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PODCAST · technology

Project Cyber Ready

by Tony Bryan

What is Project Cyber Ready? We are on a national mission to build the ultimate, replicable blueprint for cyber readiness. By researching what is actually working across the country and sharing those stories, we are piecing together the master plan to figure out exactly what is needed to solve this problem once and for all. We don’t have a technology problem; we have a readiness problem. Over the last decade, billions of dollars have been invested in the cybersecurity landscape. We built the labs, designed the ranges, launched the certifications, and bought the software. We already have the tools we need to protect our digital world. But we still have a massive gap. The breakdown isn't our tools; it is how we operate. It’s how we hire, how we use our existing infrastructure, and how we educate our communities. That is the driving force behind the Project Cyber Ready podcast.

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Episodes

  1. Part 3: The “Last Mile” Problem – With Jeff Welgan

    What happens when earning a cybersecurity credential isn’t enough to prove you can do the job? In this episode of Project Cyber Ready, I’m continuing our four-part series by sitting down with Jeff Welgan, CEO of SkillRex, to explore the “last mile”—the gap between earning credentials and...

  2. Part 2: The Supply Gap: Why the Talent Pipeline Is About to Shrink — With Will Markow

    What happens when the cybersecurity talent pipeline itself starts to shrink? In this episode of Project Cyber Ready, I’m continuing our four-part series by sitting down with Will Markow, founder of FourOne Insights and the developer behind CyberSeek, to take a closer look at the data behind the...

  3. Part 1: The Broken Handoff: When “Job-Ready” Gets Lost in Translation

    What happens when “job-ready” means different things to educators and employers? In this episode of Project Cyber Ready, I’m kicking off a four-part series exploring one of the biggest challenges I see in the cybersecurity workforce: the broken handoff between training and hiring. We have a…

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  4. From LevelUp Cyber to Project Cyber Ready: The Mission Expands

    Welcome back! If you noticed a new title and artwork in your podcast feed today, you are in the right place. We are officially evolving from LevelUp Cyber to Project Cyber Ready.Over the past year, Executive Director Tony Bryan and the CyberUp team have been doing deep work on the…

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  5. Ep 118: A Dive into Multi-Factor Authentication with Sairam Durgaraju

    Join host Tony Bryan, Executive Director of CyberUp, as he sits down with cybersecurity expert Sairam Durgaraju for an in-depth discussion on Multi-Factor Authentication. In this episode, they'll dive deep into the importance of MFA, explore its various methods, and uncover how this essential...

  6. Ep 117: LinkedIn Best Practices with Jessica Cassidy

    Join host Tony Bryan, Executive Director of CyberUp, and special guest Jessica Cassidy, OPCyberTalent Practice Lead, as they discuss LinkedIn Best Practices and their intersection with cybersecurity careers. Discover tips to enhance your profile, build meaningful connections, and position…

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  7. Ep 116: Ask a CISO with Steve Zalewski

    Join host Tony Bryan, Executive Director of CyberUp, as he welcomes Steve Zalewski, Cybersecurity Advisor at S3 Consulting and former Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Levi Strauss & Co., for an exciting episode. Get an exclusive peek into the world of a CISO as Steve shares how to...

  8. Ep 115: The Non-Technical Side of Cyber with Susan Klement

    Get ready for an exciting and insightful episode of the LevelUp Cyber show! Join host Tony Bryan, Executive Director of CyberUp, as he sits down with Special Guest Susan Klement, CISSP, PMP, Cybersecurity Lead at AT&T, for an engaging conversation titled: "The Non-Technical Side of Cyber"…

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  9. Ep 114: Top 5 Cybersecurity Best Practices with James Bierly

    In this special episode, host Tony Bryan sits down with cybersecurity expert James Bierly to discuss the top 5 best practices every organization needs to adopt to stay secure in today's digital landscape. From proactive threat detection to strengthening data protection, Tony and James break down...

