No Password Required

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Aug 2026

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The No Password Required Podcast connects with the cybersecurity industry’s most interesting professionals and shares their stories. No Password Required covers a variety of tech topics, from the cyber-related challenges facing law enforcement to the advent of quantum computing, this podcast explores the people and topics at the forefront of the field.

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August 17, 202643 min

No Password Required Podcast Episode 76 - Dr. Aleksandr Yampolskiy

In this episode: How a virus-infected Prince of Persia floppy disk on a Commodore 64 sparked a lifelong obsession with cybersecurity (03:03 - 06:45) From NYU to Yale cryptography PhD to Goldman Sachs to Gilt Groupe, and the near-miss that changed everything (03:03 - 06:45) What SecurityScorecard actually does and why the pen and paper questionnaire era had to end (06:55 - 08:18) What it looked like in the early days, including an IKEA furniture test for business partnerships (08:26 - 12:01) Why SecurityScorecard now scores every company in the world, not just twelve million organizations (12:01 - 12:29) The Gilt Groupe credit card near-miss, what the first 24 hours looked like, and why fear was the first reaction (12:50 - 17:30) What it takes to create an entire market category from scratch and why the job to be done never changes (17:48 - 20:20) The difference between the CISO version and CEO version of Alex, and what Satya Nadella said about zooming out (20:49 - 22:36) Which version of Alex people would rather have a beer with and why any job besides CEO is more fun (22:43 - 23:45) How North Korea used a fake hedge fund to try to recruit SecurityScorecard developers (24:06 - 25:47) Why the world is not becoming safer and the critical difference between robustness and resilience (25:59 - 26:42) The True Confessions keynote: why openly admitting breaches makes the whole ecosystem stronger (27:13 - 29:22) The Jaguar Land Rover breach and what it took to double a UK company's security budget overnight (27:13 - 29:22) The single most dangerous thing a board member has ever said in a meeting about cybersecurity (29:45 - 31:09) What one thing a non-technical CEO could do this week to make their CISO's life better (31:25 - 32:12) The Lifestyle Polygraph: restaurant health scores, PowerPoint ban, The Inner Game of Tennis, chess, false advertising, and podcast advice (33:07 - 41:32) Timestamp Highlights: (03:03) Prince of Persia, a floppy disk, and the origin of a cybersecurity career (06:07) The realization that changed everything: you can do everything right and still lose (08:26) The IKEA furniture test for business partnerships (12:50) The Gilt Groupe near-miss and what the first 24 hours looked like (17:48) What it takes to create a market category from scratch (20:49) CISO vs CEO: zooming in vs zooming out (22:43) Which version of Alex would you rather have a beer with? (24:06) North Korea's fake hedge fund operation (25:59) Robustness vs resilience: why the mindset has to change (29:45) The most dangerous thing a board member has ever said (31:25) One thing every non-technical CEO should do this week (36:48) The Inner Game of Tennis and the infinite game (40:00) Chess, false advertising, and meeting his future wife Resources & Links: SecurityScorecard — securityscorecard.com The Perfect Scorecard by Aleksandr Yampolskiy ThreatLocker — Presenting sponsor of No Password Required DerScanner — Episode sponsor Cyber Florida — The Mother Ship

August 3, 20267 min

No Password Required: Next Gen - Ep. 3 - Kieran Human

No Password Required: Next Gen - Ep. 3 - Kieran Human How Lead Cybersecurity Engineers Actually Think In this episode of No Password Required: Next Gen, Yazzel interviews Kieran Human, Lead Cybersecurity Engineer at ThreatLocker. From research to working directly with ThreatLocker's CEO on new security initiatives, Kieran gives an inside look at what it's really like to work on the front lines of cybersecurity. Kieran stands out as a cybersecurity professional by hares why curiosity, strong communication, and understanding the bigger picture are just as valuable as technical skills. He also reflects on one of his proudest career moments, writing a compliance white paper that earned praise from ThreatLocker's CEO Danny Jenkins, and explains how that experience reinforced the importance of research, writing, and always looking for ways to improve. Kieran also explains why Zero Trust security is becoming essential, teaches viewers a few cybersecurity terms that are guaranteed to impress at dinner, and even reveals why the Terminator would be his ultimate cybersecurity teammate! Whether you're exploring a career in cyber or looking for practical advice from someone working in the field every day, this episode is packed with insights for the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Presented by ThreatLocker Supported by DerScanner Follow Kieran on Linked in here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-human-5495ab170/ Chapter List: 00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity and Career Path 02:54 Key Skills and Qualities for Success in Cybersecurity 06:07 Impact of AI and Zero Trust in Cybersecurity 06:56 Fun Insights and Closing Thoughts

