From Submarines to Cybersecurity: Chris Adkins’ Wild Journey Into Cyber Defense

What do submarines, Linux servers, Apple X Servers, and SOC analysts all have in common? They were all part of Chris Adkins’ path into cybersecurity. In this episode of Legitimate Cybersecurity, Frank and Dustin dive deep with Chris as he shares his unique journey from being a sonar technician in the U.S. Navy to breaking into cyber through a SOC—and eventually advising top companies through breaches and building cyber programs. We cover: How non-traditional paths (like the Navy) can launch cyber careers The evolution of SOC life and tools (FireEye, ArcSight, Palo Alto, CrowdStrike, etc.) The AI security paradox: why AI will cause more breaches, not fewer Why leadership culture determines breach resilience The controversial new “Letters of Marque” bill that could legalize U.S. cyber privateers This episode is packed with career lessons, insider war stories, and the kind of weird/funny hypotheticals that only Legitimate Cybersecurity delivers. ⏱️ Chapter Breaks 00:00 – Intro & Chris’ non-traditional entry into cyber 01:20 – Life on submarines & discovering IT underwater 04:20 – From BackTrack to BP: finding cybersecurity as a career 07:00 – SOC life at BP: Panama shifts, POCs, and new tools 10:40 – FireEye, EDR, and the evolution of detection tech 13:50 – Why AI may actually increase breaches 16:30 – Career changers & why it’s hard to “get into cyber” 20:00 – The problem with cybersecurity education & perception 27:30 – The “Letter of Marque” bill: cyber privateers?! 38:40 – Post-breach consulting: calming chaos & fixing culture 44:20 – Bias, assumptions, and the hidden root of breaches 50:00 – If SOCs ran on ChatGPT: complaints & HR problems 52:40 – Funniest phishing excuses & cyber training fails 59:40 – Leadership, culture, and why CEOs define cyber success 1:03:30 – Wrap up & Chris’ future return #Cybersecurity #Hacking #AI #SOC #CyberCareers #LegitimateCybersecurity #NavyToCyber #Infosec