  10. Ep 113: Trucker to Senior Cyber Leader with Travis Nichols

    Get ready for an exciting episode of The LevelUp Cyber Show featuring Tony Bryan, Executive Director of CyberUp, and special guest Travis Nichols, Director of Information Security at Shelter Insurance! Join us as we dive into Travis Nichols' inspiring journey, from his early days as a trucker to...

  11. Ep 112: Understanding Security Awareness with Tom Kirkham

    Did You Miss My LinkedIn Live on Cybersecurity Awareness? Catch the Replay! I had the pleasure of sitting down with Tom Kirkham, Founder and CEO of Kirkham IronTech, for an incredible LinkedIn Live discussion on the fundamentals of cybersecurity awareness. Together, we broke down the essential...

  12. Ep 111: How to Build a Home Cyber Lab with Nimish Datta

    Get ready for an exciting new episode of the LevelUp Cyber Show with special guest Nimish Datta, Cybersecurity Instructor, and host Tony Bryan, Executive Director of CyberUp, as they uncover the secrets of "How to Build Your Own Cyber Lab!" Join Nimish as he walks us through the process of…

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  13. Ep 110: Empowering K-12 for a Digital Future with Mark Robuck

    Join us for an insightful conversation as Tony Bryan, Executive Director of CyberUp, welcomes Mark Robuck, a computer science teacher from Maryland, to discuss how we can better prepare K-12 students for future careers in cybersecurity. Mark will dive deep into the tools, techniques, and...

  14. Ep 109: Cybersecurity Research 101 with Malav Vyas

    Join us for an exciting episode of LevelUp Cyber with special guest Malav Vyas from Palo Alto Networks and host Tony Bryan as they explore the pivotal role of cybersecurity research in defending against breaches and hacks. Cybersecurity research goes beyond just understanding known threats—it...

  15. Ep 108: Stacking Credentials to Break into Cybersecurity with Dennis Kraft

    Join us for an insightful LevelUp Cyber show with host Tony Bryan and special guest Dennis Kraft, CEO of Cyberkraft! We’ll be diving deep into the importance of **stacked credentials** in breaking into a cybersecurity career. In today's competitive job market, having the right mix of skills and...

  16. Ep 107: Breaking Into Cyber...The International Perspective with Gitesh Tripathi

    Check out the latest episode of LevelUp Cyber where I sit down with Gitesh Tripathi, a recent college graduate who’s already making waves in the cybersecurity world. Gitesh’s journey into cybersecurity is unique and inspiring—especially considering his international background, which adds a…

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  17. Ep 106: What is Managed Security Services with Scott McCrady

    We are thrilled to announce that Scott McCrady, a renowned expert in the industry, will be our special guest on an upcoming LevelUp Cyber show! Scott will be diving deep into the topic: "What is Managed Security Services?" Join us to gain invaluable insights on how managed security services can...

  18. Ep 105: Mentorship & Cybersecurity with Jennifer Cox

    Join us for an exciting live episode of CyberUp, where we dive deep into the crucial role of mentorship in the cybersecurity industry. Our special guest, Jennifer Cox, a seasoned cybersecurity professional and advocate for empowering the next generation of cyber experts, will share her insights…

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  19. Ep 104: API Security 101 with Jeremy Snyder

    This week, Tony Bryan, Executive Director of CyberUp, sat down with a true cybersecurity trailblazer—Jeremy Snyder, CEO and Founder of FireTail! We talked about the critical role of API security in today's digital world. Did you know that APIs are the backbone of modern digital ecosystems? In…

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  20. Ep 103: How to Start Skills Based Hiring with Helen Patton

    We had an incredible discussion on the latest LevelUp Cyber show with Helen Patton, CISO Advisor at Cisco! We dove deep into the world of **skills-based hiring** and explored how this approach is reshaping the talent landscape. Helen shared invaluable insights from her experience at Cisco,...