July 20, 202643 min

No Password Required Podcast Episode 75 - Philipp Leo

Philipp Leo — Swiss cyber expert, diplomat, and military officer, always two steps ahead of the storm No Password Required Season 7: Episode 7 - Philipp Leo Philipp Leo co-founded Leo & Muhly Cyber Advisory, a strategic advisory firm specializing in cyber risk, resilience, and geopolitics. Now consulting with governments and private firms in Switzerland and abroad, Philipp has served as a UN observer on the Korean DMZ, trained the next generation of Swiss Armed Forces cyber specialists, and taught at the University of Glasgow. He is also part of Europol's network of experts in data protection and cybercrime and has published stateside in MIT Sloan Management Review. In this episode, Philipp shares his journey from a Swiss bank he couldn't wait to leave to the Korean border, and eventually to the boardrooms of executives who still think cyber risk is someone else's problem. He breaks down the three most dangerous misconceptions executives have about cyber risk, why the CISO is too often a poster child rather than a decision-maker, and the challenges to cyber insurance in Europe. Cyber attorney Jack Clabby and co-host Kayley Jerrell talk with Philipp about his live crisis simulation that nobody can win, how to train cyber warriors, and how nation-state cyber conflict is looking more and more like the age of Caribbean pirates. In the Lifestyle Polygraph, Philipp reveals his favorite book, his eye-opening, go-to celebratory drink, and the weight of his luxury umbrella. He also shares his favorite escape when the complexity of modern life gets to be too much and introduces us to a Zurich commuting tradition that involves swimming home through a river. In this episode: Philipp's journey from a Swiss bank he couldn't wait to leave to the Korean DMZ and eventually the boardrooms of Fortune 500 executives (00:27 - 02:22) The three most dangerous misconceptions executives have about cyber risk and why cyber risk is a corporate problem, not a technology problem (04:19 - 05:30) How Philipp's live crisis simulation works, why nobody can win it, and why that's exactly the point (05:49 - 08:47) Why cyber crisis teams have improved dramatically but leadership boards remain the weakest link (06:30 - 08:47) The CISO poster child problem: why most CISOs have the accountability without the authority (09:54 - 11:00) Why cyber insurance in Europe has largely failed to deliver and what happens when attackers find your policy before you do (11:17 - 13:44) The OFAC twist: what happens mid-exercise when a Swiss bank decides to pay and then learns the attackers are on the sanctions list (18:38 - 19:31) Training Swiss Armed Forces cyber specialists and why the first lesson is that the other side plays by no rules (19:47 - 21:37) Whether nation states can ever beat the cyber threat and why the east side of Vienna tells you everything you need to know (21:54 - 23:25) Why nation-state cyber conflict has become remarkably similar to the age of Caribbean pirates (23:46 - 24:23) The Lifestyle Polygraph: Endurance, Campari Red Bull, a three-ounce umbrella, a cabin in the Alps, and swimming home through a Zurich river (00:04 - 12:03) Timestamp Highlights: (00:27) From Swiss banker to UN observer on the Korean DMZ (04:19) The three misconceptions executives have about cyber risk (05:49) The crisis simulation nobody can win and why that's the whole point (09:54) Why the CISO is too often a poster child without real power (11:17) Why cyber insurance in Europe has largely failed (18:38) The OFAC twist that stopped a Swiss bank mid-exercise (19:47) Training Swiss cyber warriors to understand the other side plays by no rules (21:54) Nation states vs. cyber threats: are defenders always outpaced? (23:46) How nation-state cyber conflict mirrors the age of Caribbean pirates (07:25) Always prepared: the three-ounce umbrella that nobody sees Resources & Links: Leo & Muhly Cyber Advisory Philipp Leo on LinkedIn ThreatLocker — Presenting sponsor DerScanner — Supporter of this podcast Cyber Florida — The Mother Ship

