

Hacker Valley Studio
Hacker Valley Media
Welcome back to the show! Hacker Valley Studio podcast features Host Ron Eddings, as he explores the world of cybersecurity through the eyes of professionals in the industry. We cover everything from inspirational real-life stories in tech, to highlighting influential cybersecurity companies, and we do so in a fun and enthusiastic way. We’re making cybersecurity accessible, creating a whole new form of entertainment: cybertainment.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 21, 2021 • 34min
Episode 170 - The Beauty of Cybersecurity with Grace Chi
Grace is Cofounder and COO of Pulsedive, a US-based threat intelligence startup. At Pulsedive, Grace works closely with defensive security (and in particular, cyber threat intelligence) teams to support the development of integrated intelligence capabilities and programs. Join Chris, Ron and Grace as they discuss transitioning into cyber, finding the right community to support your personality, and the beauty and purpose behind it all – as a creative in cybersecurity.
Key Takeaways:
01:46 Bio
02:46 Creativity & cyber
07:34 How does modeling help Grace’s career in cybersecurity?
09:37 The beauty in cybersecurity
14:38 Making the transition with no experience
17:27 What’s the greater purpose? How do you mesh your personality into your career?
20:51 Grace’s ideas for continuing to level the playing field regarding transitioning into cyber
23:19 Humanity in cybersecurity
28:32 Understanding how to find the beauty in cyber
31:42 Get in touch with Grace Chi
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris | Website
Grace Chi: LinkedIn | Twitter
Pulsedive: Twitter | LinkedIn
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
This episode is sponsored by livingsecurity.com

Sep 14, 2021 • 35min
Episode 169 - Art, Science, and Nanotechnology with Dr. Bahijja Raimi-Abraham
Among other things, Dr. Bahijja Raimi-Abraham is an award-winning researcher, lecturer and trailblazer in the world of nanotechnology. She also hosts a podcast called Monday Science, keeping listeners updated on the latest in tech, science, health and their relationship. She joins hosts Ron and Chris for a jam packed episode, where they cover nanotechnology, biohacking, the vast world of academia and much more.
Key Takeaways:
02:30 Bio
04:52 The origin story: combining science and art
09:40 Nanotechnology: what’s the latest, and where is the science headed?
16:00 Biohacking?
18:00 How does nanotechnology communicate?
23:34 The path to Academia: how do you find yours?
29:45 A message to the multi-talanted; knowing yourself, your strengths and Identifying the need
33:30 Get in touch with Bahijja Raimi-Abraham
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris | Website
Bahijja Raimi-Abraham: Twitter | LInkedin | Website | Podcast
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
This episode is sponsored by livingsecurity.com

Sep 9, 2021 • 31min
Episode 168 - Asking the Right Cybersecurity Questions with Ganesh Pai
Hacker Valley's Hosts, Ron and Chris are speaking with Ganesh Pai, the CEO and founder of Uptycs. What is it like to be an entrepreneur in the Cybersecurity field? While learning how Ganesh started Uptycs, learn of the techniques that he uses, such as asking the right questions and using different systems to further understand security software.
Key Takeaways:
01:42 Introducing Ganesh Pai.
02:30 Learning Ganesh's Background and his journey in entrepreneurship.
06:20 The Query System.
07:00 What is your professional Superpower? What time was that Evident?
07:1 Understanding the technology, working and interacting with others in the field.
10:45 Proactive and Reactive security.
12:00 How to ask the right questions.
14:10 Where does artificial intelligence play a part in Cyber Security.
19:00 Challenges Ganesh has faced in the workplace during COVID and the challenges and changes it poses.
20:20 Adapting to the evolving businesses and communities in a changing environment.
24:00 Helpful Habits
27:11 Last Advice
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris | Website
Ganesh Pai: LinkedIn | Uptycs
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
This episode is sponsored by Uptycs

