Whether you're trying to break into cybersecurity or level up your career, knowing which skills actually matter can save you years of wasted time. In this episode of The Hacker's Cache, I rank the top 10 cybersecurity skills for 2026, explain why each one is important, and share the best ways to learn them through certifications, TryHackMe, Hack The Box, books, hands on practice, and real world experience. We cover networking fundamentals, Windows and Linux, cloud security, identity and access management (IAM), risk assessment, incident response, application security (AppSec), Python automation and scripting, AI security, communication, and problem solving. Whether you're pursuing a career in penetration testing, ethical hacking, SOC analysis, cybersecurity engineering, red teaming, blue teaming, or AI security, this episode will help you prioritize your learning roadmap and focus on the skills employers value most. 

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https://www.KyserClark.com
https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter
https://youtube.com/KyserClark
https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark
https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark
https://www.instagram/KyserClark
https://facebook.com/CyberKyser
https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity
https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark
https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY


Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information.

Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

If I had to start my cybersecurity career over in 2026, there are a few things I would do differently. In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I break down my full cybersecurity journey from joining the Air Force, earning Security+, Linux+, CCNA, CISSP, OSCP, and other certifications, becoming a penetration tester, building a YouTube channel, dealing with burnout, and pivoting into AI security. I share my biggest cybersecurity career regrets, what was actually worth it, what I would skip, and the advice I’d give to anyone trying to break into cybersecurity today.

Connect
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https://www.KyserClark.com
https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter
https://youtube.com/KyserClark
https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark
https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark
https://www.instagram/KyserClark
https://facebook.com/CyberKyser
https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity
https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark
https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY


Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information.

Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

In this Q&A episode of the Hackers Cache Podcast, I answer one of the biggest questions in cybersecurity today: Is cybersecurity still worth getting into? I share my honest thoughts after a month of job hunting, interview rejections, burnout, and watching the industry change because of AI. We also take a behind-the-scenes look at what a real penetration testing engagement looks like from kickoff call to final report, including the parts no one talks about, and I break down exactly what penetration testers can expect to earn based on my own salary history and negotiations. If you're considering a career in cybersecurity or wondering where the industry is headed, this episode offers an unfiltered perspective you won't hear in most places.

Connect
---------------------------------------------------
https://www.KyserClark.com
https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter
https://youtube.com/KyserClark
https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark
https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark
https://www.instagram/KyserClark
https://facebook.com/CyberKyser
https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity
https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark
https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY


Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information.

Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

Is cybersecurity really for everyone? In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache Podcast, Kyser Clark shares his personal experience with cybersecurity burnout, the realities of breaking into the industry, and why many aspiring professionals never make it. We discuss cybersecurity careers, penetration testing, ethical hacking, certifications like the OSCP, CISSP, and Security+, work-life balance, job market challenges, AI’s impact on cybersecurity jobs, and the sacrifices required to succeed in information security. Whether you're studying for your first certification, trying to land your first cybersecurity job, or already working in the field and feeling burned out, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to build a successful cybersecurity career in today's competitive landscape.

Connect
---------------------------------------------------
https://www.KyserClark.com
https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter
https://youtube.com/KyserClark
https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark
https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark
https://www.instagram/KyserClark
https://facebook.com/CyberKyser
https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity
https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark
https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY


Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information.

Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

In this deeply personal solo episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark opens up about severe cybersecurity burnout, getting let go from his pentesting job, and why he disappeared from content creation for over six months. Kyser shares the reality of working 80 to 90-hour workweeks in offensive security, balancing penetration testing, certifications, content creation, AI studies, and an MBA, while completely neglecting his personal life. He breaks down the hidden downsides of consulting pentest work, difficult clients, burnout in cybersecurity careers, identity struggles after job loss, and the harsh truth about today’s cybersecurity job market. Whether you’re an aspiring ethical hacker, penetration tester, cybersecurity student, or seasoned security professional, this episode offers brutally honest insight into cybersecurity careers, work-life balance, mental health, job burnout, and what it really takes to survive long-term in the industry. 

Relevant Links: 

Watch This Before You Become a Penetration Tester: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJKvmPoBYOs&t=1s

Kyser's Gaming Channel: https://www.twitch.tv/skcorpion86

Connect
---------------------------------------------------
https://www.KyserClark.com
https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter
https://youtube.com/KyserClark
https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark
https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark
https://www.instagram/KyserClark
https://facebook.com/CyberKyser
https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity
https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark
https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY


Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information.

Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

 In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I sit down with Marco Figueroa, security researcher, former Intel threat hunter, and current Mozilla AI bug bounty leader, to discuss how artificial intelligence is already reshaping cybersecurity. We dive into AI powered vulnerability discovery, malware development, nation state threats, automation, burnout in security roles, and why average cybersecurity professionals risk being left behind if they ignore AI. Marco shares real world insights from reverse engineering malware, tracking advanced persistent threats, building AI security tooling, and jailbreaking modern language models. This conversation is a deep look into the future of hacking, offensive security, and what cybersecurity professionals must do now to stay relevant in an industry changing faster than ever before. 

Connect with Marco on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-figueroa-re/

Connect
---------------------------------------------------
https://www.KyserClark.com
https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter
https://youtube.com/KyserClark
https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark
https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark
https://www.instagram/KyserClark
https://facebook.com/CyberKyser
https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity
https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark
https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY


Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information.

Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache Podcast, I sit down with Tyler Ramsbey to discuss why he quit his cybersecurity job to build his own penetration testing company, Kairos Sec, and hacking education platform, HackSmarter. We dive into the reality of cybersecurity entrepreneurship, burnout, work-life balance, OSCP and PNPT certifications, AI in penetration testing, red teaming, OffSec’s “Try Harder” culture, and what it actually takes to succeed in offensive security. If you're interested in ethical hacking, penetration testing, cybersecurity careers, red teaming, or building your own business in tech, this episode is packed with honest insights and real-world experience from two professional pentesters. 

Connect with Tyler Ramsbey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-ramsbey-86221643/

Connect
---------------------------------------------------
https://www.KyserClark.com
https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter
https://youtube.com/KyserClark
https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark
https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark
https://www.instagram/KyserClark
https://facebook.com/CyberKyser
https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity
https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark
https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY


Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information.

Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark sits down with HD Moore, the legendary creator of Metasploit and CEO of RunZero, to discuss why relying on CVEs is putting organizations at risk in 2025. They unpack the truth about vulnerabilities that never get CVEs, the hidden dangers of SSH exposures, and why attackers are outpacing defenders through innovation. HD also shares bold takes on AI’s role in cybersecurity, the overreliance on tools and certifications, and why exposing version numbers might actually make systems safer. This episode is packed with insights every ethical hacker, pentester, and cybersecurity professional needs to hear.

Connect with HD Moore: https://hdm.io/

Connect
---------------------------------------------------
https://www.KyserClark.com
https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter
https://youtube.com/KyserClark
https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark
https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark
https://www.instagram/KyserClark
https://facebook.com/CyberKyser
https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity
https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark
https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY


Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information.

Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark sits down with seasoned penetration tester Kyle Hoehn to unpack the journey from a curious teen experimenting online to a full time professional in offensive security. Kyle shares how early exposure to computer tinkering and real world troubleshooting shaped his path, why foundational IT knowledge still separates strong hackers from the rest, and what certifications actually helped him level up. We also explore the realities of learning cybersecurity today, navigating burnout, staying sharp while the AI wave reshapes the industry, and the role of passion and persistence in building a hacker career that lasts. If you want an honest look at how real pentesters grow, adapt, and thrive, this episode is for you. Subscribe to keep sharpening your edge in ethical hacking and cybersecurity.

Connect with Kyle on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylehoehn/

Connect
---------------------------------------------------
https://www.KyserClark.com
https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter
https://youtube.com/KyserClark
https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark
https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark
https://www.instagram/KyserClark
https://facebook.com/CyberKyser
https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity
https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark
https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY


Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information.

Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark sits down with Jim Schultz, an OSCP-certified penetration tester, cybersecurity instructor, and consultant with over 15 years of experience. Jim shares his journey from taking apart his first family computer in the 90s to teaching hundreds of students and returning full-time to the world of ethical hacking and security consulting. They discuss how writing skills can make or break a pentester, what academia gets right (and wrong) about cybersecurity education, and why networking and mentorship are crucial for breaking into the field. If you’re pursuing the OSCP, CPTS, or a cybersecurity career, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world insight. 

Connect with Jim Schultz on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrschultz/

Connect
---------------------------------------------------
https://www.KyserClark.com
https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter
https://youtube.com/KyserClark
https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark
https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark
https://www.instagram/KyserClark
https://facebook.com/CyberKyser
https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity
https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark
https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY


Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information.

Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.