July 6, 202657 min

No Password Required Breakout Room with Rob Whetstine

In this episode: Why Rob always asks for the team nobody wants and what the turnaround process actually looks like (00:31 - 02:10) From sleeping in his car at 18 to Fortune 500 executive, and the kindness from strangers he still carries with him today (02:10 - 04:32) What a successful team turnaround actually looks like, including eight leaders in ten years and what changed (04:32 - 07:00) Servant leadership, why career leaders almost always fail, and the power of coming in with a partial idea instead of a completed thought (07:00 - 09:33) The truth about the cybersecurity job shortage and why open jobs almost never mean what you think they mean (09:33 - 11:37) Why communication skills matter more than technical ability and what happens when a technical score of 10 meets a communication score of two (11:37 - 13:22) Cyber is a marathon, not a race, and why passion got Rob a job at Disney over people with far more experience (13:22 - 15:27) Neurodiversity in the workplace, getting diagnosed with autism at 40, and why really smart doesn't get jobs anymore (15:27 - 17:51) The colleague who told Rob everyone thought he was a jerk, the boss who explained why, and the apology tour that followed (17:51 - 21:31) Getting laid off from Disney, becoming a ghost on the internet, and accidentally building the BowtieSecurityGuy brand (21:31 - 25:47) Tying self-worth to career, crying before job interviews, and the four words his wife said that changed everything (25:47 - 27:40) The 3am LinkedIn message from India that made Rob realize he was in this for life (27:40 - 29:40) Zero expectations, zero conditions, and why Rob messaged Rex about a hat with absolutely nothing to gain (29:40 - 31:40) Immersion therapy, D&D every Monday, and why a bad public speaker is more memorable than a good one (34:03 - 37:16) Rejection sensitivity dysphoria, masking, and why setting the tone in a room changes everything (37:16 - 39:23) The 3,000 manual LinkedIn messages, the algorithm daddy slap, and pricing yourself where you want to be (39:23 - 40:43) Zero expectations as a life philosophy and why people don't quit jobs, they quit bosses (40:43 - 42:27) Learning to walk three times, leg braces, and why cutting through grass almost brought Rob to tears (42:27 - 44:40) What Rob tells job seekers who have been at it for two years: you are ten nos away from your dream job (44:40 - 47:09) The cybersecurity salary reality check and why 3,500 to 4,500 people graduate with cyber degrees every single month (47:09 - 48:50) Rob's thank you to the people who know who they are, his battle buddies, and why vulnerability is a strength (48:50 - 51:28) Fail with style, the Walt Disney Haunted Mansion story, and why Rob never took no for an answer at Disney (51:28 - 56:39) Timestamp Highlights: (00:31) Give me the team nobody wants (02:10) Homelessness at 18 and the kindness that stayed with him (07:00) Servant leadership and the power of a partial idea (09:33) The real reason there are so many open cybersecurity jobs that never get filled (11:37) Stop applying. Start connecting. (13:22) How passion got Rob hired at Disney over NSA agents (17:51) Getting diagnosed with autism at 40 (21:31) Getting laid off from Disney and accidentally building a brand (27:40) The 3am message that changed everything (34:03) D&D, immersion therapy, and why bad public speakers are more memorable (42:27) Learning to walk three times and why Rob doesn't take anything for granted (51:28) Walt Disney, the Haunted Mansion, and failing with style Resources & Links: BowtieSecurityGuy — Rob's brand across all platforms ThreatLocker — Presenter of No Password Required Breakout Room Cyber Florida — The Mother Ship

