Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Job Security Podcast! In this introductory episode, co-hosts Dave Johnson and Ben Baker (filling in for the vacationing Tyler Zito) share the vision behind this new podcast.

Dave Johnson, Principal Solutions Architect at Expel and co-host, and Ben Baker, producer and co-host, discuss what listeners can expect in the coming episodes.

Episode highlights:

• An "enlightenment period" in cybersecurity: Dave describes the current state of cybersecurity as an "enlightenment period," where the industry has stabilized with established education systems, compliance policies, and documented methods. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the industry's history to predict its future.
• Learning from beyond cybersecurity: The podcast aims to explore unique perspectives from people who have shaped the industry, "whether they realize it or not." Dave highlights that cybersecurity concepts, like risk and strategy, are often thousands of years old and borrowed from other industries, such as finance.
• Diverse guest perspectives: Ben shares examples of potential guests from outside cybersecurity, including semi-pro poker players and former underwater welders, who can offer valuable insights into principles relevant to cybersecurity.
• A shift in focus: Dave explains that unlike many cybersecurity podcasts that focus on threats and adversaries, "Job Security" will concentrate on the people who perform the work, including those not typically in the spotlight. The goal is to explore the intrinsic parts of the industry, delve into its history, and foster conversations about career paths and practical applications.
• Optimism and self-care: The podcast seeks to project optimism, reflecting the significant progress made in the cybersecurity field. The hosts hope the podcast can be a form of "self-care," encouraging listeners to relax, learn something new, and gain fresh perspectives to combat the intensity of their daily work.
• A welcoming community: Dave notes the positive evolution of the cybersecurity community, highlighting a reduction in "egos" that previously hindered innovation. The podcast aims to inspire curiosity and innovation by encouraging listeners to step away from their immediate tasks and explore different areas.

Quotes from the episode:

• "We're here to explore the unique perspectives and stories of the people who make this industry what it is, whether they realize it or not."
• "We're in what I generally refer to as an enlightenment period of cybersecurity, where we've kind of stabilized where we are."
• "The concepts that we use are thousands of years old. It's just security, but what we're doing with it, what we're protecting, and what tools we're using, that's the different part."
• "This podcast can be a vehicle to help explore our culture, but maybe identify some ways for improvement."
• "If nothing else, if people listen to this podcast with a nice, cool drink in their hand with their feet up for a little while, maybe it's just your lunch break, that's fine. Take that 30 minutes, take that hour and just relax with a good story and some interesting discoveries from us."
• "The community is the healthiest I've ever seen it."

Stay tuned:

Tyler Zito will be back from his European vacation in a couple of weeks to share his unique perspectives in cybersecurity. Expect great episodes with fascinating guests!

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