2 Cyber Chicks

Hosted by Simply Cyber Media Group

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Jun 2026

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About the show

2 Cyber Chicks is an inclusive cybersecurity podcast designed to educate and break the stereotypes of cybersecurity professionals. We will be discussing the “tough” topics that come along with being a woman in this field while providing life hacks on how to handle burnout, networking, and goal-setting. Our mission is to cast a net to an inclusive audience and provide a safe place for discussion. Guests will include leading professionals in the field, providing real-life insight and demystifying some of the assumptions of the cyber world. We understand that cybersecurity is a journey and there are other aspects to entering into this field and pivoting once in the field. We want to cover it all! Our primary focus will be students, transitioning professionals, or cyber security professionals that are eager to level up in their career, however, the content we put out is great for anyone eager to learn more about the cybersecurity industry.

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42 recent

September 16, 2026Episode 234 min

Quantum Is Coming, AI Is Already Here — Building Guardrails Before the Break

In this episode of 2 Cyber Chicks, we're joined by Shawnna Hoffman, CEO of Armored Quantum and a recognized leader in responsible AI, quantum-safe security, and digital trust. Shawnna works at the intersection of artificial intelligence, quantum security, and governance, helping organizations build guardrails that hold up under real-world pressure. She co-led IBM's global Watson AI legal practice, has testified before the CFTC on blockchain, and founded Women in eDiscovery and Diversity in Blockchain — and today she runs a company focused on protecting organizations from the day quantum computing breaks the encryption everything relies on. In this conversation, we explore: - What "responsible" AI actually means when everyone is shipping it anyway - Why quantum is the threat most security teams still aren't budgeting for - What the Watson-era AI hype cycle taught us about today's genAI rush - How to build guardrails without strangling innovation This episode is a must-listen for security leaders, AI practitioners, and anyone interested in how governance, emerging technology, and trust come together before the next break. Follow Shawnna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnnahoffman ========================= Connect with 2 Cyber Chicks: LinkedIn: 2 Cyber Chicks Podcast Email us: 2CyberChicks@gmail.com Jax Scott, Founder, @TheZaraAI - Jax on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/iamjax - YouTube: Outpost Gray - Twitter/X: @outpostgray - Website: iamjax.me Erika McDuffie, Managing Principal, Coalfire Systems - Erika on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-mcduffie-767394bb #2cyberchicks ========================= Learn more about our Season Sponsor @ThreatLocker Stop ransomware without the hassle. Allow what you need and block the rest with ThreatLocker Zero Trust Platform — simple to deploy, simple to manage. Learn more at https://threatlocker.com/2cyberchicks . ========================= All the ways to connect with @SimplyCyber https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials

September 2, 2026Episode 128 min

The New Rules — No More Entry Level Jobs

In this seaon opening episode of 2 Cyber Chicks, Erika is back and it's just the two of us kicking off Season 9 with the conversation quietly reshaping every career in this industry: artificial intelligence. We get into what's actually changing on the ground and how entry-level roles have merged and been redefined, why the traditional four-year degree no longer carries the weight it once did, and what it genuinely means to harness AI rather than be replaced by it. We also get practical about securing AI through prompt engineering and guardrails, and the daily skills and routines that separate the people who talk about AI from the people who actually use it. In this conversation, we dive into: - How entry-level cybersecurity jobs have changed — and how roles are merging into something new - Why the four-year degree is being rewritten, and what's replacing it - The real power of AI — and what it means to actually harness it - How to secure AI through prompt engineering and guardrails - The skills and routines to build now, and why you need to lean in today This episode is a must-listen for anyone breaking into cyber, rethinking their career path, or trying to figure out how to lean into AI before it leaves them behind. ========================= Connect with 2 Cyber Chicks: LinkedIn: 2 Cyber Chicks Podcast Email us: 2CyberChicks@gmail.com Jax Scott, Founder, @TheZaraAI - Jax on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/iamjax - YouTube: Outpost Gray - Twitter/X: @outpostgray - Website: iamjax.me Erika McDuffie, Managing Principal, Coalfire Systems - Erika on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-mcduffie-767394bb #2cyberchicks ========================= Learn more about our Season Sponsor @ThreatLocker Stop ransomware without the hassle. Allow what you need and block the rest with ThreatLocker Zero Trust Platform — simple to deploy, simple to manage. Learn more at https://threatlocker.com/2cyberchicks . ========================= All the ways to connect with @SimplyCyber https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials

June 3, 2026Episode 831 min

AI Won’t Save Cybersecurity

In this episode of 2 Cyber Chicks , Jax sits down with Kathleen Moriarty, technology strategist, former CTO and CISO, Georgetown University adjunct professor, and one of the few people who has helped shape how internet security actually works. This is not a hype episode. Kathleen challenges the dominant narrative that AI will “fix” cybersecurity and explains why that belief may be creating more risk than it removes—especially for organizations with limited resources. Drawing on decades of experience influencing global standards, teaching cyber threat intelligence, and advising boards, she breaks down where automation helps, where it hurts, and where we’ve completely lost the plot. This conversation explores: Why AI is being oversold as a cybersecurity solution How automation without understanding creates hidden systemic risk The growing divide between organizations that can afford security—and those that can’t What responsible AI use in cybersecurity should actually look like The uncomfortable truths leaders need to face before scaling AI-driven defenses If you’re tired of buzzwords, vendor promises, and magical thinking around AI—this episode brings the clarity the industry desperately needs. Connect with Kathleen Moriarty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-moriarty-022a062 Learn more about Security Bias: https://securitybias.com ========================= Connect with 2 Cyber Chicks: LinkedIn: 2 Cyber Chicks Podcast Email us: 2CyberChicks@gmail.com Jax Scott, Founder, @OutpostGray - Jax on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/iamjax - YouTube: Outpost Gray - Twitter/X: @outpostgray - Website: iamjax.me Erika McDuffie, Managing Principal, Coalfire Systems - Erika on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-mcduffie-767394bb #2cyberchicks ========================= Learn more about our Season Sponsor @ThreatLocker Stop ransomware without the hassle. Allow what you need and block the rest with ThreatLocker Zero Trust Platform — simple to deploy, simple to manage. Learn more at https://threatlocker.com/2cyberchicks . ========================= All the ways to connect with @SimplyCyber https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials

May 20, 2026Episode 722 min

The Truth About Critical Infrastructure Security

In this episode of 2 Cyber Chicks, Jax sits down with Angela Haun, Executive Director of the ONE-ISAC and a former FBI Special Agent with over two decades of experience protecting critical infrastructure. Angela brings a rare, real-world perspective on cybersecurity—one where cyber incidents don’t just mean data loss, but physical consequences, national security implications, and economic disruption. She shares what it actually takes to protect the oil and natural gas sector, why information sharing is harder than everyone claims, and where leaders continue to underestimate risk. This conversation explores: - Why cyber threats to critical infrastructure are fundamentally different - The realities of information sharing across highly regulated industries - How trust is built and broken between private industry and government - Why boards still struggle to understand cyber risk in physical terms - The uncomfortable truths leaders need to hear about preparedness and accountability If you care about cybersecurity beyond buzzwords where cyber meets physical, economic, and national security this episode is essential listening. Connect with Angela: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-haun Organization Website: https://www.oneisac.org ========================= Connect with 2 Cyber Chicks: LinkedIn: 2 Cyber Chicks Podcast Email us: 2CyberChicks@gmail.com Jax Scott, Founder, @OutpostGray - Jax on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/iamjax - YouTube: Outpost Gray - Twitter/X: @outpostgray - Website: iamjax.me Erika McDuffie, Managing Principal, Coalfire Systems - Erika on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-mcduffie-767394bb #2cyberchicks ========================= Learn more about our Season Sponsor @ThreatLocker Stop ransomware without the hassle. Allow what you need and block the rest with ThreatLocker Zero Trust Platform — simple to deploy, simple to manage. Learn more at https://threatlocker.com/2cyberchicks . ========================= All the ways to connect with @SimplyCyber https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials

May 6, 2026Episode 629 min

AI Is Quietly Rejecting You at 1:50 a.m. and The Brutal Truth About AI Hiring

In this episode of 2 Cyber Chicks, Jax and guest co-host Tasha Denose sit down with Ruby Murphy, a technical recruiter known for her sharp boundaries, zero tolerance for nonsense, and deep expertise hiring across cybersecurity and engineering. Ruby exposes what’s actually broken in tech and security hiring from AI-driven résumé black boxes to tone-deaf hiring practices that burn out candidates and recruiters alike. The conversation explores: - The recent New York Times lawsuit challenging AI “black box” hiring decisions - Whether AI is making hiring fairer—or just more opaque - Why candidates are getting rejected with no feedback and what recruiters see behind the scenes - How to stand out professionally without playing performative LinkedIn games - The hiring practices Ruby would happily burn down—and what should replace them Ready for something blunt, human, and long overdue? If you’re a job seeker, hiring manager, or leader relying on AI to “scale” hiring - this conversation might make you uncomfortable. And that’s the point. Connect with Ruby: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linkedwithruby Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rubysrecruiting Company: https://hamptonnorth.com News Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/business/ai-hiring-tools-lawsuit-eightfold-fcra.html ========================= Connect with 2 Cyber Chicks: LinkedIn: 2 Cyber Chicks Podcast Email us: 2CyberChicks@gmail.com Jax Scott, Founder, @OutpostGray - Jax on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/iamjax - YouTube: Outpost Gray - Twitter/X: @outpostgray - Website: iamjax.me Erika McDuffie, Managing Principal, Coalfire Systems - Erika on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-mcduffie-767394bb #2cyberchicks ========================= Learn more about our Season Sponsor @ThreatLocker Stop ransomware without the hassle. Allow what you need and block the rest with ThreatLocker Zero Trust Platform — simple to deploy, simple to manage. Learn more at https://threatlocker.com/2cyberchicks . ========================= All the ways to connect with @SimplyCyber https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials

April 22, 2026Episode 536 min

Authenticity, Neurospicy Leadership & Why Perception Is Reality in Life

In this episode of 2 Cyber Chicks , Jax sits down with Virginia Case, a fractional C-level executive, serial entrepreneur, and go-to-market fixer known for blending psychology, marketing, AI, and no-BS execution. Together, they unpack the tension between authenticity and awareness, why “just being yourself” can sometimes cross into tone-deaf leadership, and how perception truly becomes reality in business, careers, and cybersecurity. Virginia shares her personal journey of publicly owning her ADHD/neurospicy brain, recognizing when she’s masking, and learning how to channel that energy into a renewable leadership advantage instead of burnout. This conversation dives deep into: Why confidence without awareness can backfire How leaders and cyber professionals unintentionally sabotage their own narrative What it really means to “market your cyber self” without feeling fake The role of perception in hiring, leadership, and influence How neurodivergent leaders can design success on their own terms If you’re navigating leadership, career growth, or visibility in cybersecurity and want to do it with integrity, self-awareness, and impact this episode is for you. Connect with Virginia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginiastewartcase Check out Virginia's website: https://www.stratac.com ========================= Connect with 2 Cyber Chicks: LinkedIn: 2 Cyber Chicks Podcast Email us: 2CyberChicks@gmail.com Jax Scott, Founder, @OutpostGray - Jax on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/iamjax - YouTube: Outpost Gray - Twitter/X: @outpostgray - Website: iamjax.me Erika McDuffie, Managing Principal, Coalfire Systems - Erika on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-mcduffie-767394bb #2cyberchicks ========================= Learn more about our Season Sponsor @ThreatLocker Stop ransomware without the hassle. Allow what you need and block the rest with ThreatLocker Zero Trust Platform — simple to deploy, simple to manage. Learn more at https://threatlocker.com/2cyberchicks . ========================= All the ways to connect with @SimplyCyber https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials

April 8, 2026Episode 424 min

Risk, Power, and Influence: What It Really Takes to Lead in Cyber

In this episode of 2 Cyber Chicks, Jax sits down with Tashya Denose, a senior cybersecurity leader, bestselling author, podcaster, and board member of Black Girls in Cyber. Tashya has built her career securing some of the most complex environments, from the Pentagon and the U.S. Secret Service to Capital One, Google, and now Meta, where she works at the intersection of risk, governance, and emerging technology. In this candid conversation, we explore: Why compliance doesn’t always equal security How leaders should think about risk across government, finance, and Big Tech What it takes to influence decisions when security isn’t the loudest voice The human cost of burnout—and how to build a sustainable career in cyber Why belonging and community directly impact security outcomes This episode is a must-listen for security leaders, practitioners, and anyone navigating the real-world tension between frameworks, risk, and reality. Connect with Tashya Denose: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tashya-denose-68814765 ========================= Connect with 2 Cyber Chicks: LinkedIn: 2 Cyber Chicks Podcast Email us: 2CyberChicks@gmail.com Jax Scott, Founder, @OutpostGray - Jax on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/iamjax - YouTube: Outpost Gray - Twitter/X: @outpostgray - Website: iamjax.me Erika McDuffie, Managing Principal, Coalfire Systems - Erika on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-mcduffie-767394bb #2cyberchicks ========================= Learn more about our Season Sponsor @ThreatLocker Stop ransomware without the hassle. Allow what you need and block the rest with ThreatLocker Zero Trust Platform — simple to deploy, simple to manage. Learn more at https://threatlocker.com/2cyberchicks . ========================= All the ways to connect with @SimplyCyber https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials

March 25, 2026Episode 323 min

Security Doesn’t Win, Business Does: The Hard Truth About Being a CISO

In this episode of 2 Cyber Chicks, Jax sits down with Angelique Grado, a board director, fractional CISO and CIO, former Air Force officer, and cybersecurity leader for critical infrastructure and global enterprises. Angelique has spent over two decades leading technology and security strategy across Fortune-scale organizations, OT and ICS environments, and safety-critical systems where failure isn’t an option. She’s known for making cybersecurity a business accelerator, not a blocker, helping leaders navigate risk, growth, and complexity with clarity and confidence. In this candid conversation, we explore: - Why businesses increasingly accept cyber risk as long as revenue isn’t impacted - The most misunderstood part of being a CISO and who misunderstands it most - How “aviate, navigate, then communicate” applies to modern cyber leadership - How AI is reshaping the CISO role faster than governance can keep up - What boards and executives still get wrong about cybersecurity risk This episode is a must-listen for CISOs, security leaders, board members, and anyone navigating the tension between business growth and security reality. Learn more about Angelique: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelique-grado-51580516 ========================= Connect with 2 Cyber Chicks: LinkedIn: 2 Cyber Chicks Podcast Email us: 2CyberChicks@gmail.com Jax Scott, Founder, @OutpostGray - Jax on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/iamjax - YouTube: Outpost Gray - Twitter/X: @outpostgray - Website: iamjax.me Erika McDuffie, Managing Principal, Coalfire Systems - Erika on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-mcduffie-767394bb #2cyberchicks ========================= Learn more about our Season Sponsor @ThreatLocker Stop ransomware without the hassle. Allow what you need and block the rest with ThreatLocker Zero Trust Platform — simple to deploy, simple to manage. Learn more at https://threatlocker.com/2cyberchicks . ========================= All the ways to connect with @SimplyCyber https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials

March 11, 2026Episode 224 min

How Women Are Rewriting the Rules of Cybersecurity Leadership

In this episode of 2 Cyber Chicks, we sit down with Aarti Gadhia, a cybersecurity leader who isn’t interested in fitting the mold, she’s here to redesign it. We dig into what it really takes to lead in cybersecurity today: navigating perception versus reality, owning your voice in high-stakes environments, and pushing back against outdated leadership norms. Aarti shares her personal journey, the moments that shaped her confidence, and how she balances authenticity with executive presence in rooms that weren’t built with her in mind. This is a candid, thoughtful, and energizing conversation about: What real leadership looks like in cyber (beyond titles) How women and underrepresented leaders shape influence without permission The unspoken rules of executive spaces—and when to break them Building credibility without losing yourself If you’ve ever felt like you had to “perform” to be taken seriously in tech or security, this episode is for you. Connect with Aarti: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aartigadhia ========================= Connect with 2 Cyber Chicks: LinkedIn: 2 Cyber Chicks Podcast Email us: 2CyberChicks@gmail.com Jax Scott, Founder, @OutpostGray - Jax on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/iamjax - YouTube: Outpost Gray - Twitter/X: @outpostgray - Website: iamjax.me Erika McDuffie, Managing Principal, Coalfire Systems - Erika on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-mcduffie-767394bb #2cyberchicks ========================= Learn more about our Season Sponsor @ThreatLocker Stop ransomware without the hassle. Allow what you need and block the rest with ThreatLocker Zero Trust Platform — simple to deploy, simple to manage. Learn more at https://threatlocker.com/2cyberchicks . ========================= All the ways to connect with @SimplyCyber https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials

February 25, 2026Episode 127 min

Turning Threat Intelligence Into Real-World Action

In this episode of 2 Cyber Chicks, we sit down with Karla Reffold, Chief Insights Officer at Surefire Cyber, to unpack what threat intelligence really looks like when it matters most. Karla operates at the intersection of threat intelligence, incident response, and cyber product strategy, helping organizations cut through noise and uncertainty during high-pressure security incidents. From guiding executive decision-making in real time to building tools that actually support responders, she’s spent her career turning complex data into clear, actionable insight. We dive into what separates intelligence that drives action from intelligence that just looks good on a slide, how leaders make confident decisions under pressure, and why so many organizations misunderstand incident response until they’re living through it. This is a candid, practical, and insight-packed conversation about: - What “useful” threat intelligence really looks like in practice - The information leaders actually need during active incidents - Why data alone doesn’t lead to better decisions—and what does - Where cyber products fall short for real-world responders - How teams can move from intelligence to action when time is limited If you’ve ever wondered why some organizations stay calm and decisive during crises while others struggle, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what makes the difference. Learn more about Karla: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlareffold LinkedIn Course: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/learning-threat-intelligence/defending-your-network ========================= Connect with 2 Cyber Chicks: LinkedIn: 2 Cyber Chicks Podcast Email us: 2CyberChicks@gmail.com Jax Scott, Founder, @OutpostGray - Jax on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/iamjax - YouTube: Outpost Gray - Twitter/X: @outpostgray - Website: iamjax.me Erika McDuffie, Managing Principal, Coalfire Systems - Erika on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-mcduffie-767394bb #2cyberchicks ========================= Learn more about our Season Sponsor @ThreatLocker Stop ransomware without the hassle. Allow what you need and block the rest with ThreatLocker Zero Trust Platform — simple to deploy, simple to manage. Learn more at https://threatlocker.com/2cyberchicks . ========================= All the ways to connect with @SimplyCyber https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials