GIAC Certifications: Trust Me I'm Certified

As a kid, Jose Barrientos was continually innovating and learning complex computer skills – and also playing pranks. Yet it wasn't until he joined the military after high school that instead of getting in trouble, his technical abilities were finally recognized as an impressive asset. Thanks to his determination to break in to infosec, Jose is now a successful red teamer at a top organization. In this episode, Jose and Jason discuss the challenges of breaking through childhood barriers, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the importance of never giving up.

For someone who wrote her first computer program at age 4, Jessica Hyde's journey into infosec took a more winding route than you'd expect. After dropping out of high school, she worked in retail management until 9/11, when she realized she had to do something that made a difference in the world. Since joining the Marines, she's become a Master's-level expert in digital forensics. In this episode, she and Jason discuss how varied backgrounds and experiences enrich an enterprise, the importance of helping others, and that putting your mind to something allows you to achieve anything.

Jason and Jacquelyn Blanchard complement each other not only as husband and wife, but through the combination of their unique skill sets. They bring together their talents - Jason as a marketer, and Jacque as an infosec professional - in a twice-weekly livestream to help the community find jobs, an especially important mission in today's market. In this episode, they talk with host Jason Nickola about the steps you need to take to find the right job, the importance of courage and pushing through imposter syndrome, and how to continually maintain your resume and network whether you're job hunting or not.

Though Ed Skoudis knew he was a tinkerer since playing with Legos during childhood, his younger self could never have envisioned the expansive career he now has. In this episode, Ed shares advice gleaned from years of creating challenges, building teams, and writing and teaching SANS courses. He and Jason discuss why CTFs are essential skill-building tools at any career level, how to overcome self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and why you should never let fear stop you from starting.

Despite being a GSE-certified cybersecurity expert, Chris Sanders is up front about the fact that infosec is not his true passion. In this episode, Sanders describes how diving deep into the world of computers and cybersecurity led him to his ultimate passion - teaching and helping others - and how continuing to pursue the infosec path allows him to fulfill career goals he may not otherwise have met. He also discusses how his upbringing has shaped his career path and guided him to give back to aspiring cybersecurity professionals.

In part 2 of this special 2-part episode, top cyber defense practitioner O'Shea Bowens joins our host Jason to continue their discussion about strategically building a career in infosec. They discuss key factors in determining the value of training and choosing the right training course for your desired career path, along with how to leverage certifications with your employer. They also discuss the necessary skills for moving into senior roles at work, and how effective communication plays a critical role in every situation.

From his first "hack" (getting unlimited ammo on Oregon Trail) at age 12, O'Shea Bowens knew he liked working with computers. Despite studying a completely different field in college, he has built a successful career in cybersecurity. In this episode, he and Jason walk through his strategic path not just into infosec, but into progressively higher-level roles. They discuss the importance of effective communication, taking notes, and how determination can make a significant difference in getting the job you want - and succeeding once you get there.

Once known for wrestling a bear, Phillip Wylie is now a leading penetration tester and mentor to many. In this episode, he tells our host, Jason Nickola, the story of his unlikely path to cybersecurity and how it's become a career he "lives and breathes." He offers advice on how to become a mentor to others trying to build their career, as well as ways to overcome common fears like public speaking. Phillip and Jason also discuss the importance of sharing knowledge through teaching and community participation to increase confidence and learn new skills.

As a self-taught programmer since elementary school, Chris Elgee is no stranger to learning by trial and error. Now a challenge developer and penetration tester, he shares advice on how to build a career you're passionate about. In this episode, Elgee discusses the importance of creating a strong network, both in local communities and throughout the industry, as well as the critical role of education and certifications in developing skills. He also stresses the importance of pursuing your passions in a playful way by building challenges and completing CTFs.

Though many know him as the author of SANS course SEC487: OSINT Gathering and Analysis, Micah Hoffman didn’t set out to become a cybersecurity expert. In this episode, Jason and Micah discuss how his early career changes played a role in his experience of imposter syndrome as a cybersecurity practitioner, but also ultimately set him up for success. He also touches on the importance of being open to unexpected opportunities that together add up to a fulfilling career. They discuss the importance of sharing resources and building community, and share a sneak peek at the newest GIAC cert – GOSI, GIAC Open Source Intelligence.

Chris Cochran's interest in technology began early - from watching Terminator as a child to studying computer science after hours in high school. In this episode, he shares how his experiences in the Marine Corps and working in government and the private sector have helped him not only build a successful career in cybersecurity, but also confidence in himself by viewing work and life as practice for critical situations. Cochran also touches on the importance of communication, openness, and being a model for others, and why it's essential to never give up on your goals.

Lesley Carhart, principal threat analyst at a leading cybersecurity company, was brought up on a farm with an "old-school hacker" (her dad). She shares how her experiences as a high school coder and military avionics technician ultimately led her to a successful cyber security career. Despite all her success, like most of us Carhart is no stranger to imposter syndrome. She discusses the barriers she's faced to being perceived as an equal and the steps individuals can take, including training and certification, towards trying to overcome imposter syndrome in the workplace.

Meet your host, Jason Nickola, a leading cyber security practitioner who also happens to be GSE certified and a SANS SEC560 instructor. We’ll also discuss the focus of our podcast – overcoming impostor syndrome – and the format of each episode, featuring distinguished guests, along with practical tips for combating feelings of not belonging in the workplace.