June 22, 202651 min

No Password Required Podcast Episode 74 - Shane Tews

Shane Tews — Non-Resident Senior Fellow at AEI and the person who explained the internet to Capitol Hill No Password Required Season 7: Episode 7 – Shane Tews Shane Tews is a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where she focuses on cybersecurity, privacy, artificial intelligence, and internet governance. She is also President of Logan Circle Strategies, a strategic advisory firm working at the intersection of technology and policy. Before her think tank work, Shane helped introduce modems to the George H.W. Bush White House, walked the halls of Capitol Hill explaining the internet to blank-staring legislators, and spent years at VeriSign helping shape the foundational frameworks of how the internet would be governed. In this episode, Shane traces her unlikely path from the Bush administration to becoming one of Washington's most trusted voices on tech policy. She breaks down why regulating outcomes rather than inputs is the only sensible approach to technology governance, why the US and EU are operating from fundamentally different innovation philosophies, and why a national privacy bill is long overdue. She also explains why most organizations and individuals are far less protected than they think and why nobody knows who to call when something goes wrong. Jack Clabby and co-host Kayley Melton talk with Shane about legacy system vulnerabilities, the cybersecurity implications of agentic AI, and what policymakers absolutely must get right over the next decade. She also reflects on what the CISA reauthorization limbo means for companies that don't even know they've lost liability protection. In the Lifestyle Polygraph, Shane reveals she has 20,000 emails across eight accounts, admits she fakes laughs at bad jokes out of Midwestern politeness, shares her obsession with The Bear and Peaky Blinders, and tells us about her children's book project using Google Omni called "Shane on a Train." Follow Shane on LinkedIn and on X at @ShaneTews. Find her work at AEI.org and TechPolicyDaily.com. No Password Required is presented by ThreatLocker In this episode: Shane's path from the George H.W. Bush White House to becoming Capitol Hill's go-to internet explainer (00:34 - 02:22) Why the Clinton-era multi-stakeholder model got internet governance right and what that means for policy today (04:40 - 06:13) The case for a national privacy bill and why 50 state standards aren't working (07:24 - 09:27) What AEI covers and how Shane thinks about riding the top of the wave across the entire tech policy stack (09:35 - 11:23) Legacy systems, vendor debt, and why outdated software is the easiest entry point for bad actors (11:30 - 13:34) The gap between how protected people think they are and how exposed they actually are, including a generational perspective on MFA (14:07 - 16:25) The biggest disconnect between everyday cyber reality and the policy world (16:59 - 20:35) Government readiness for a major cyber attack and why most people don't have a plan (20:54 - 22:32) How the US and EU innovation philosophies differ and why Europe's banking system is the real tech problem (22:41 - 25:38) The DeepSeek false narrative and where the US is leading vs. reacting on AI (25:45 - 29:21) The shift from AI features to AI coordination and what agentic AI means for cybersecurity permissions (29:28 - 32:16) What policymakers must get right on AI over the next 10 years (32:25 - 34:11) The Lifestyle Polygraph: inbox chaos, fake laughs, The Bear, and Shane on a Train (00:04 - 12:48) Timestamp Highlights: (00:34) Shane's origin story: modems at the White House and blank stares on the Hill (04:40) Why the internet got policy right early on and what we can learn from it (07:24) The case for harmonizing breach standards with a national framework (11:30) Legacy systems and vendor debt as the easiest attack vectors (14:07) The real gap between how protected people think they are and how exposed they actually are (20:54) Government cyber readiness: do you know who to call when something goes wrong? (22:41) US vs. EU innovation: why Europe's banking system is the real tech problem (29:28) Agentic AI and the cybersecurity risks of permissions you forgot you gave (32:25) What policymakers must get right on AI over the next decade (06:44) Shane on a Train: using Google Omni to write a children's book series Resources & Links: AEI.org — Shane's think tank home base TechPolicyDaily.com — Daily tech policy coverage ThreatLocker — Supporter of this podcast Cyber Florida — The Mother Ship

June 9, 202628 min

No Password Required Podcast Episode 73 - Mudita Khurana

Show Summary: Mudita Khurana — Tech Lead at Airbnb and the person who always says, “I got this” No Password Required Season 7: Episode 6 - Mudita Khurana Mudita Khurana is a Tech Lead for Automated Tooling and Vulnerability Management at Airbnb, where she focuses on building modular, scalable security systems in an era of rapidly evolving AI threats. Before Airbnb, she spent nearly a decade in security roles across Accenture, Meta, and PwC, making bold career pivots along the way, including turning down a PwC return offer to join Facebook's product security team. In this episode, Mudita shares her journey from a family of doctors in India to Carnegie Mellon and into the heart of Big Tech security. She discusses what it means to thrive as a non-traditional engineer in a deeply technical field, why she stepped back from management to get closer to the work, and how she thinks about building security tooling that won't be obsolete in three months. Jack Clabby and co-host Kayley Melton, recording live from Tampa B-Sides at the University of South Florida, talk with Mudita about imposter syndrome, AI's curveballs for security teams, leadership without a leadership title, and the importance of community in staying on top of a field that never stops moving. She also reflects on what great mentorship looks like early in a career and why clarity, ownership, and consistency are the leadership qualities she keeps coming back to. In the Lifestyle Polygraph, Mudita firmly plants her flag in the Harry Potter universe as Hermione, explains why Deadpool doesn't qualify as a superhero, debates gym vs. nature as a reset strategy, and reveals her dream remote work base: a high-altitude Buddhist mountain town in the Himalayas. Follow Mudita on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muditakhurana/ In this episode: Mudita shares her unconventional path into cybersecurity, highlighting the importance of mentorship and curiosity (0:25 - 1:37) The significance of mentorship, especially Vandana Verma, in her career development (2:26 - 4:00) Transition from management to technical IC roles and why staying close to technical work matters (9:29 - 10:23) The influence of her education at Carnegie Mellon and how it broadened her problem-solving skills (6:23 - 7:41) Navigating imposter syndrome and embracing challenges as growth opportunities (3:26 - 5:29) How AI is changing cybersecurity strategies—building modular, layered systems for agility (15:31 - 16:26) The importance of community, trust, and consensus in cybersecurity decision-making (17:06 - 17:47) Mudita’s favorite places for remote work and balancing planning with spontaneity in travel (23:01 - 24:13) Her personal approach to wellness, exercise, and resets during busy days (21:32 - 22:36) Her unique perspective on superhero characters, favorite places, and cultural roots (18:54 - 19:36, 25:19 - 26:21) Timestamp Highlights: (00:25) Mudita's 10-year journey into cybersecurity starting from India (02:26) Mentorship’s critical role in her growth and her admiration for Vandana Verma (09:29) Transition from management back to technical roles and why staying close to the work matters (15:31) How AI fosters layered, modular security systems for faster adaptation (17:06) The importance of community and trusted information sources in security (21:32) Reset routines—gym versus nature hikes—and staying grounded during busy days (25:19) Leh, Ladakh: Mudita’s ideal remote work location nestled in Himalayan beauty Resources & Links: Vandana Verma - Influential mentor in cybersecurity ThreatLocker - Supporter of this podcast Cyber Florida – The Mother Ship

