Unencrypted Chatter - ISC2 New Jersey Chapter Podcast

On this stop of the Unencrypted Chatter Roadshow, host Joe Patti catches up with NJ SECON speaker Debra Price ahead of her talk to explore what happens when cybersecurity meets Go-to-Market strategy.

Debra breaks down GTM and why building a great product is only part of the equation. With 42% of startups failing because of a lack of product-market fit, understanding your audience, analyzing the market, and determining whether there is real demand can make all the difference.

The conversation also explores the growing role of AI in Go-to-Market strategies. AI tools can help accelerate research and analysis, but they can also create new challenges when organizations make assumptions about their market, pricing, or the problems customers are actually willing to pay to solve.

From finding the right market and analyzing demand to pricing and product-market fit, Joe and Debra look at the business considerations that can determine whether an idea gains traction or falls short.

AI is making us faster and smarter, but it is doing the same for the adversary.

Recorded live at NJ SECON 2026, closing keynote speaker Dr. Erdal Ozkaya joins hosts Joe Patti and Rich Mendoza to explore the new rules of enterprise security in an age where AI is both a powerful defender and an emerging weapon.

From prompt-based attack vectors and the growing threat of Shadow AI to attackers moving faster than defenders, the conversation challenges us to rethink how we protect our organizations. If defenders are the back wheel of the bicycle, how do we stop following and start getting ahead?

The discussion also ventures into almost science-fiction territory: we are increasingly relying on AI to defend us while still working to fully understand, govern, and control what we are creating.

Featuring Joe Patti and Rich Mendoza, with Audio Engineer Charlie Fraser.

Recorded live at NJ SECON 2026, Alissa Knight joins Joe Patti and Richard Mendoza immediately following her keynote for a conversation on the future of agentic AI.

Alissa explains what an AI harness is and why it's becoming the missing piece between large language models and autonomous AI agents. Using the analogy of the harness as the "body" and the LLM as the "brain," she breaks down how these systems work together to create intelligent, task-driven AI. The discussion also explores Ares, Claude Mythos, and how agentic AI is transforming cybersecurity and the broader technology landscape.

Don't miss this insightful conversation from the Unencrypted Chatter Live podcast at NJ SECON 2026.

Recorded live at NJSECON 2026 as part of the Unencrypted Chatter Live Podcast Roadshow, hosts Joe Patti and Rich Mendoza sit down with Michael Geraghty for a conversation on cybersecurity, public service, and protecting New Jersey's digital future.

Drawing from his extensive experience in government, law, and cybersecurity leadership, Michael shares insights on the evolving threat landscape, the importance of public-private partnerships, and the challenges organizations face as they work to strengthen resilience against modern cyber threats.

Join us for this live discussion from the conference floor as we explore what it takes to defend New Jersey in an increasingly connected world.

In this episode, as part of our countdown to NJSECON 2026, we're revisiting memorable conversations from NJSECON 2025.

Recorded live at NJ SECON 2025, host Joe Patti sits down with the team from Rainbow Secure to explore the meaning behind their unique approach to cybersecurity and their signature concept, "Color & Style."

What do colors have to do with cybersecurity? More than you might think. From visual identity and authentication to rethinking how we protect digital assets, Rainbow Secure shares how color, patterns, and human interaction can play a role in building stronger security solutions.

Join us for a conversation that challenges traditional thinking and shows how cybersecurity can be viewed through a different lens; one that's secure, innovative, and full of color.

As part of our countdown to NJ SECON 2026, we're revisiting memorable conversations from NJSECON 2025. In this episode, recorded live at NJ SECON 2025, host Alex Velez sits down with Yolanda Baker, a cybersecurity veteran with more than 20 years of experience, to discuss the importance of wellness in a demanding profession.

Yolanda shares how a workplace wellness program introduced her to yoga and meditation, and how those practices helped shape her approach to stress, burnout prevention, leadership, and career longevity. Together, Alex and Yolanda explore the human side of cybersecurity and offer practical insights for students and experienced practitioners looking to build resilience and maintain balance in their personal and professional lives.

Whether you're new to cybersecurity or a seasoned professional, this conversation is a reminder that protecting yourself is just as important as protecting the systems you defend.

As part of our countdown to NJ SECON 2026, we're revisiting memorable conversations from NJSECON 2025.

In this episode, host Joe Patti sits down with Podcast Committee member Claudia Hernandez to discuss their experiences with the Unencrypted Chatter podcast project, various volunteer initiatives within the ISC2 New Jersey Chapter, and the value of community involvement. Recorded live at NJ SECON 2025, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people helping drive the chapter forward.

As we make our way towards NJSECON 2026, we're revisiting some of the memorable conversations from last year's conference. At Throwback Stop #1, host Joe Patti sits down with Dr. Erdal Ozkaya to discuss his NJSECON 2025 presentation, Hacking Humans. From the psychology behind cyber threats to stories and insights gathered throughout his career, Dr. Ozkaya shares why the human element remains one of the most important aspects of cybersecurity. Filled with engaging discussion and conference banter, this episode is a great way to kick off our road trip back through NJSECON 2025.

Building an effective Information Security program requires more than a collection of tools, policies, and controls. It requires a clear strategy, strong governance, executive alignment, and a foundation that can scale as the business evolves.In this session, we are fortunate to be joined by two dynamic and thoughtful leaders, Juan Morales and Michael Lebiedzinski, who have built and led high-performing security programs at Fortune 100 organizations. They will share practical insights, lessons learned, and strategic considerations to help listeners design Information Security programs that are resilient, business-aligned, and built to last.

Continuing our SECON 2025 throwback series, host Joe Patti sits down with Joseph Nunes, President of the ISACA New Jersey Chapter, during the conference.

With both the ISC2 New Jersey Chapter and ISACA New Jersey chapters sponsoring SECON 2025, the conversation highlights the strong connection between the two communities and the many professionals who actively participate in both.

Joe reflects on his 14 years as an ISACA member, sharing insights on certifications, testing experiences, and the value of continuing education for cybersecurity and IT governance professionals. The discussion also explores the chapter’s growing focus on community outreach, educational workshops, partnerships with universities, and new initiatives engaging high school students interested in cybersecurity careers.

Looking ahead, Joe shares his hopes for 2026, including expanding collaboration and partnerships between ISACA and ISC2 chapters to continue strengthening the cybersecurity community.