Navigating the Complexities of Cybersecurity Recruitment with Lane McFarland

In this episode of the Cyber Security Recruiter Podcast, the host is joined by Lane McFarland, the VP of People Operations, Operational Excellence, Process Automation, and Workforce Planning at Flashpoint.

Lane shares insights into his extensive career, which spans various roles in operations and people management. The discussion delves into the intricacies of modern recruitment practices, the impact of AI on job seeking and hiring processes, and the strategies for effective networking and outreach in a competitive job market.

Lane emphasizes the importance of ethical use of AI, the value of honest and realistic resumes, and the significance of maintaining a robust professional network. The episode is filled with practical advice and real-world examples, making it a valuable resource for both job seekers and recruiters.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:31 Lane's Career Journey

02:26 Day in the Life of Lane

04:30 AI in Cybersecurity Recruitment

09:55 Challenges in Recruitment

18:54 Ethics and AI in Recruitment

24:27 The Importance of In-Person Interviews

25:40 Coaching Through Resume and Interview Preparation

26:33 The Role of Personal Connections in Job Applications

30:06 Balancing Remote and In-Person Work

36:10 Effective Outreach Strategies for Job Seekers

43:18 The Value of Networking and Mentorship

45:50 Recommended Resources for Professional Growth

Lane suggested:

 Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

Books by Ben Eubanks

Navigating Cybersecurity Careers: Insights from Alfredo Hickman's Phenomenal Journey

In this episode of the Cybersecurity Recruiter podcast, Thomas sits down with Alfredo Hickman, a seasoned cybersecurity professional with a rich background in both the military and commercial sectors.

Alfredo shares his career journey, including his time in the United States Marine Corps, transitions to key roles at Vista International Operations, Rackspace, and currently at Ossian Security. The discussion highlights key topics such as the significance of community in cybersecurity, the impact of AI at the Black Hat conference, and advice for transitioning military personnel into the commercial world.

Alfredo also delves into career progression strategies, the importance of genuine human connections, and the value of resilience and perseverance. The conversation is filled with valuable insights for both job seekers and employers in the cybersecurity industry.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:00 Alfredo Hickman's Career Journey

04:05 Black Hat Conference Insights

14:23 Transitioning from Military to Commercial World

18:05 Job Search Tips from an Employer's Perspective

23:20 Spotting Resume Red Flags

23:47 Balancing Job Search and Lifestyle

25:01 The Importance of Networking

25:37 Climbing the Career Ladder

26:08 Resilience and Grit: Personal Stories

27:53 Inspirational Quotes and Their Impact

35:39 Building Relationships for Career Growth

42:26 Recommended Reads for Personal Growth

44:17 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Films/quotes that Alfredo mentions and are well worth checking out:

Theodore Roosevelt, The Man in the Arena

Rocky Balboa film

Mother Theresa of Calcutta

Rudyard Kipling - If

Books that Alfredo recommends:  

The Hard Thing about Hard Things by Ben Horowitz  

Jocko Willink. Extreme Ownership

General Stanley McChrystal, Team of Teams

From Network Analyst to Cybersecurity Entrepreneur: A Conversation with Vinson Cornejo.

In this episode of the Cybersecurity Recruiter Podcast, Thomas speaks with Vinson Cornejo, Founder and Managing Partner of Blue Cloak. Vinson shares his professional journey from a network analyst at George Washington University to starting his own cybersecurity company. The discussion covers Vinson's typical day, the transition from being an employee to an employer, and the challenges and rewards of running a business.