  21. Ep 102: Hacking Your Cyber Career with Reanna Schultz

    Join us for an insightful LevelUp Cyber session hosted by Tony Bryan, Executive Director of CyberUp, featuring special guest Reanna Schultz, SOC Team Lead at Garmin. Are you looking to break into the cybersecurity field? Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from industry experts about how to…

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  22. Ep 101: Cybersecurity eSports 101 with Jessica Gulick

    Join Us for an Exciting Episode of LevelUp Cyber! Hosted by: Tony Bryan, Executive Director of CyberUp Special Guest: Jessica Gulick, CEO of KATZCY --- Are you ready to dive into the dynamic world of cybersecurity esports? Join us for an engaging LevelUp Cyber where Tony Bryan, Executive Director...

  23. Ep 100: LevelUp Cyber w/Burton Kelso - Crowdstrike...now what?

    Join Us for our 100th episode of LevelUp Cyber! Host: Tony Bryan Special Guest: Burton Kelso, The Technology Expert Dive deep into the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity with us! This session will cover: The Cybersecurity Sector: Explore current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the...

  24. Ep 99: Imposter Syndrome In Cybersecurity with Kary Cameron

    Join us for this episode of LevelUp Cyber, hosted by Tony Bryan, where we delve into the challenges and triumphs of the cybersecurity world. In this episode, Tony welcomes special guest Kary Cameron to discuss the pervasive issue of imposter syndrome in cybersecurity. Together, they will share...

  25. Ep 98: Soft Skills & How to Get them with Scott Hudson

    In this insightful episode of LevelUp Cyber, host Tony Bryan welcomes special guest Scott Hudson from Mercy to discuss an often-overlooked aspect of technology careers: the importance of soft skills. While technical proficiency is crucial in the cyber world, communicating effectively, working…

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  26. Ep 97: Role of MSPs in Small Business with Chris Miller

    Join us for an insightful LinkedIn Live session featuring Chris Miller from ATB Technologies, a leading expert in Managed Service Providers (MSPs). In this episode, we will delve into the pivotal role MSPs play in empowering small businesses to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Chris will...

  27. Ep 96: Cyber Marketing that Works with Alexandra Matthiesen

    This time, we had the pleasure of hosting Alexandra Matthiesen, a seasoned expert in both marketing and cybersecurity. Dive into the conversation as we explore the critical role of *good marketing* in the realm of cybersecurity. From building trust to communicating complex tech concepts…

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  28. Ep 95: Flightline to Cybersecurity with Niaha Dyson

    Join us for an electrifying episode of LevelUp Cyber with our special guest Niaha Dyson, CyberUp apprentice. In this episode, we dive deep into Niaha's remarkable journey, tracing her path from the United States Air Force flight lines to becoming a powerhouse cybersecurity analyst. Discover how...

  29. Ep 94: Cons, Competitions, & Community with Ben Miller

    Ready to LevelUp your cybersecurity game? Join us for an electrifying episode of LevelUp Cyber, featuring none other than Benjamin Miller In this episode, Benjamin Miller dives deep into the dynamic world of cybersecurity, highlighting the pivotal roles of cons, competitions, and community. From...

  30. Ep 93: Small Business 101 with Mike Crandall

    Don't let cyber threats take your small business down! Join us for a riveting session on LevelUp Cyber, where we're diving deep into the realm of cybersecurity with none other than Mike Crandall, CEO of Digital Beachhead® Inc. In today's digital age, safeguarding your business against…

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  31. Ep 92: Skills-Based Hiring 101 with Tony Bryan

    Join us for an insightful LinkedIn Live session featuring Tony Bryan, Executive Director of CyberUp. In this discussion, Tony will delve into the critical topic of skills-based hiring best practices, shedding light on innovative strategies to empower both job seekers and employers in the...

