In this episode of The Resilience Room, Sam and James are joined by Nasser Arif, an award-winning cybersecurity leader in the NHS who journeyed from aeronautical engineering to finding his true "home" in cyber. Nasser shares his unique transition from a non-traditional background into a field engineer role, and the pivotal moment an observant manager invited him to join the security team.

The trio dives deep into the mindset of curiosity required to survive a rapidly changing industry. Nasser provides a refreshingly human perspective on AI adoption, moving past the "doom and gloom" to discuss how LLMs can streamline tedious tasks—like meeting minutes—to make space for more creative, strategic work and genuine human connection. He also reveals his "secret" use for AI: visualizing his dreams and even predicting his award-winning fashion choices.

Nasser reflects on winning the National Cyber Award for the NHS, battling imposter syndrome by staying authentic, and his new role as a judge for the upcoming awards. Whether you are a student looking for free resources or a professional feeling overwhelmed by the speed of tech, this episode is a masterclass in staying grounded while moving at a rapid pace.

Topics covered: Non-traditional routes into cyber, transferable engineering skills, managing burnout and industry change, AI in healthcare and enterprise, the ethics of data ownership, overcoming imposter syndrome through authenticity, and the "butterfly effect" of mentorship.

[The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of their employer.]

In this episode of The Resilience Room, Sam and James sit down with Hazel, a seasoned cyber security professional who spent 15 years in technical IT before discovering her true calling through an ISC2 pilot programme in the NHS. Hazel opens up about the moment a tutor changed her entire perspective on security — and why that hacker mindset still defines how she approaches the industry today.

The conversation covers the very real challenge facing mid-career professionals who've outgrown entry-level resources but haven't yet reached the executive tier, and why Hazel believes the cyber security community is one of the most genuinely collaborative in tech. Hazel also discusses her work with Women in Cyber Security UK & Ireland and B-Sides Bristol, before introducing Seasides — her own initiative bringing cyber security education and opportunity to coastal communities in the South West, starting in Weston-super-Mare.

They also tackle the AI question head-on: will it kill entry-level jobs? Hazel gives a grounded, refreshingly non-hysterical take on where AI genuinely helps, where it fails, and why the people doing hands-on work have far less to fear than the headlines suggest.

Topics covered: breaking into cyber security, mentorship and community, women in tech, the mid-career gap, AI and the future of security roles, coastal community outreach, vibe coding, and knowing when to question your AI tools.

In this episode of The Resilience Room, cybersecurity leader Ben Bachmann breaks down why AI-powered SOC tools are still overhyped, how security culture beats any technology investment, and what CISOs are really losing sleep over. From OT security on offshore rigs to the true cost of drowning in data, Ben shares candid insight from years leading security at global organisations. Whether you're a CISO, aspiring security professional, or just trying to keep your company safe, this conversation cuts through the noise.

Our host is Sam Dickison and the co-host this time is Alex Kliemt, from Immersive.

Topics covered: AI in cybersecurity, SOC automation, phishing & social engineering, OT/ICS security, CISO board communication, security culture, incident response, and building security awareness programmes.