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The Cyber Rants Podcast

Bringing you cybersecurity insider tips, guidance, news, and rants!

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Episode 130: Securing the Keys to the Kingdom - Privileged Account Protection

This week, we're focusing on the cybersecurity risks tied to privileged accounts — the high-level access that IT professionals and admins hold. From major breaches at Marriott and Uber to lesser-known takedowns through personal Gmail accounts, attackers are targeting the people with the most access. We cover why multi-factor authentication (MFA) is non-negotiable for these accounts, the importance of bifurcated access, and why knowing every admin account in your ecosystem is step one. If you're managing systems, data, or SAAS platforms, this episode is a wake-up call to lock down your digital kingdom.

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Episode 129 - Financial Professional Security Awareness Training

Let's face it, cyber criminals are trying to find the fastest route to the money. That route often involves directly targeting finance professionals. In this episode, the guys provide security awareness training in an unconventional, fireside chat format. You can use this material to help your organization's financial professionals learn how to stop cyber criminals through proactive awareness of social engineering tactics and other tactics. 

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Episode 128 - Executive Cybersecurity Awareness Training

This week, we're launching a brand-new series of free cybersecurity training content designed to empower executive leaders and high-profile individuals. In this special training episode, the guys dive into the critical threats targeting executives and decision-makers—covering key tactics, real-world risks, and essential strategies to protect both personal and organizational security.

This episode is built for action. Use it as a ready-made cybersecurity awareness training module for your leadership team to strengthen their defenses against cyber threats. Don’t wait—equip yourself and your executives with the knowledge to stay ahead of evolving risks.

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Episode 127 - The Hidden Risks Within: CIA Lessons on Insider Threats

 

Former CIA officer Michele Assad joins the Cyber Rants Podcast to reveal the hidden dangers of insider threats, from Nation-State recruitment to false flag operations, and why businesses can’t afford to ignore them. Michele shares actionable strategies to recognize, prevent, and respond to these risks while highlighting the power of resilience and mental toughness. She also introduces her upcoming book, Get Off The X, offering tools to overcome challenges and thrive under pressure. Don't miss this insightful episode packed with expertise and practical advice!

More about Michelle Assad and "Get Off The X" - https://michelerigbyassad.com

Michelle Assad on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-rigby-assad-b25695135/

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Episode 126: Eric O'Neill on Espionage, Insider Threats, and Cybersecurity's Future

This week, Lauro and Zach are joined by Eric O'Neill, a former FBI agent who brought down Robert Hanssen, the most notorious and damaging spy in United States history. Eric recounts his role in one of the FBI's most significant spy takedowns and dives deep into the world of espionage and counter-espionage. He sheds light on the realities of insider threats lurking within the United States and shares actionable insights into defending against modern cyber risks. Tune in for a compelling discussion on the intersection of national security and cybersecurity resilience.

Eric O'Neill's Website: https://ericoneill.net
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Episode 125 - End of Year Cyber Hustle

Let's face it, the end of the year can be stressful as tech teams push to get security and compliance efforts done. Zach and Lauro have seen it all, with people scurrying to meet their company's annual requirements. They discuss the top challenges they see, how to overcome them, and how to get the best proposals from your vendors for next year.

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Episode #124 - Urgent Release - Major Two Factor Authentication Vulnerability Discovered

In this urgent episode, the Cyber Rants crew welcomes Silent Sector’s Principal Cybersecurity Architect, Brian Contario, to discuss his game-changing discovery of a critical vulnerability in the Two-Factor Authentication Enrollment Process. This vulnerability has the potential to impact hundreds of millions of accounts globally and poses a serious threat to IT infrastructures everywhere. Brian and the team break down why this finding is not just another CVE but a pivotal moment that will require swift action from software vendors to update their 2FA Enrollment Process. Tune in to learn what steps IT professionals must take now to protect their organizations from a new wave of attacks and where you can find additional resources, including the IETF Request For Comments Draft. This is a must-listen episode for anyone serious about safeguarding their systems!

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Episode #123 - Data-Centric Security: The Future of Cyber Defense

Lauro and Zach welcome Denzil Wessels, Founder & CEO of Dymium, to explore groundbreaking innovations in database security. Denzil introduces Dymium's cutting-edge "Ghost layer" approach, which emphasizes securing data itself rather than just the network, offering granular control and preventing the need for data duplication. This episode highlights how Dymium's unique focus on protecting specific data sets them apart in the cybersecurity landscape. Additionally, Denzil shares insights into Dymium's other capabilities, designed to help organizations safely leverage AI platforms like ChatGPT and more. Tune in to discover a fresh perspective on safeguarding your one of your organization's most valuable assets—its data.
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Episode #122 - Prevent SAAS Data Leakage & Shadow IT

In this episode of the Cyber Rants Podcast, Zach and Lauro are joined by Yasir Ali, CEO of Polymer, to dive deep into the critical issue of data leakage and shadow IT in today's SaaS-driven business environment. As companies rely on a multitude of software platforms, employees often create unauthorized accounts on new tools, posing significant security risks. Yasir shares his expert insights on identifying and mitigating these threats, offering actionable strategies to secure your operations against improper and unauthorized SaaS usage. Tune in to learn how to safeguard your organization's data in a complex, ever-evolving digital landscape.

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Episode 121 - Mastering the Art of Social Engineering with Chris Hadnagy

In this episode of the Cyber Rants Podcast, we sit down with Chris Hadnagy, a prominent speaker at RSA, Black Hat, and DefCon's SE Capture the Flag events. Chris is the author of four influential books, including "Social Engineering: The Art of Human Hacking" and "Human Hacking: Win Friends, Influence People, and Leave Them Better Off for Having Met You." He is also the founder of the Innocent Lives Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting the sexual abuse of children, and the CEO of Social-Engineer, LLC.

Join us as we delve into Chris's extensive background in social engineering across corporate, government, and military sectors. Learn why social engineering is so effective and the kind of damage it can cause, along with the most common and sophisticated techniques used by cybercriminals today. Chris also shares the best strategies for protecting companies from malicious social engineering and discusses innovative personal security tips, such as human-based MFA and unique code words for family safety.
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