  32. Ep 91: A Hard Career Journey with Laura Ohanian

    In a digital world where security breaches and cyber threats loom large, the role of cybersecurity professionals is more crucial than ever. In this gripping podcast episode, we delve into the unique perspective of Otis Osborn, an Air Force veteran turned cybersecurity pro. Through his stories and...

  33. EP 90: Is There a Cybersecurity Skills Gap with Dominic Vogel

    Dive into the World of Cybersecurity with Dominic Vogel! Are you ready to unlock the secrets behind the Cybersecurity Skills Gap? Join us for an exclusive online show featuring renowned cybersecurity expert Dominic Vogel! Dominic Vogel will unravel the mysteries surrounding the Cybersecurity…

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  34. EP 89: Veteran to Cybersecurity with Otis Osborn

    In a digital world where security breaches and cyber threats loom large, the role of cybersecurity professionals is more crucial than ever. In this gripping podcast episode, we delve into the unique perspective of Otis Osborn, an Air Force veteran turned cybersecurity pro. Through his stories and...

  35. Ep 88: LevelUp Cyber - Why Diversity Matters in Cyber w/Joshua Copeland

    Join us for an insightful discussion on why diversity matters in cybersecurity roles with Joshua Copeland, Director of Enterprise Security with Bose Corporation! Have you ever wondered why diversity is crucial in the cybersecurity sector? Curious about the tangible benefits it brings to your...

  36. Ep 87: LevelUp Cyber - Skills that Pay the Bills with Rachel Skillman

    Featured Guest: Rachael Skillman - Cybersecurity Expert Unlock Your Cybersecurity Career Potential! Are you interested in a career in cybersecurity? Do you want to know how to protect small businesses from cyber threats? Join us for an engaging LinkedIn Live discussion with cybersecurity expert...

  37. Ep 86: LevelUp Cyber - HR's Role in Cyber Hiring with Allison McCutcheon Barcz

    Elevate Your Career: Join our LinkedIn Live session for an enlightening conversation with talent acquisition expert, Allison McCutcheon Barcz! Embark on a transformative journey with Allison McCutcheon Barcz with Largely as she shares invaluable insights into how cybersecurity professionals can...

  38. Ep 85: LevelUp Cyber - Cyber in Higher Ed with Zach Lewis

    Join us for a dynamic conversation with cybersecurity expert, Zach Lewis! In this exclusive session, we'll dive into the critical intersection of cybersecurity practices and higher education institutions. Zach Lewis, a seasoned professional in the cybersecurity field, will share his insights on…

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  39. Ep 84: LevelUp Cyber - Construction to Cyber with Maduabuchi Nwankwo

    Have you ever wondered what apprenticeships are all about? Be sure to check out this week's episode of LevelUp Cyber. This week's guest, Maduabuchi Nwankwo, is halfway through his current CyberUp apprenticeship with Edward Jones. Since becoming a full-time employee at Edward Jones, Maduabuchi has...

  40. Ep 83: LevelUp Cyber - The Importance of Conferences with Drew Todd

    Cybersecurity and technology conferences come in all shapes and sizes. Some of them like RSA are massive and bring people together from all over the world and others are hyper-local and focused. Both are great ways to learn and grow in your career and network with others. Join us on February 27th...

  41. Ep 82: LevelUp Cyber - Richard Bajtlich Approved with Kristi Cook

    Career journeys come in all shapes and sizes. There isn't a straight line from skill to career and there isn't a playbook to show you how to get to the top. Join us on February 20th for a conversation with special guest, Kristi Cook, Senior Manager of Global Security at Peabody Energy to learn...

  42. Ep 81: The Cyber Road Less Traveled with Sara Flores

    The journey to obtaining an entry-level cybersecurity career can be daunting. The media tells you that there are jobs for days but the reality is you are not seeing results when you apply. Join us on February 13th with our special guest, Sara Flores, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer with...

