SOC Unlocked: Tales from the Cybersecurity Frontline

Healthcare security leader Michael Myint joins host Mick Leach on the latest episode of SOC Unlocked to explore how AI is changing security operations, what modern leaders should expect from emerging vendors, and why the fundamentals still matter. Drawing on 30 years in information security, Michael shares a practical view of where AI is delivering value today—and where hype still outpaces reality.

Together, Mick and Michael discuss deepfakes, AI-powered SOC workflows, startup innovation, board-level reporting, and the career habits that separate good practitioners from future security leaders. The conversation lands on a clear takeaway: teams should embrace modern security architectures, but never at the expense of sound judgment, strong foundations, and ownership.

Threat intelligence leader Piotr Wojtyla joins host Mick Leach on the latest episode of SOC Unlocked to unpack how AI, behavioral modeling, and threat intelligence are converging to reshape modern security operations. Drawing from years in incident response and nation-state investigations, Piotr explains why combining known-good behavior with known-bad intelligence is critical to detecting today’s most evasive threats.

Together, Mick and Piotr explore how machine learning and LLMs are transforming the SOC from a linear alert factory into a feedback-driven decision engine—while also exposing new risks, from remote insider scams to agentic AI and SaaS token abuse. The conversation blends war stories, practical lessons, and forward-looking insight, underscoring a central theme: AI can elevate defenders dramatically, but strong security still depends on human judgment, curiosity, and fundamentals done right.

Cybersecurity visionary Dave Kennedy joins Host Mick Leach on SOC Unlocked to explore how artificial intelligence is redefining the balance between attacker innovation and defender resilience. From building custom large-language models to outsmart attackers at scale to proving that humans still belong at the center of the SOC, Dave reveals what it really takes to stay ahead in an age of machine-speed threats.

Together, Mick and Dave unpack how AI is accelerating the attacker’s toolkit, transforming the analyst’s workflow, and redefining what “defense in depth” means today. The discussion blends technical insight with practical wisdom—a candid look at innovation, leadership, and why the best security strategies still start with people.

Host Mick Leach welcomes renowned ethical hacker and author FC to SOC Unlocked for an unforgettable deep dive into the human side of cybersecurity. From walking unnoticed into a government facility with hundreds of cameras to the infamous “gold bar” heist that still makes clients squirm, FC’s stories reveal how curiosity, timing, and psychology often outsmart even the strongest technical defenses.

Together, Mick and FC explore the fine line between ethical hacking and criminal creativity, the crucial role of trust (and why it so often backfires), and how AI is reshaping both sides of the security battlefield. The conversation is equal parts thrilling and practical—a reminder that true security depends less on tools and more on awareness, discipline, and a healthy dose of skepticism.

In this episode of SOC Unlocked, host Mick Leach talks with Marty McDonald, Principal Domain Advisor at Optiv, about what it takes to modernize today’s SOCs for an AI-driven world.

Marty shares how forward-looking teams are automating repetitive, level-one work with SOAR and agentic frameworks freeing analysts to focus on higher-value investigations. He also explains how UEBA and entity analytics help analysts tell better data stories, transforming telemetry into actionable insight for executives and boards alike.

The conversation underscores a timeless truth—modernization starts with fundamentals. From refining metrics to running effective tabletop exercises, small, consistent improvements drive lasting transformation.

Senior Information Security Engineer Steven Dumolt joins SOC Unlocked to share the real-world challenges of working in a SOC. From scaling cloud-first operations to tackling alert fatigue and AI hype, he offers insights on resilience, teamwork, and career growth in cybersecurity.

In this episode of SOC Unlocked, host Mick Leach sits down with Lisa Tetrault, Senior Vice President of Security Services at Arctic Wolf, to explore AI-driven threats, SOC leadership, and building a culture that keeps analysts engaged and effective.

With more than 25 years in security and operations, Lisa shares her path from network operations to leading Arctic Wolf’s global SOC, concierge security team, and incident response division. She discusses the rise of AI-powered social engineering, the limits and promise of AI in security, and why “human in the loop” remains critical.

Lisa also reveals how her team combats burnout with smarter workflows, strong recognition programs, and a culture that values variety, growth, and celebration. This engaging discussion shows how people, processes, and technology come together to elevate and fortify modern SOCs—making it a must-listen for anyone in cybersecurity.

In the premiere episode of Season 2 of SOC Unlocked, host Mick Leach sits down with Patricia Titus, Field CISO at Abnormal AI, for a candid conversation about resilience, risk, and redefining what it means to lead in cybersecurity.

Season 1 of SOC Unlocked has been a journey through the dynamic and ever-changing world of cybersecurity. With host Mick Leach as our guide, we explored cutting-edge advancements in the SOC, shared powerful stories, and celebrated the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to protect organizations from evolving threats. In this special finale episode, we take a moment to reflect on the stories and lessons that shaped our first season. From the transformative role of AI in defending against modern cyberattacks to the importance of collaboration and mentorship, this episode revisits the moments that inspired, educated, and entertained.

In the latest episode of SOC Unlocked, host Mick Leach sits down with Nikki Milburn, Franklin County’s Chief Information Security Officer, who rose from an unexpected start to become a leader of a dynamic security team. Nikki unveils her strategies for safeguarding essential public infrastructure, navigating the intense speed of cyber threats, and empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Discover how Nikki’s commitment to community and collaboration drives her approach to security and keeps public services resilient against the latest threats.