Cyber Rants - The Refreshingly Real Cybersecurity Podcast
Join two longtime cybersecurity professionals and their guests as they rant, rave, and tell you the nitty-gritty of cybersecurity that nobody else talks about in their fancy marketing materials and trade show giveaways, all so you can protect your organization from cyber criminals. This cybersecurity podcast even pairs well with the international best-selling book "Cyber Rants." Zach Fuller and Lauro Chavez have fun, try not to take life too seriously, and definitely don't hold anything back when it comes to cybersecurity and compliance!
Episodes
136 episodes
Episode 136 - Inside CTEM: The New Standard for Cyber Risk
On this episode, Silent Sector breaks down what cybersecurity really looks like beyond the buzzwords. We dive into CTEM and why continuous exposure management beats the outdated once-a-year pen test. You’ll hear how adversarial simulat...
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Episode 136
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32:22
Episode 135 - Cyber Insurance: Promises, Pitfalls, and the Fine Print
Cyber insurance is meant to provide assurance when incidents occur—but too often, organizations face confusion, denied claims, and unclear coverage. Attorney and cybersecurity expert, Matt Silverman, joins Zach and Lauro to break down why cyber...
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Episode 135
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47:34
Episode 134 - AWS Outage Fallout and Planning Ahead for 2026 Budgets
In this episode, the Silent Sector team dives into the recent AWS shutdown, exploring what may have caused the disruption and the ripple effects it had across organizations relying on Amazon’s cloud infrastructure. They break down lessons learn...
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Episode 134
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31:29
Episode 133: Trust, But Verify: Recognizing and Preventing Fraud Before It Starts
Fraud happens when pressure, opportunity, and rationalization align. From data manipulation to asset theft, it often stems from weak controls—like a lack of oversight or segregation of duties. In this episode, we’ll talk about common red flags,...
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Episode 133
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25:59
Episode 132: Why Managers Matter in Cybersecurity
In this episode, we explore the critical role managers play in protecting their teams from cybersecurity threats. From understanding cyber risk as a business risk to recognizing how attackers often target leadership, we highlight the areas of c...
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18:27
Episode 131: Insider Threats: What to Watch For & How to Report
In this cybersecurity awareness training episode, we’re digging into one of the most overlooked risks in any organization: insider threats. From malicious intent to simple negligence and even blackmail, insiders can pose serious security ...
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Episode 131
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25:15
Episode 130: Securing the Keys to the Kingdom — Privileged Account Protection
This week, we're focusing on the cybersecurity risks tied to privileged accounts — the high-level access that IT professionals and admins hold. From major breaches at Marriott and Uber to lesser-known takedowns through personal Gmail accounts, ...
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Episode 130
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12:09
Episode #129 - Financial Professional Security Awareness Training
In this episode, we break down the real-world risks of cyber threats targeting finance professionals — including a recent incident where funds were sent to the wrong place due to a sophisticated email scam. Learn how attackers mimic branding, u...
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Episode 129
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21:33
Episode #128 - Executive Cybersecurity Awareness Training
This week, we're launching a brand-new series of free cybersecurity training content designed to empower executive leaders and high-profile individuals. In this special training episode, the guys dive into the critical threats targeting ...
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25:21
Episode 127 - The Hidden Risks Within: CIA Lessons on Insider Threats
Former CIA officer Michele Assad joins the Cyber Rants Podcast to reveal the hidden dangers of insider threats, from Nation-State recruitment to false flag operations, and why businesses can’t afford to ignore them. Michele shares acti...
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59:13
Episode 126 - Eric O'Neill on Espionage, Insider Threats, and Cybersecurity's Future
This week, Lauro and Zach are joined by Eric O'Neill, a former FBI agent who brought down Robert Hanssen, the most notorious and damaging spy in United States history. Eric recounts his role in one of the FBI's most significant spy takedowns an...
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53:29
Episode #125: End of Year Cyber Hustle
Let's face it, the end of the year can be stressful as tech teams push to get security and compliance efforts done. Zach and Lauro have seen it all, with people scurrying to meet their company's annual requirements. They discuss the top challen...