Sep 7, 2021 • 35min
Episode 167 - Fun Versus ”FUD” Security with Ashley Rose
In today's episode Ron and Chris talk to Living Security's CEO and Co-Founder Ashley Rose, speaking on breaking the mold in the workspace and how allowing your team to have fun with what they do will create a stronger, happier and healthier work environment. Tune in to find out why, and also to get a better understanding of why Living Security is a must-have resource.
01:10 Listeners are introduced to the topic of today's episode
02:10 We meet Ashley Rose and discover her role in cybersecurity
04:30 Ashley's background before cybersecurity
08:45 How she incorporated fun into training in the workplace
16:37 Training based off of an individual's unique learning technique
19:52 How the brain activity reacts when having fun, and why that matters
24:00 Interactive learning styles to keep someone captivated
27:52 Ashley speaks on what inspires her and her team to maintain a fun, healthy and inclusive environment for everyone
32:28 Discussing how to get out of the FUD: Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt and to genuinely enjoy what you do.
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris | Website
Ashley Rose: livingsecurity.com | LinkedIn | Twitter
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
This episode is sponsored by livingsecurity.com

Aug 31, 2021 • 29min
Episode 166 - There is No Skills Gap with Andy Ellis
Hosts Ron and Chris interview Andy Ellis, CISO for over two decades that recently started a startup. He is an operating partner at YL Ventures. Andy shares his perspective on whether there is really a skills gap or are we approaching this problem the wrong way?
0:57 – Intro
2:19 – Bio
3:12 – Andy’s personality that puts him in unique situations to win awards
4:29 – What other kind of things Andy experienced hacking in besides macro things
5:57 – The number one hack Andy did that spanned for a decade in his career
7:13 – Was Andy originally hired to do security for companies?
8:29 – Why Andy says there is no talent shortage
12:11 – If everyone started to go into security engineering team, would there be a gap to fill roles?
13:09 – Where did CISOS, managers, and recruiters go wrong in looking for security professionals?
19:55 – Andy’s number one tenet for leadership
22:42 –Andy’s philosophies on keeping the talent after investing on training programs, and having skills that can be used on other areas
24:49 – In what ways Andy is passing down knowledge
27:14 – Advice on the leadership journey that Andy gives to listeners
28::10 – Best ways to keep up with Andy
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris | Website
Follow Andy Ellis Twitter | LinkedIn
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
Visit our sponsor Panther Labs

Aug 26, 2021 • 33min
Episode 165 - Living Your Values with Dean Sysman
On this episode, Hacker Valley Studio has a very big announcement! Hosts Ron and Chris interview guest Dean Sysman, CEO and co-founder of Axonius.
The values, and founder story of Dean are shared as Ron and Chris ask him very interesting questions. Dean started his journey years ago with a passion on how technology could impact the world. He has also brought many values to Axonius, helping people through growth to become a better version of themselves.
Dean shares how he figured that the determining factor of success was realizing the problem that the organization needs to solve, and focusing on the customer’s experience.
0:21 – Intro
1:53 – Bio
3:24 – Ron and Chris talk about their role in Axonius and Dean Sysman shares the value he saw in them
7:26 – Dean’s founder story in Axonius
13:01 – The values that Dean has brought to Axonius and people’s lives
16:42 – Dean’s turning point where he could no longer go back from where he was
23:31 – Why Dean wants Ron and Chris to be the voice of Axonius
26:01 – Who are Dean’s inspiration for growth?
29:38 – What advice does Dean have to those that are looking for growth?
31:42 – How to stay up-to-date with Dean and all the great things at Axonius
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris | Website
Dean Sysman: Axonius Website | E-mail
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon

