Check out our Sponsor LevelUpInTech and start your cloud career today Click here to get started: https://levelupintech.com/tech Welcome back to another captivating episode of The TechTual Talk*! Today, we're thrilled to have a special guest, Gregory Richardson, Blackberry's Vice President Global Advisory CISO , who brings a wealth of knowledge and years of experience in the cybersecurity industry. Gregory’s journey is nothing short of inspiring, as he began his career in the early, unglamorous days of cybersecurity and rose to prominence through persistence and a deep passion for technology. In this episode, we'll uncover the critical issues facing cybersecurity today, starting with the role of transparency and privacy in AI tools. Gregory will introduce us to his brainchild, Acta Scribe, an AI transcription service designed with the highest compliance standards in mind, ensuring that professionals such as doctors, therapists, and lawyers can trust that their data isn't misused. But this conversation goes beyond just technology. Gregory will share about his personal growth journey, including the importance of spiritual health, the value of perseverance, and the significance of mentorship in nurturing a successful career. We'll discuss the cultural challenges within the cybersecurity industry, from toxic environments driven by ego to the oversaturation of job applicants and the flawed recruitment process. The episode also tackles societal issues like the misuse of social media for creating false impressions and the broader implications of privacy concerns with apps like TikTok. Gregory's anecdotes provide real-world examples, including high-stakes meetings simplified for non-technical audiences and the harsh lessons learned from lacking empathy in leadership roles. Henri and Gregory will also stress the importance of self-promotion balanced with humility, networking, and soft skills, particularly for cybersecurity professionals. We'll delve into the complexities of system interconnectivity and the need for practical, robust solutions over flashy, yet superficial innovations. Podcast produced by Henri Davis Join my mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/techualconsulting.com/sign-up ➡️ Need a new resume done or need coaching from me⬇️ https://techualconsulting.com/offerings ➡️ Want to land your first IT Job? Then check out the IT course from Course careers use my link and code Techtual50 to get $50 off your course ⬇️ https://account.coursecareers.com/ref/50932/ Click the link below to try out Aura's FREE 14 day trial and see if your personal information has been compromised🔽 https://aura.com/techtualchatter ➡️ Need help getting into Cybersecurity for a low price? Check out the Cybersecurity course at Leveld Careers and use my code TechTual10 to get 10% off your course. ⬇️ https://www.leveldcareers.com/a/2147530874/RuqjrBGj ➡️ Donate to the channel here: https://paypal.me/techtualconsulting?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US ➡️ Check out The TechTual Talk Podcast: https://thetechtualtalk.com ➡️ Follow me on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techtualchatter/ TIkTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@techtualchatter Twitter: https://twitter.com/TechtualChatter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henri-davis/ ----------------------------------------------- 00:00 Intro 10:16 Cybersecurity industry has negative unemployment rate. 15:10 Prioritizing happiness over money and the job. 22:42 Learning from past interview experiences to improve future decisions. 30:05 Why Mentorship is valuable. 36:41 Workplace archetypes may hinder career advancement. 42:40 Consider others, restrain gut reactions, seek mentors. 46:00 Transition to self-improvement despite lack of support. 55:55 Helping listeners understand real-world business challenges. 01:05:20 Cyber industry exhibits prominent ego and narcissism. 01:13:46 Formal education and high-level learning are essential. 01:24:12 Recogni