by Carlton Fields
Maretta Morovitz is the Engage Lead at MITRE, where she simplifies the planning of adversary engagement for cyber defenders. Maretta likens her cyber defense work to the movie Home Alone, setting a series of traps for the cyber adversary akin to those of Kevin McCallister. Maretta began her career at MITRE with an internship, where she met her mentor, Dr. Stan Barr, the MITRE Engage chief scientist: “He was always there to pull me out if I was floundering and drowning, but he gave me the space I needed to make mistakes, learn from them, and figure out how to not make them again.” Despite having a computer scientist father, Maretta discovered her passion for the industry only in college. After observing a friend who was a computer science major, she found that maybe her dad (and computer science) were cooler than she had initially thought. Maretta also shares on the podcast the importance of her Boston roots and her unique connection to John and Abigail Adams. To kick off the show, Jack Clabby from Carlton Fields, P.A., and Kayley Melton from KnowBe4 discuss Kenya’s efforts to improve national cybersecurity to protect its fast-growing digital economy. They also cover how the United States and the private sector are contributing to the Kenyan model for digital transformation in Africa, particularly through a dynamic digital ecosystem known as the “Silicon Savannah.”
Tanya Janca, also known as SheHacksPurple, is the head of community and education at Semgrep and the best-selling author of Alice and Bob Learn Application Security. With more than 25 years of experience in coding, application security, and IT, Tanya has dedicated herself to "securing all the things.” Tanya's career journey began in the Canadian government, where she initially served as a software developer before transitioning to elections security, eventually becoming the IT security coordinator (CISO equivalent) of the 42nd general election in Canada. Her time in the public sector led her to a pivotal career hack. Tanya refused to let her agency's limited travel budget hinder her cybersecurity education, so she seized countless speaking opportunities at cyber conferences in exchange for the free ticket. These conferences ignited her passion for educating future cybersecurity professionals. Today, having pivoted to the private sector, all of Tanya’s educational materials are freely available at Semgrep Academy, fulfilling a dream of hers. To kick off the show, Jack Clabby from Carlton Fields and Kayley Melton from KnowBe4 discuss the potential extradition of Julian Assange to the United States. Assange faces an 18-count indictment, including allegations of conspiracy to commit computer crimes and violations of the Espionage Act. The discussion also delves into the negotiation surrounding Assange's extradition, particularly concerning the world’s view of the U.S. prison system.
Tamiko Fletcher —CISO at Kennedy Space Center With a Heart of Gratitude Tamiko Fletcher’s career at NASA began in 1999 as a cooperative education student. Her journey to CISO over the following 20 years is nothing short of inspiring. As the chief information security officer, Tamiko is responsible for minimizing the space center’s cybersecurity risk, maintaining visibility into cybersecurity operations, and providing guidance for compliance with NASA’s cybersecurity standards and federal regulations. In this episode, recorded live from Sunshine Cyber Con, Tamiko joins Carlton Fields’ Jack Clabby and KnowBe4’s Kayley Melton to share her passion for mentoring the next generation of cybersecurity leaders. She also reveals how her brother’s career with Xerox and computer-building hobby inspired her own career in tech — shh, she doesn’t want him to get too much credit. Tamiko also details how her small-town upbringing has given her a heart of gratitude in every aspect of her life, including leading others. And in a first for the podcast, Tamiko answers direct questions from the live audience. Tune in to gain insights into Tamiko’s journey and the invaluable lessons she's learned along the way.
Roman Sannikov is the president of Constellation Cyber LLC, a boutique consulting firm specializing in cyberthreat intelligence and analysis. In addition to building Constellation from the ground up, he also serves as a research and intelligence adviser for CYBERA and Venation, two digital security and resilience companies that offer innovative solutions to protect organizations and individuals from cyberthreats. Roman joins Carlton Fields’ Jack Clabby and KnowBe4’s Kayley Melton to discuss his career journey, which started during his college years when he worked as a freelance Russian language translator for the FBI. Throughout his journey, Roman has encountered thrilling adventures, such as scaling a cargo ship via a frozen rope ladder from a speedboat to aid in a death investigation, and enduring tense moments while safeguarding a cooperating witness within the confines of a sealed, sweltering van. Roman's passion for a collaborative and transparent approach to cybersecurity shines through as he emphasizes the need for innovation beyond just tools and money. Roman unravels the complexities of the cybersecurity landscape, highlighting the importance of collective action in safeguarding organizations and individuals from evolving threats. To start the show, Jack and Kayley discuss John Oliver's "Last Week Tonight" segment on “pig butchering.” They explore the broader implications of this often overlooked issue, suggesting that there might be more victims entangled in this complex crime than meets the eye.
Jo Anna Parker Martin, a security analyst at Rice University, protects students, faculty, and their data from outside threats. When she’s away from Rice University’s networks, she can be found researching artificial intelligence while listening to the iconic “Trolls” movie soundtrack. In this episode, Jo Anna joins Carlton Fields’ Jack Clabby and KnowBe4’s Kayley Melton to tell the story of how her career has changed since starting at Rice University 17 years ago. From her early days as a receptionist at a hair salon to her current role as a security analyst, Jo Anna shares her journey in the cyber world and her fascination with AI, stemming from her compliance-related responsibilities. Emphasizing a realism-based view on AI, she passionately advocates for a comprehensive understanding of AI, emphasizing that it’s neither inherently good nor bad. Jo Anna also sheds light on her involvement with the cybersecurity book club for WiCyS Global, underscoring the pivotal role organizations like WiCyS play in bridging the workforce gender gap. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jo Anna showcases her multifaceted talents by treating us to an original poem with a captivating cyber theme. To kick off the episode, Jack and Kayley recount a recent “Florida man story” in which a 19-year-old was charged in a SIM-swapping spree to steal cryptocurrency, collaborating with the hacking group 0ktapus.