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Season 1
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Episode 125
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40:38
Episode #124: Urgent Release - Major Two Factor Authentication Vulnerability Discovered
In this urgent episode, the Cyber Rants crew welcomes Silent Sector’s Principal Cybersecurity Architect, Brian Contario, to discuss his game-changing discovery of a critical vulnerability in the Two-Factor...
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Season 1
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Episode 124
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42:06
Episode #123 - Data-Centric Security: The Future of Cyber Defense
Lauro and Zach welcome Denzil Wessels, Founder & CEO of Dymium, to explore groundbreaking innovations in database security. Denzil introduces Dymium's cutting-edge "Ghost layer" approach, which emphasizes securing data itself rather than ju...
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Season 1
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Episode 123
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36:45
Episode #122 - Prevent SaaS Data Leakage & Shadow IT
In this episode of the Cyber Rants Podcast, Zach and Lauro are joined by Yasir Ali, CEO of Polymer, to dive deep into the critical issue of data leakage and shadow IT in today's SaaS-driven business environment. As companies rely on a multitude...
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Season 1
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Episode 122
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40:17
Episode #121 - Mastering the Art of Social Engineering with Chris Hadnagy
In this episode of the Cyber Rants Podcast, we sit down with Chris Hadnagy, a prominent speaker at RSA, Black Hat, and DefCon's SE Capture the Flag events. Chris is the author of four influential books, including "Social Engineering: The Art of...
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Season 1
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Episode 121
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53:31
Episode #120 - Defending Against Personal Cyber Attacks
Financial scams and cyber breaches are hitting more Americans than ever. This week, Zach and Lauro dive into common personal scams and cyber attacks, sharing essential prevention tips and steps to take if you're targeted. Tune in and share with...
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Season 1
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Episode 120
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40:58
Episode #119 - Cyber Risk Visibility With Dan DeCloss
This week, Zach and Lauro welcome pen tester, CISO, and entrepreneur, Dan DeCloss. From navigating organizational challenges to systemizing vulnerability management processes, Dan shares expert insight that applies to IT and security profession...
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Season 1
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Episode 119
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37:46
Episode #118 - Leadership Insights with a Navy SEAL Turned Tech Entrepreneur
In this episode of Cyber Rants, Zach and Lauro sit down with Ty Smith, a former Navy SEAL turned successful tech entrepreneur, to uncover invaluable leadership and mindset lessons. Ty draws from his combat experience and entrepreneurial journey...
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45:15
Episode #117 - Securing Critical API Connections
In this episode of Cyber Rants, Zach and Lauro are joined by Jeremy Snyder, CEO of Firetail, to explore the intricacies of safeguarding vital API connections. Jeremy shares invaluable expertise on identifying and fortifying the vulnerable point...
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Season 1
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Episode 117
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45:03
Episode #116 - Navigating Post-Breach Communication
In today's cyber landscape, breaches are often disclosed by criminals before victims are even aware, leaving companies scrambling to manage the fallout. Crafting a swift and effective response is essential to safeguarding trust and reputation. ...
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44:39
Episode #115 - What is Cyber Resilience?
It's not a matter of if an organization is going to be attacked, but when. This week, the guys dive into discussing what organizations should be doing more to ensure they are resilient and ready to recover after an attack. Pick up y...
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46:14
Episode #114 - The 2024 Cybersecurity Crystal Ball
When the turn of the year comes, so do the projections of Zach, Mike, and Lauro. Sharing both obvious reminders and concepts that are not widely known, the guys break out the crystal ball and give their take on what's coming this year in cybers...
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43:45
Episode #113 - The Return of Chris Rock - Cyber Mercenary
We are thrilled to welcome back Chris Rock, a cyber mercenary with the expertise to dismantle individuals, institutions, and even entire nations. Join us as Chris shares insights, captivating stories, and the harsh realities of the hacker's wor...
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Season 1
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Episode 113
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1:10:02
Episode #112 - Cyber Score Sites: Fact or Fiction
In a digital realm rife with misinformation, the guys dissect the reliability of cyber score sites like Security Scorecard that rate the security level of companies. They discuss the repercussions of false ratings and the pressures on organizat...
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53:49