Aug 24, 2021 • 29min
Episode 164 - Demystifying Product Innovation with Erik Goldman
Hosts Ron and Chris interview guest Erik Goldman, VP of Product at Panther Labs, a software engineer, expert in product and an entrepreneur.
Erik is great at asking questions, that is one of his superpowers. One of his strategies to build a product is to sit down with customers, ask them what they want him to do, deeply understand their persona, and gather data.
Erik builds his thesis for success, and knows how to distinguish a good company from a great company by analyzing which one has a philosophy that goes beyond the software.
Erik offers advice for listeners on how to operate better on their company.
1:03 - Intro
2:37 – Bio
6:18 – The difference between building a product and building a business
7:18 – What are Erik’s strengths based on his past experiences
9:20 – How Erik stays away from tinkering with the code, and more of the technical aspects
11:48 – Erik’s power of understanding the concepts by asking questions
13:19 – The difference between a good company and a great company
15:20 – What Erik thinks about the future of technology and the cyber security of the future
19:30 – Erik’s thoughts about automating security operation
26:07 – Erik’s advice for listeners to operate better in their company’s environment
27:50 – How to stay up to date with Panther Labs.
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris | Website
Erik Goldman: Panther Website
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
Visit our sponsor Panther Labs

Aug 17, 2021 • 25min
Episode 163 - A Blueprint for Learning Cyber with Keith Wilson
Hosts Ron and Chris interview guest Keith Wilson, director of cyber security education at Attack IQ Academy. Keith is the perfect example on how to take years of experience in engineering and analysis, and turn it into something that is impactful for all people. Keith has created educational content for people in the industry and different types of learners. His trajectory is filled with success stories, and also invites people who want to get into cyber security.
1:11 - Intro
3:03 – Bio
6:13 – How Keith’s fascination with education started
9:09 – Blueprint for education: concepts, the structure of classes, and activities
12:33 – The approach to different types of learners
15:21 – Discussion about students who want to get into cyber security or transition into another aspect of it
16:51 – Keith’s creative process for building new content and sharing information
20:51 – Success story of when education is done right
22:41 – Advice to listeners about putting out educational content
24:16 – How to stay up to date with Keith and Attack Academy IQ
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris | Website
Keith C. Wilson: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Attack IQ Academy
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
Visit our friends and sponsor Panther Labs.

Aug 10, 2021 • 42min
Episode 162 - Security in Space with Frank Pound
What do you call cyberspace in space? What is the evolution of cyber security in space?
The expert Frank Pound, computer scientist, entrepreneur, founder and president of Astro Sec is the guest to clarify all things related to cyberspace. Space traffic control is discussed. Frank advised the Air Force, Space Force, and their contractors to help build the Hack-A-Sat competition which attracted teams from around the world to demonstrate their prowess in this blended space and cyber competition challenging them in everything from orbital dynamics to radio communications.
1:00 – Intro
2:10 – Bio Frank Pound
11:10 - Frank Pound talks about the democratization of technology
12:03 – The explosion of IOTs on the market, sensors, and rapid advancements on space launch
12:54 – The open-source hardware movement
18:04 – General excitement about space in 2019 and investment in safety
20:56 – Potential for a cascading effect making space travel impossible
23:37 – Frank Pound talks about safety measures
24:50 – A summary of Hack-A-Sat’s latest works
27:22 – Alternatives to cyber security and safety in space
37:00 – Frank answers the question on how to do missions in space
40:16 – How to find out more about Frank Pound and Hack-A-Sat’s competition, interviews and resources
Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris | Website
Frank Pound: Twitter | Website
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon
Visit our friends and sponsor Panther Labs

Aug 8, 2021 • 18min
QuickQ: What is Social Networking? Hacker Summer Camp FOMO
In this episode of Hacker Valley, Chris and Ron tackle a quick question. The question of the day is, “what is social networking?” Together they discuss different aspects of social media and how it facilitates connections and careers.
Ron’s perspective is that social networking empowers folks to find like minded people, learn new things, self advocate and learn about others. Chris shares how social networking on LinkedIn put him in a position to build a community in cybersecurity.
Timecodes
01:53 - The difference between networking and social networking and polishing profiles.
04:00 - How Ron engages with social networking mindfully.
06:30 - How LinkedIn helped Chris and Ron find their community.
08:46 - How social networks can elevate cybersecurity practitioners, researchers and businesses.
10:00 - Threat intelligence, open source intelligence and finding family on social networks
13:00 - Perspectives on the future of social networks and digital interaction.
15:45 - Making the most of social networks
Links Hacker Valley Studio: Swag | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Email Ron & Chris |
Website Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon.
Join our monthly mastermind group via Patreon


