Social Engineering Psychology - Ep 60 - Boris Goncharov, AMATAS & Plainsea

In Episode 60 of the Cybersecurity Matters Podcast, we sit down with Boris Goncharov, Chief Strategy Officer at Plainsea and Co-Founder of AMATAS. With over 20 years of experience in information security, Boris brings a refreshingly unconventional perspective to cybersecurity, shaped by his background in fine art and philosophy.Boris shares his fascinating journey from aspiring painter to cybersecurity leader, revealing how his early experiences with gaming sparked an interest in understanding how systems work and can be manipulated. He discusses how creative thinking and artistic perspectives enhance security problem-solving, offering unique insights that challenge traditional approaches to the field.Key Topics Covered:From fine art and philosophy to cybersecurity leadershipHow gaming influenced security mindset and hacking curiosityThe psychology behind social engineering attacksAI deepfakes transforming the cyber threat landscapeBalancing security paranoia with business enablementWhy the human factor remains the biggest vulnerabilityFoundational security practices that still work todayThe exhausting reality of constant learning in cybersecurityCareer advice: stubbornness, discipline, and sacrifice requiredChapters: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:16 Boris' Unconventional Path to Cybersecurity07:11 The Role of Creativity in Cybersecurity12:59 Challenges and Insights in Building Cybersecurity Teams25:29 Leadership Realizations and Communication30:13 The Evolution of Cybersecurity32:51 Complexity and Security Challenges38:43 Practical Cybersecurity AdviceAbout Boris Goncharov: Boris Goncharov is Chief Strategy Officer at Plainsea and Co-Founder of AMATAS, with over 20 years of experience in information security. His expertise spans information security strategy and management, cloud security, social engineering, penetration testing, and physical security. Boris has led enterprise-wide security programs across diverse industries and is an experienced instructor, having taught official CEH, ECIH, and CISSP courses since 2010. He is a frequent speaker at international security conferences.About Plainsea: Plainsea provides strategic cybersecurity solutions helping organisations navigate complex security challenges and build resilient defences against evolving threats.About AMATAS: AMATAS is redefining how businesses protect themselves against emerging threats through innovative security approaches and strategic consulting.The Cybersecurity Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies.