My guest, Lianne Potter, feels utterly differently about how to educate people on cybersecurity. Instead of fear, she advocates for empowering them through trust, autonomy, and, above all things, reciprocity. One thing that I think you'd be intrigued to discover in this episode is that we're actually mad at the wrong people; we're angry at the wrong people in cybersecurity, and you're going to see exactly what I mean by this towards the end of this episode

Of the massive number of brilliant and skillful ethical hackers working their eyes out to fight back against cybercrimes, only a few could remove the blinkers and realize the importance of fixing the areas where bits and bytes meet flesh and blood.  That's why the world needs more people like Joshua Corman, a true cybersecurity visionary, not because he predicted things like cyber terrorism but because he realized and preached the importance of authenticity, collective action, and human...

Can the people around you tell the difference between phishing, vishing, and smishing? Probably not. And it doesn’t really matter - because that’s now what cybersecurity is about. As information security specialists, it’s up to us to teach people how to navigate the digital world safely, how to recognize suspicious activity, and deal with it. It’s not their job to understand how cookies collect their data or how security products work. There’s no one who can better explain this in a way...

Sharing our personal information online as a condition to access content has become a reflex. We hit the "I've read and agree to the terms and conditions" button without thinking about it. In fact, only a handful would notice if anything else is written in that box. Yet things are starting to change; those worried about data privacy aren't only hackers anymore. The wave of awareness that questions what companies do with the personal information we share with them has started spreading to...

If you boil cybersecurity down to its essence, you'll find a hacker doing their best to educate, communicate, and help people see the world the way they do: with curiosity and the innate desire to understand it and make it better. Yet what's the community reaction when a message fails to land as expected? It’s (still too) often victim-blaming, a sarcastic remark, or a vague piece of advice to do more of… something.

Welcome to Season 5 of Cyber Empathy! Today, Vivek Ramachandran joins me to discuss the importance of empathy, compassion, and vulnerability and how instrumental they were in the relationships he built at the multiple companies he founded, his personal life, and with himself. As the Founder of SquareX, Pentester Academy (acquired), Defcon and Blackhat speaker, and book author, Vivek's experience spans geographies, evolutionary stages in cybersecurity, and an intense personal growth journey.

After over a decade of running digital marketing for high-growth B2B technology startups, our guest, Dani Woolf, realized how marketing is managed in other vertical markets doesn't work in the cybersecurity space. It took her four years since she joined the cybersecurity industry in 2018, to create Audience 1st, a modern customer research agency built on four pillars: curiosity to truly understand audiences, empathy to listen first and identify cybersecurity buyers' pain points, provide...

Dive into a world where tech meets tenderness in this eye-opening episode! Join us as we explore the transformative power of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in the often-rigid realm of cybersecurity. With expert insights from Octavian Istrate, a certified NVC trainer, we unravel how empathy can revolutionize your cyber conversations. Discover how to navigate the delicate balance between technical precision and compassionate communication. Whether you're decoding data or defusing digital...

Put your finger on the human pulse of cybersecurity with Maril Vernon, a standout star shaking up the scene. Tune in as she unpacks the power of empathy, true diversity, and her unique journey from social media marketing to top-tier hacking. Discover why human connection is vital for making it in this space - and changing it for the better!

Dive into the empathetic side of cybersecurity with Pete Herzog, a uniquely talented hacker and deep thinker. Co-founder of ISECOM and innovator behind Urvin AI, Mewt, and Invisibles, Pete shares his unique journey from cybersecurity to neurohacking tools. Discover how his work in projects like Hacker Highschool and the development of the OSSTMM blends empathy with technical acumen. Join us for an insightful exploration of Pete's unconventional approach to cybersecurity, where hacking meets...

In this episode, Catherine Knibbs joins us to talk about cybertrauma, how it feels, how it works, and what we can do to deal with it. Catherine is a Cybertrauma Clinician and Researcher, international educator, Consultant, TEDx Speaker, and the Author of "Cybertrauma: The Darker Side of the Internet for Children and Young People."

In this lively and insightful episode, you get to meet Molly McLain Sterling, the Director of Global Security Culture at Medtronic, CISO Advisor, Top Rated SANS Speaker, Security Evangelist, and Behavioral Science Human Risk Management Leader. Discover how her journey through different realms led her to seamlessly blend her love for theater with her belief that security is a universal value everyone deserves, turning this into a program that supports over 100,000 people in 150 countries.

This raw and heart-stirring conversation with Jayson E. Street left an indelible mark on me. Join us as we explore the profound strength behind genuine acts of kindness and the connection between cybersecurity and life's larger lessons. Be inspired to act with deeper intention.

In this engaging episode, Dr. Jessica Baker and I dive deep into the nuances of personal growth, the value of time, the true essence of confidence, and the underrated significance of empathy in cybersecurity. Join us for a deep dive into the transformative power of books (for both authors and readers) and the ripple effect of positive actions in a space often driven by a combative mentality.

Dive into a riveting chat with Sebastian Avarvarei, who transitioned from tech pro to a heart-led cybersecurity leader. Unpack leadership gems, the magic of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People", and the secret spice to turning knowledge into action.

In this episode, as an opener for Cyber Empathy's fourth season, I'll take you through some updates on the show and my personal life, share the topics we will be exploring this season, thank my loved ones for their unconditional love throughout the taxing situations I had to deal with in the last year, and our community for their support that granted us the honor of two awards at the 2023 European Cyber Security Blogger Awards, the Most Educational Podcast award, and the Best New...

In this captivating episode, we dive into the depths of hacker culture and explore the multifaceted aspects of The Hacker Manifesto with seasoned cybersecurity expert Tom Eston. Going beyond the surface, Tom sheds light on the driving forces behind cybersecurity enthusiasts and imparts invaluable insights on ethical hacking and leadership. Join us as we uncover the power of curiosity, the challenges of burnout, the golden age of training, ethical dilemmas, and the delicate balance young...

In today's episode, I'm joined by the incredibly talented and eloquent Jenny Radcliffe, The People Hacker. She is a Social Engineer, Author, Burglar for hire, Award-winning Podcast Host, Keynote Speaker, Panelist, and 2022 Infosec Hall of Fame Inductee. Her latest book, "People Hacker: Confessions Of A Burglar For Hire," reveals how she gains access to top-grade private and commercial properties using her inimitable blend of psychology, stagecraft, and charm. A thrilling conversation you...

Discover the secret to making cybersecurity relatable and engaging in this eye-opening podcast episode featuring Advisory CISO and Cybersecurity Strategist, J. Wolfgang Goerlich (“Wolf”). Learn how empathy, communication, and powerful storytelling can bridge the gap between technical experts and their audience. Explore the importance of diverse perspectives, interdisciplinary collaboration, and venturing outside the box as we discuss the surprising connections between cybersecurity, art,...

Are you a young writer interested in cybersecurity but feel like every topic has already been explored? In this episode, Joe Pettit, Director at Bora, shares his journey into IT security and how he's now using his expertise to help others break into the industry. Discover the importance of diversity in cybersecurity, the difference between hackers and cybercriminals, and the practical impact of empathy in this fast-paced field. Plus, learn how to create meaningful content on exhausted topics...

To our guest, Anastasios Arampatzis, a Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Specialist and Cybersecurity Content Writer, the ancient Greek heroes and philosophers have much to teach us about helping people secure their digital lives. He believes that promoting, teaching, and spreading knowledge about cybersecurity is a massive demonstration of love. Here's why.

Psychological safety doesn't just help performance. It also creates space for us to name problems, admit vulnerabilities, and then find ways to get better. Besides keeping technology safe to use, cybersecurity also needs to protect the people using it. Arguably, this is the most important goal for this industry. The path to achieving this is definitely not an easy one, but it is an attainable one when we have real-life examples to guide our work.

Overly technical and dramatic messages about trending or successful attacks fly right by busy ears. So what’s the solution? Creating simple messages that resonate with people in their context. This is a practical way of using empathy to create true resonance, but it’s often difficult to accomplish without help. That’s why a non-IT specialist with communication expertize can act as an empathy filter for the security team when bringing them on board.

Poor communication is a major roadblock in getting people to adopt cyber-safe habits. It also created a major disconnect between information security specialists and the people they serve. This makes empathy essential in the cybersecurity space because it’s a constant reminder that things which are quick and easy for technical specialists can be complex and unnecessary to people with a different background.