Dr. Diana Burley has nearly 30 years of experience leading digital transformations and driving cross-sector education, research, and strategic innovation. As American University’s chief research and innovation officer, she is responsible for establishing the strategic vision and supporting faculty-led scholarship across all disciplines. Her own research has recently focused on the cybersecurity workforce. In this episode, Dr. Burley joins Carlton Fields’ Jack Clabby and KnowBe4’s Kayley Melton to discuss her role in educating policymakers, her research into misconceptions about the cybersecurity workforce, and her strategy for building the ultimate escape room team. Dr. Burley details one of her current research projects, the “Cyber Unicorn Challenge,” a collaboration between Dr. Burley and Cyber Florida. This study aims to gather data on the challenge of “cyber unicorns,” which are job postings for cybersecurity positions with often-inflated technical or experiential requirements that few applicants, if any, can meet. The research project delves into the reasons behind these inflated requirements, uncovers why the search for cyber unicorns persists, and suggests what can be done about it. To start the show, Jack and Kayley discuss the alleged Nigerian cybercriminal arrested for stealing $7.5 million from charities. Jack also breaks down the job of an FBI legal attaché.
Lisa Plaggemier is the executive director at the National Cybersecurity Alliance. Renowned for her people-first leadership style, Lisa’s passions for collaboration and humor drive transformative change for personal and corporate cybersecurity. In this episode, Lisa joins Carlton Fields’ Jack Clabby and KnowBe4’s Kayley Melton to discuss best practices for effective communication in the cybersecurity industry, sharing along the way Lisa's journey from marketing executive to cybersecurity leadership. Lisa explains the story behind the creation of “Kubikle” — a cybersecurity-based comedy series that is a much-watch for fans of satire and technology. Lisa also unveils the NCA’s “Oh, Behave!” report, which this year presents the results of a survey of over 6,000 people in the United States and internationally on their cybersecurity attitudes and behaviors. With wit and style, this report emphasizes the vital role that behavioral science plays in strengthening cybersecurity. To start off the last episode of 2023, Jack and Kayley discuss an upcoming highlight in the cybersecurity calendar: the 2024 Sunshine Cyber Conference! Brace yourselves for this exciting event, featuring a roster of distinguished No Password Required alumni, including a session with our very own Kayley Melton and cybersecurity rock star Winn Schwartau.
Jayson Street, the dynamic chief adversarial officer at Secure Yeti, has worn many masks throughout his life and career. He was once named a “world-class hacker” on National Geographic’s "Breakthrough” series episode “Cyber Terror," but he prefers the simpler title of “hacker, helper, and human.” In this episode, Jayson joins Carlton Fields’ Jack Clabby and KnowBe4’s Kayley Melton to talk about his journey of self-discovery that led him from being an award-winning janitor at McDonald's to one of the world’s most infamous ethical hackers. From his early childhood, Jayson has embraced hacking as a way of life, embodying the spirit of relentless exploration, innovation, and resilience. Like our favorite co-host Kayley, Jayson uncovered a new layer of his identity in his adulthood when he discovered that he is neurodivergent. He dives deep into how this new understanding altered his perception of himself, allowed him to embrace the various “masks” he wears throughout life, and discovered that his unique mind is actually his superpower. He also shares extraordinary stories of how he gained entry into some of the hardest-to-access cyber targets in the world. To start off the show, Jack and Kayley talk about the celebrity topping the “Hacker Celebrity Hot List” as the celeb whose name is used most by cybercriminals when creating online scams. Hint: he’s just Ken…
What is the role of cybersecurity in food safety? Kristin Demoranville, CEO and founder of AnzenSage, is committed to shielding the food sector from potential cybersecurity threats and ensuring the resilience of the entire food supply chain. Her dedication is not just a professional pursuit; it's a mission to prevent any compromise to public health. In this episode, Carlton Fields cybersecurity attorney Jack Clabby and No Password Required producer Rex Wilson speak with Kristin about everything from the deployment of autonomous tractors to the secure refrigeration of airport food, and Kristin sheds light on the other facets of daily life that are linked to the food supply chain. Kristen also shares how her love for wildlife led to her working with primates at the Louisville Zoo before making the transition into cybersecurity, and the value that podcasting has brought to her life. Kristin’s podcast, Bites & Bytes, is her platform for discussing cybersecurity and food safety, and is recommended listening for fans of No Password Required. Bites & Bytes has fast become a medium for Kristin to share insights, connect with audiences, and explore the intersections of her diverse interests. Jack and Rex also delve into the intricacies of the Environmental Protection Agency's recent decision not to include cybersecurity in water system audits, and the questions this may raise about the security of water utility infrastructure.
Jessica Gulick is a woman of many trades. She is the founder and CEO of the cyber marketing firm Katzcy, the founder and commissioner of the US Cyber Games, and a trailblazer who is working to make cybersecurity a sport that thrives. In this episode, Jessica joins Carlton Fields’ Jack Clabby and KnowBe4’s Kayley Melton to share her experiences as a female entrepreneur and the role that perseverance has played throughout her career. She also talks about the inception of the US Cyber Games, its commitment to bringing together elite cyber athletes, coaches, and industry leaders, and the purpose she hopes it will serve in the cyber world. Jack and Kayley also discuss the recent developments of Droidish, which may sound like a new Star Trek language but is actually the language being developed by the U.S. military to allow AI drones to communicate with one another to become useful “tools” for many different purposes.