams]

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @CyberShams

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shammas-h-1332a51bb/⁠

Welcome to our Second Episode!

In this episode we learn how Jane has become a global cybersecurity influencer as well as her tips for the next-gen of cybersecurity leaders.

Also our giveaway winner has been announced in this episode so be sure to tune in!

Links:

[EARLY IN CYBER]

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/early-in-cyber/⁠

[CyberShams]

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @CyberShams

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shammas-h-1332a51bb/⁠

[Jane Frankland]

Twitter: @JaneFrankland

Website: https://jane-frankland.com/

Welcome to our first Episode featuring special guest Martin Lee!

Be sure to tune in to get Martin’s insights on industry certifications, careers in threat intelligence and much more!

Links:

[EARLY IN CYBER]

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/early-in-cyber/⁠

[CyberShams]

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @CyberShams

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shammas-h-1332a51bb/⁠

Giveaway T&C’s:

* For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions, "The Promoter" refers to Early in Cyber. The "Prize" refers to ONE signed copy of Cyber Threat Intelligence by Martin Lee .

* By entering the competition you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. All entries must be received by 06/10/2023. ONE winner in Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) will be selected at random by The Promoter on 09/10/2023 and the winner will be notified on or after this date.

* The Promoter’s competitions with entry via Twitter and/or LinkedIn are open only to residents of Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland). ONE winner will be chosen at random from all entrants and across all platforms.

* No purchase necessary.

* Only one entry per person per competition will be accepted.

* Each entrant shall enter the competition via LinkedIn/Twitter by following either The Promoter’s Twitter (@CyberShams) or LinkedIn page (Early in Cyber) and interacting with the competition post on either platform.

* The Prize will be awarded to a randomly selected winner. The Promoter will not be held liable if the named prize becomes unavailable or cannot be fulfilled.

* The Promoter will not be held liable for any failure of receipt of entries. The Promoter takes no responsibility for any entries which are lost, delayed, illegible, corrupted, damaged, incomplete or otherwise invalid.

* Prizes are non-negotiable, non-transferable and non-refundable. No cash alternative is available. Where a Prize becomes unavailable for any reason, the promoter reserves the right to substitute that prize for a prize of equal or higher value.

* The name, address, email address and phone number of the winner must be provided to The Promoter if requested and will be shared to enable fulfilment of the Prize.

* The Promoter's decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.

* The winner’s name and social media username may be posted on the social media profiles of The Promoter after the winner has been selected.

* In the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond The Promoter’s reasonable control, the promoter reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the competition or these terms and conditions, either in whole or in part, with or without notice.