May 25, 202650 min

No Password Required Podcast Episode 72 - Madeline Sedgwick

Madeline Sedgwick — Cyber Threat Analyst at Palo Alto Networks and a DUUUUVALLL lifer No Password Required Season 7: Episode 5 – Madeline Sedgwick Madeline Sedgwick is a Cyber threat Researcher and Threat Analyst at Palo Alto Networks Unit 42, specializing in nation-state cyber activity, covert infrastructure, and cyber intelligence analysis. Before entering the private sector, she spent six years in the U.S. Navy as an intelligence specialist, helping support some of the earliest cyber operations under United States Cyber Command. In this episode, Madeline shares her journey from joining the Navy to becoming one of the first certified cyber targeteers supporting offensive cyber operations. She discusses the realities of tracking covert threat actor infrastructure, why defenders must understand adversary behavior beyond alerts and signatures, and how intelligence analysis helps uncover the bigger picture behind cyber campaigns. Jack Clabby and co-host Sarina Gandy talk with Madeline about fusion analysis, cyber warfare, leadership, and the challenges of translating highly technical investigations into actionable insights for government and industry leaders. She also reflects on the importance of humility in leadership, mentoring, and learning to navigate high-pressure situations with confidence and curiosity. In the Lifestyle Polygraph, Madeline debates cybersecurity in the Star Wars universe, explains her Weird Al Yankovic Dragon Con costume, reflects on her time playing bass in a metal band, and proudly shares why Jacksonville, Florida, will always be home. Follow Madeline on Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mesedgwick/ Chapters: 02:10 Intro-Madeline Sedgwick 09:00 The Role of Cybersecurity in National Security 12:08 Understanding Covert Networks and Threat Intelligence 14:52 Fusion Analysis in Cybersecurity 18:04 The Importance of Distinguishing Threats 20:52 Challenges in Cybersecurity Response 23:58 Briefing Decision Makers on Cyber Threats 27:52 Understanding Adversary Intent and Risk Communication 30:12 Leadership Lessons from the Navy 34:33 The Importance of Mentorship in Career Development 37:30 The Lifestyle Polygraph: A Fun Twist on Cybersecurity 41:04 Embracing Creativity and Personal Expression 45:50 Pride in Roots: The Jacksonville Connection

May 11, 20263 min

No Password Required: Next Gen - Ep. 2 - Tim Kircher

No Password Required: No Password Required: Next Gen - Ep. 2 - Tim Kircher From Freshman Stress to Cyber Success: Formula 1, Pickleball, and hacking in Real life In this episode of No Password Required: Next Gen, Yazzel Corona interviews Tim Kircher, a cybersecurity student at USF and member of the Security Operations Center Apprenticeship Program at Cyber Florida. Tim shares how his fascination with technology first sparked his interest in cybersecurity. From networking advice and navigating the chaos of a cybersecurity education, Tim keeps it real, giving us all the tips about what it takes to get started successfully in the field. He talks about why communication skills matter just as much as technical ability in the age of AI and automation, and how taking things “one day at a time” helped shape his journey. Outside of cyber mode, Tim is a huge pickleball and Formula 1 fan, leading to fun conversations about cyber pit crews, movie hacking scenes, and why Mercedes would absolutely be his dream team. From defensive cyber operations to teamwork and leadership, Tim’s story is all about staying curious, building connections, and finding your path in cybersecurity. Follow Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-kircher/ Chapters: 00:00 — Introduction 00:30 — Discovering Cybersecurity 00:54 — Advice for Freshman Cybersecurity Students 01:47 — Formula 1 & Cybersecurity 02:10 — Which F1 Team Would Be Vulnerable? 02:28 — Building the Ultimate Cybersecurity Pit Crew 03:01 — Hollywood Hacking vs. Real-Life Hacking 03:22 — Final Advice for Future Cybersecurity Professionals 04:01 — Toasting to the Future Follow Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-kircher/ Presented by ThreatLocker

April 21, 202620 min

No Password Required Breakout Room with Fagan Afandiyev

Fagan Afandiyev — Elite Cybersecurity Competitor and Legendary Whitehatter No Password Required: Breakout Room: Episode 1 — Fagan Afandiyev Fagan Afandiyev is a cybersecurity student at the University of South Florida and a member of the CyberHerd competition team, known for his strategic mindset and passion for solving complex challenges. From competing in international robotics competitions to discovering cybersecurity through hands-on platforms, Fagan has built his skills through curiosity, persistence, and a love for problem solving. Fagan shares how competitions, community, and continuous learning shaped his journey into cybersecurity. He walks through his growth within USF’s cyber community, and how that led to a penetration testing internship at Microsoft. He also offers insight into the mindset needed to succeed in cybersecurity, encouraging others to embrace challenges, learn through failure, and find enjoyment in the process. Follow Fagan on Linked in here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fagan-afandi/ Presented by ThreatLocker Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity Passion 3:02 Journey to Cyber Herd and University Life 06:12 Internship at Microsoft and Career Aspirations 08:59 Hackathon Experience and Community Engagement 12:39 Behind the Scenes of Cyber Competitions 14:30 Overcoming Challenges in Cyber Competitions 18:00 Gratitude and Mentorship in Cybersecurity

April 6, 202640 min

No Password Required Podcast Episode 71 - Cynthia Wrye

Cynthia Wyre —Project Manager at Rapid7 and the Queen of Cyber Media No Password Required Season 7: Episode 4 - Cynthia Wyre Cynthia Wyre is a Senior Strategic Engagement Project Manager at Rapid7, where she helps connect academic research and industry. Her path into cybersecurity innovation was untraditional, moving from healthcare and construction project management into vulnerability research and academic partnerships. Cynthia reflects on how she applied for a role she did not think she was qualified for, why professionals of all backgrounds belong in cyber, and how project management skills can open unexpected doors. Jack Clabby of Carlton Fields, P.A., and K. Melton of the Cognitive Security Institute welcome Cynthia live from CyberBay 2026 in Tampa for a conversation about research, resilience, and relationship-building in cybersecurity. Cynthia explains Rapid7’s partnership with USF and Cyber Florida, including her efforts to support research around SOC analyst training and burnout, and the future of cyber education. Throughout the conversation, Cynthia highlights the importance of community, mentorship, and helping people see that cybersecurity is not limited to one path or one type of person. The episode wraps with the Lifestyle Polygraph, where Cynthia reveals how she would work a room full of strangers and how she won a costume contest moments before meeting rapper Young Gravy. She also earns a crown of her own, officially joining the No Password Required fantasy cybersecurity squad as Queen of the Podcast. Follow Cynthia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiawyre/ Presented by ThreatLocker Follow ThreatLocker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/threatlockerinc/posts/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:15 From Aspiring Physical Therapist to Project Manager 03:50 Transitioning from Construction to Cybersecurity 05:12 Applying for the Rapid7 Role and Overcoming Self-Doubt 10:25 Academic Partnerships with USF and Cyber Florida 12:56 Leaning into Discomfort and Personal Growth 20:15 The Role of Marching Band and Education in Cynthia’s Life 24:25 A Memorable Encounter with a Music Industry Entertainer Yung Gravy 28:00 Lifestyle Polygraph and Fun Personal Questions 37:40 Crowning Cynthia as Queen of the Podcast