In this episode of Simply Defensive, hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells are joined by SOC analyst Jessica Bishop. Jessica shares her unconventional journey into cybersecurity, transitioning from military police to a corporate role and eventually into a SOC analyst position at an MSSP.

She discusses her job's dynamic and engaging aspects, the importance of teamwork and communication within cybersecurity, and her intriguing hobby of paranormal investigation. Tune in to hear about effective cybersecurity practices, the challenges of working in a SOC, and the crossover between investigative tactics in cybersecurity and paranormal research.

Follow Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-bishop-%F0%9F%A7%AD-262729b4/

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:38 Jessica's Journey into Cybersecurity
04:02 Networking and Mentorship
05:00 Education and Career Path
09:24 Challenges and Rewards in SOC Work
13:58 Paranormal Investigations
16:05 Haunted House Stories
17:35 The Importance of Skepticism in Investigations
18:38 Relating Skepticism to Cybersecurity
19:00 The Dropbox Incident
20:18 Inflating Metrics in SOC
21:04 Challenges of Working in a SOC
24:21 The Importance of Communication in Security
29:41 Empathy in Security Work
30:22 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

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Connect with your hosts:
Josh Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacmason
Wade Wells: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wadingthrulogs

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Simply Cyber empowers people who want a rewarding cybersecurity career 💪
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All the ways to connect with Simply Cyber
https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials
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This podcast is presented by Simply Cyber Media Group

Join hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells in this episode of Simply Defensive as they welcome cybersecurity meme-maker and SOC analyst, Dan Reardon, also known as The HaircutFish.

Discover Dan's unconventional journey into cybersecurity, from creating influential memes about prominent figures like Jon Hammond and John Strand to writing insightful blogs on Medium. Dan shares his experiences at Wild West Hacking Fest, overcoming personal challenges, and the importance of networking within the cybersecurity community.

Learn about the reality of working as a SOC analyst, the tools of the trade such as Vim, VS Code, and Wireshark, and the rewarding nature of thwarting cyber attacks. This episode emphasizes the power of community, the significance of balancing work with family life, and the benefits of giving back through knowledge sharing.

Don't miss these valuable insights, and expect more exciting discussions in future episodes!

Connect with our guest, Dan Reardon, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danrearden

00:00 Welcome to Simply Defensive

00:10 Meet Dan Reardon aka Haircutfish

00:51 Dan's Journey into Cybersecurity

01:14 The Art of Meme Making

02:15 Connecting Through Memes

06:20 Dan's Blogging Adventures

11:50 Learning and Adapting in Cybersecurity

14:21 Dan's Hacker Origin Story

17:07 Getting Started with TryHackMe and Blue Teaming

17:48 First Security Job Experience

18:19 Expectations vs Reality in SOC Roles

20:30 Favorite Tools and Utilities

25:16 The Importance of Community in Cybersecurity

33:08 Final Thoughts and Recommendations for Blue Teamers

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Connect with your hosts:
Josh Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacmason
Wade Wells: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wadingthrulogs

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Simply Cyber empowers people who want a rewarding cybersecurity career 💪
=========================
=========================
All the ways to connect with Simply Cyber
https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials
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In this episode of Simply Defensive, hosts Josh Mason and Wade Wells sit down with Melanie Thomas, Vice President of Cyber Security at BridgePoint Technologies. Melanie shares insights from her role, her experience in cybersecurity, and her path from tech support to VP. She discusses her adjunct professorship at the University of San Diego, her community service, and the importance of networking. The conversation covers the significance of education in cybersecurity, Melanie's approach to balancing technical and strategic roles, and valuable advice for new entrants in the field, including teamwork and maintaining humility.

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Connect with your hosts:
Josh Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacmason
Wade Wells: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wadingthrulogs

=========================
Simply Cyber empowers people who want a rewarding cybersecurity career 💪
=========================
=========================
All the ways to connect with Simply Cyber
https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials
=========================