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 cybersecurity community.

Learn about the reality of working as a SOC analyst, the tools of the trade such as Vim, VS Code, and Wireshark, and the rewarding nature of thwarting cyber attacks. This episode emphasizes the power of community, the significance of balancing work with family life, and the benefits of giving back through knowledge sharing.

Don't miss these valuable insights, and expect more exciting discussions in future episodes!

Connect with our guest, Dan Reardon, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danrearden

00:00 Welcome to Simply Defensive

00:10 Meet Dan Reardon aka Haircutfish

00:51 Dan's Journey into Cybersecurity

01:14 The Art of Meme Making

02:15 Connecting Through Memes

06:20 Dan's Blogging Adventures

11:50 Learning and Adapting in Cybersecurity

14:21 Dan's Hacker Origin Story

17:07 Getting Started with TryHackMe and Blue Teaming

17:48 First Security Job Experience

18:19 Expectations vs Reality in SOC Roles

20:30 Favorite Tools and Utilities

25:16 The Importance of Community in Cybersecurity

33:08 Final Thoughts and Recommendations for Blue Teamers

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Connect with your hosts:
Josh Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacmason
Wade Wells: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wadingthrulogs
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