Vinson also explores the role of AI in cybersecurity and offers insights into the hiring process and the importance of interest and passion in the field. The episode concludes with a look into Vinson's favorite resources for career growth and personal development.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:14 Client Demands and Productive Mornings

01:11 Vinson's Career Journey 02:42 A Day in the Life

08:52 The Challenges and Rewards of Entrepreneurship

15:09 Supporting Employee Growth and Entrepreneurship

19:27 The Importance of Character in Tough Times

20:07 Hiring for Character Over Skills

23:27 Balancing Work and Personal Life

24:04 Diving into AI and Its Applications

26:03 The Future of AI in the Workplace

28:26 Efficient Coding with AI Tools

32:58 Reusing and Integrating Code Libraries

37:10 The Impact of AI on Jobs and Society

38:18 Personal AI Agents: The Next Big Thing

39:01 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Navigating the Cybersecurity Business Landscape with Gene Reich

In this episode of the Cyber Security Recruiter podcast, Thomas sits down with Gene Reich, owner of Point and co-founder of Traceless.io. They discuss Gene's extensive experience running two businesses simultaneously, his journey towards transitioning out of day-to-day operations, and the importance of resilience in the face of challenges.

Gene shares insights on the significance of hiring the right people, building a strong company culture, and the unique challenges of doing business in New York City. He also reflects on his personal growth and the benefits of forming meaningful, in-person connections in the business world.

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

01:02 Gene's Business Journey

01:51 Challenges of Running an MSP

03:59 Delegation and Team Building

10:23 Navigating Business Setbacks

18:17 The Importance of Rest and Emotional Discipline

19:01 Stepping Away from Work to Clear Your Head

19:34 Accepting Business Challenges and Self-Development

20:19 Opportunities and Reflections on Entrepreneurship in America

25:32 Hiring the Right People and Developing Leaders

31:42 Filtering Content and Personal Growth

34:01 The Value of In-Person Connections Post-COVID

37:09 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

From Lockheed Martin to Founding Reveal Risk: Tim Sewelll's Cybersecurity Journey

In this episode of the Cybersecurity Recruiter Podcast, Tim Sewell shares his remarkable journey through the cybersecurity field.

Starting as an Information Assurance Lead at Lockheed Martin and advancing to Chief Cyber Architect, Tim has accumulated extensive experience over nearly a decade. He then moved on to serve in significant cybersecurity roles at Mayo Clinic and Eli Lilly, before co-founding Reveal Risk.

Tim discusses the challenges and successes of building Reveal Risk from the ground up, including navigating the complexities of running a business, pivoting during the COVID-19 pandemic, and scaling the company to $5.8 million in revenue. He also emphasizes the importance of balancing robust cybersecurity measures with practicality for businesses and delves into the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, especially in light of generative AI. Additionally, Tim offers valuable insights for aspiring cybersecurity professionals seeking to advance in their careers.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:40 Tim Saul's Career Journey

01:29 Current Role and Advisory Work

02:53 Challenges in Cybersecurity for Small Companies

03:52 Career Progression Tips

04:23 Experience at Lockheed Martin

07:11 Transition to Healthcare Cybersecurity

11:00 Starting Reveal Risk

13:04 Navigating Business Challenges During COVID-19

18:48 Scaling the Business and Leadership

21:17 The Challenges of Hiring in a Small Company

21:57 Handling Employee Development and Transitions

23:00 Facing Difficult Business Decisions

25:51 Balancing Work and Personal Life

32:20 The Importance of Contract Language

34:28 Advising and the Future of Cybersecurity

37:23 Recommended Resources for Cybersecurity Professionals

38:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Tim recommends:

Hacking Exposed by Stuart McClure, Joel Scambray, and George Kurtz

Effective Leadership and Navigating Cyber Security Careers

In this Cyber Security Recruiter Podcast episode, Thomas welcomes Shawn Mattioli, COO of Prescient, to discuss Shawn's impressive career journey from an FBI intelligence intern to his current role.

They explore the importance of team bonding in a remote work environment, the value of networking, and the evolving landscape of insider threats and ransomware negotiations. Shawn shares insights into what attributes make a good candidate in the cybersecurity industry, emphasizing communication, writing, time management, critical thinking, and adaptability.

