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 cybersecurity practices, the challenges of working in a SOC, and the crossover between investigative tactics in cybersecurity and paranormal research.

Follow Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-bishop-%F0%9F%A7%AD-262729b4/

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:38 Jessica's Journey into Cybersecurity
04:02 Networking and Mentorship
05:00 Education and Career Path
09:24 Challenges and Rewards in SOC Work
13:58 Paranormal Investigations
16:05 Haunted House Stories
17:35 The Importance of Skepticism in Investigations
18:38 Relating Skepticism to Cybersecurity
19:00 The Dropbox Incident
20:18 Inflating Metrics in SOC
21:04 Challenges of Working in a SOC
24:21 The Importance of Communication in Security
29:41 Empathy in Security Work
30:22 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

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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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Sponsored by ThreatLocker @ThreatLocker
Allow what you need, block everything else... Including ransomware. Zero trust Endpoint Protection Platform from ThreatLocker. Learn more at https://simplycyber.io/threatlocker
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Simply Cyber empowers people who want a rewarding cybersecurity career 💪
=========================
All the ways to connect with Simply Cyber
https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials
=========================
This podcast is presented by Simply Cyber Media Group

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
=========================
Sponsored by ThreatLocker @ThreatLocker
Allow what you need, block everything else... Including ransomware. Zero trust Endpoint Protection Platform from ThreatLocker. Learn more at https://simplycyber.io/threatlocker
=========================
Simply Cyber empowers people who want a rewarding cybersecurity career 💪
=========================
All the ways to connect with Simply Cyber
https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials
=========================
This podcast is presented by Simply Cyber Media Group

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 balancing technical and strategic roles, and valuable advice for new entrants in the field, including teamwork and maintaining humility.

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Connect with your hosts:
Josh Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacmason
Wade Wells: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wadingthrulogs
=========================
Simply Cyber empowers people who want a rewarding cybersecurity career 💪
=========================
All the ways to connect with Simply Cyber
https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials
=========================
This podcast is presented by Simply Cyber Media Group

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 used, such as Kismet, and the community-driven project, Wiggle. Ken also talks about his journey into cybersecurity, the origins, and the activities of the Hard Hat Brigade, and offers advice for new blue teamers: ask questions without fear. The episode highlights Ken's involvement in various security events and his emphasis on community and kindness in the cybersecurity field.

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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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Simply Cyber empowers people who want a rewarding cybersecurity career 💪
=========================
=========================
All the ways to connect with Simply Cyber
https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials
=========================

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 between teams. Plus, learn about the intricacies of Microsoft DevTunnels and other cutting-edge techniques used in the field. Don't miss Ashley's advice on research, continuous learning, and the importance of Googling effectively.

Subscribe and hit the bell for more episodes!

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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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Simply Cyber empowers people who want a rewarding cybersecurity career 💪
=========================
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All the ways to connect with Simply Cyber
https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials
=========================

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 cybersecurity roles. The trio also discusses the merits of tools like the Autopsy Digital Forensics platform, the utility of Toastmasters for public speaking, and time management strategies, making this episode a comprehensive look at the tech and human sides of cybersecurity.

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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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Simply Cyber empowers people who want a rewarding cybersecurity career 💪
=========================
=========================
All the ways to connect with Simply Cyber
https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials
=========================

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 shares his journey through higher education and obtaining his degree, along with the significance of continuous learning and certifications. The episode concludes with FedEx discussing his newly launched YouTube channel focused on cybersecurity content and his inspiration to share knowledge and help others enter the field.

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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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Simply Cyber empowers people who want a rewarding cybersecurity career 💪
=========================
=========================
All the ways to connect with Simply Cyber
https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials
=========================

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 networking, community, and continuous learning in forging a successful path in cybersecurity. The episode also explores Jibby’s passion for contributing back to the community, leading to talks at various conferences and building new cybersecurity challenges for others.

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Connect with your hosts:
Josh Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacmason
Wade Wells: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wadingthrulogs
=========================
Simply Cyber empowers people who want a rewarding cybersecurity career 💪
=========================
All the ways to connect with Simply Cyber
https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials
=========================

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 and testing. They discuss the challenges and benefits of employing detection as code, its future potential, and the role of cybersecurity tools like Splunk, CrowdStrike, and Google Chronicle. The episode also touches on how detection engineering could impact red teaming and the importance of understanding the client's environment to create effective detections.

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 training, while Wade talks about his varied roles in the cybersecurity industry, including his work in SOCs and threat intelligence.

Get insights on upcoming talks, community involvement, and the launch of future episodes focused on real-world experiences from the defensive side of cybersecurity.

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Simply Cyber empowers people who want a rewarding cybersecurity career
=========================
All the ways to connect with Simply Cyber
https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials
=========================