  43. Ep 80: From CTFs to the SOC with Brad Wolfenden

    Competitions and capture the flag events are some of the best ways for individuals to build cybersecurity skills. There are lots of options available to choose from like Hack the Box, CTF Time, and lots of local events. Join us with special guest, Bradley Wolfenden, Director of Cyber Sports with...

  44. Ep 79: SOC 101 with Mark Manglicmot

    In this episode of LevelUp Cyber, we will delve into the dynamic world of Security Operations Center (SOC) jobs. Join us and special guest, Mark Manglicmot, Senior Vice President of Security Services at Arctic Wolf on a journey through the digital realm as we explore the challenges, triumphs, and...

  45. Ep 78: Chef to Cybersecurity with Cam Razavi

    For over 25 years Camron Razavi ran kitchens and set up restaurants but during COVID he decided it was time to make a change. Tune in to learn more about Cam's journey from chef to cybersecurity. Together, we will talk about: - skill paths to get trained - ways to network - advice on ways to…

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  46. Ep 77: CyberUp in 2024 with Tony Bryan

    CyberUp is only weeks into 2024! This affords a fantastic time for a quick update on everything CyberUp. In this episode, we will cover the following: - Summarize 2023 and all of our wins and losses. - Talk about the recent strategic plan that we completed and approved. - Review 2024 and the…

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  47. Ep 76: From Apprentice to CISO with Craig Barber

    Apprenticeships have gained popularity and momentum around the world but have remained an incredible way for people in the UK to gain high-paying careers. Join us this week with special guest, Craig Barber, CISO with SugarCRM to learn about his journey that started as an apprentice overseas and...

  48. Ep 75: MGM & Caesars Deep Dive with Shaun St. Hill

    Cyber-attacks continue to be on the rise. Hackers are becoming more creative in their attacks, making them difficult to protect against. In the past month, a significant ransomware attack happened to MGM and Caesars resulting in millions of dollars in ransoms paid. Join our guest Shaun St.Hill…

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  49. Ep 74: ISACA State of Cyber report with Jon Brandt

    Join us for this week's episode of LevelUp Cyber Live! Our guest, Jon Brandt, CISM, CDPSE, CCISO, CISSP, PMP, Director of Professional Practices and Innovation, shares insights and information from the recently released State of Cybersecurity Report produced by ISACA.

  50. Ep 73: Build, Buy, or Borrow Talent with Tony Bryan

    Over the past several months the economy has started to slow down and companies are looking at ways to reduce costs. This has resulted in layoffs, furloughs, and large reductions in force by corporations. Now more than ever it is essential for companies to evaluate their talent strategy and build...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

What is Project Cyber Ready? We are on a national mission to build the ultimate, replicable blueprint for cyber readiness. By researching what is actually working across the country and sharing those stories, we are piecing together the master plan to figure out exactly what is needed to solve this problem once and for all.

We don’t have a technology problem; we have a readiness problem.

Over the last decade, billions of dollars have been invested in the cybersecurity landscape. We built the labs, designed the ranges, launched the certifications, and bought the software. We already have the tools we need to protect our digital world.

But we still have a massive gap.

The breakdown isn't our tools; it is how we operate. It’s how we hire, how we use our existing infrastructure, and how we educate our communities.

That is the driving force behind the Project Cyber Ready podcast.

HOSTED BY

Tony Bryan

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Project Cyber Ready have?

Project Cyber Ready currently has 122 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Project Cyber Ready about?

What is Project Cyber Ready? We are on a national mission to build the ultimate, replicable blueprint for cyber readiness. By researching what is actually working across the country and sharing those stories, we are piecing together the master plan to figure out exactly what is needed to solve this...

How often does Project Cyber Ready release new episodes?

Project Cyber Ready publishes regularly with 122 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Project Cyber Ready?

You can listen to Project Cyber Ready on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Project Cyber Ready?

Project Cyber Ready is created and hosted by Tony Bryan.
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