They also delve into the impact of AI on junior jobs and the necessity for young professionals to develop crucial soft skills. The episode concludes with book recommendations and a candid discussion on the challenges and rewards of leadership.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:01 Shawn's Career Journey

06:12 Building Relationships and Networking

12:24 Insider Threats and Cybersecurity

17:33 Hiring and Industry Insights

19:43 The Importance of Communication Skills

20:02 Writing Skills: Breaking It Down Barney Style

20:32 Time Management and Critical Thinking

21:52 Adaptability in High-Pressure Situations

26:24 The Role of Critical Thinking in Problem Solving

30:09 The Impact of AI on Skill Development

32:13 The Value of In-Person Collaboration

33:49 Self-Development and Leadership

37:44 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

Shawn recommends:

 The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

Navigating the Cybersecurity Job Market: Insights with Brendan Cronin

In this episode of the Cybersecurity Recruiter Podcast, Tom is joined by Brendan Cronin to discuss their long-awaited conversation on the cybersecurity job market.

Brendan shares his career journey, starting as a teacher and progressing through various roles including network engineering and management at Verizon, to his current position at Vigilant Solutions. They delve into the impact of the internet boom, the cyclical nature of the market, and the transformative effect of AI.

The discussion also covers practical advice for job seekers, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, leveraging relationships, and personalizing job applications. Brendan highlights the increasing importance of niche areas in cybersecurity, especially related to AI, and the need for well-rounded skill sets.

The episode wraps up with book recommendations and personal anecdotes, providing valuable insights for both job seekers and industry professionals.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:56 Brendan Cronin's Career Journey

01:51 The Evolution of Cybersecurity

04:30 AI and Market Cycles

06:35 Job Market Challenges and Strategies

10:40 The Rise of AI and Automation

14:24 Security Threats and Job Market Realities

18:39 The Impact of AI on Job Markets

19:12 Challenges in Job Applications

20:04 Recruitment Strategies and Automation

20:25 Navigating Job Market Realities

23:29 Adapting to Technological Changes

25:51 Breaking into Cybersecurity

27:58 The Future of Cybersecurity and AI

31:03 The Importance of Continuous Learning

32:21 Recommended Resources and Tools

35:45 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

Brendan recommends:

The Cuckoo's Egg by Clifford Stoll

Sandworm: A New Era of Cyberwar and the Hunt for the Kremlin’s Most Dangerous Hackers by Andy Greenberg

Fancy Bear Goes Phishing by Scott J. Shapiro

The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande

From System Admin to VP of Product Security: Ed Hagopian's Journey in Cybersecurity

In this episode of the Cyber Security Recruiter podcast, Thomas welcomes guest Ed Hagopian, VP of Product Security at Cream City Cyber.

Ed shares his career trajectory from a CIS admin to a leading role, emphasizing a hands-on approach, relentless curiosity, and the importance of adaptability in the fast-evolving tech landscape. He discusses his early interest in computers, driven by his father's encouragement, and how this passion led to pivotal roles at North Western Mutual, Microsoft, and Dell.

The conversation highlights the value of building strong teams, continuous learning, and positive mindset in overcoming career challenges and embracing technological advancements like AI and machine learning.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:28 Ed's Career Journey

02:52 Early Passion for Computers

05:20 Challenges and Setbacks

10:10 AI and Machine Learning Insights

13:14 The Future of AI and Security

15:31 Identity Proofing and Trust

21:16 AI in Music and Media

21:54 AI in Cybersecurity: Detection and Defense

22:21 The Rise of AI in Music

22:33 Career Advice for Aspiring Professionals

23:17 The Importance of Hands-On Learning

24:09 Mentorship and Skill Development

26:05 Implementing a Risk Assessment Program

27:34 The Value of Demonstrable Proficiency

28:15 Adapting to Technological Changes

32:01 The Power of Positive Attitude

36:42 Recommended Books and Continuous Learning

41:28 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Ed suggested:

Never Split the Difference

Christopher Voss and Tahl Raz