

Be Fearless Podcast by SquareX
SquareX
SquareX is excited to launch The Be Fearless Podcast Series, where we bring together industry experts and professionals from the cybersecurity community.Hosted by SquareX Founder - and cybersecurity veteran - Vivek Ramachandran, look forward to insights about our guests’ journeys in security, the evolution of the field, the changing threatscape and how enterprises across industries are addressing them today.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 14, 2024 • 37min
Building Successful Cybersecurity Communities | Anshu Gupta | Be Fearless Podcast EP 18
Anshu Gupta, a cybersecurity leader and founder of the Cybersecurity Entrepreneurship Summit, shares his journey from the corporate world to community-building in cybersecurity. He emphasizes the power of networking, advising aspiring founders to never dine alone and to maintain a robust social media presence. Anshu discusses vital trends like non-human identity management and the qualities angel investors seek in startups. He advocates for community focus on collaboration and effective projects, championing the importance of serving members to foster innovation.

Oct 11, 2024 • 8min
On Starting Recon Village and Attack Surface Management | Sudhanshu Chauhan | Be Fearless EP 17
Sudhanshu Chauhan, co-founder of Recon Village, delves into the cutting-edge world of attack surface management. He discusses the evolution of digital assets, emphasizing the need for visibility in today's complex cybersecurity landscape. Chauhan also highlights the vital role of reconnaissance as the first step in security assessments, including phishing tactics. His insights on fostering curiosity and continuous learning provide valuable advice for aspiring ethical hackers. Plus, hear about the inspiring journey of starting Recon Village at DEF CON!

Oct 2, 2024 • 22min
Fighting Phishing with AI and Personalized Spam Filters | Fred Heiding | Be Fearless Podcast EP 16
In this engaging discussion, Harvard Research Fellow Fred Heiding dives into the dual role of AI in cybersecurity. He reveals how AI can enhance hacking techniques while simultaneously fortifying defenses against phishing threats. Fred shares insights on automating large-scale security assessments and developing personalized spam filters to educate users. He also addresses the shifting threat landscape, emphasizing the urgent need for tech skills in an evolving digital world and the unique advantages of unbiased academic research in cybersecurity.

Sep 30, 2024 • 17min
The Future of Mobile Security | Subho Halder | Be Fearless Podcast EP 15
Subho Halder, co-founder and CISO of Appknox, shares his expertise in mobile security and DevSecOps. He discusses the increasing reliance on mobile apps and the security vulnerabilities that accompany them. The trend of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) presents unique challenges in the workplace, requiring proactive security measures. Subho emphasizes integrating security from the start to mitigate risks and explores the importance of hands-on experience and curiosity for newcomers in cybersecurity.

Sep 27, 2024 • 15min
From Semiconductors to Co-founding Black Hat Arsenal | Rachid Harrando | Be Fearless Podcast EP 14
Rachid Harrando, co-founder of Black Hat Arsenal and a former semiconductor expert, dives into his transformative journey into the world of cybersecurity. He discusses the creation of Black Hat Arsenal, curating vital open-source tools for the security community. Rachid sheds light on the challenges of using generative AI in work environments and emphasizes the importance of effective communication in cloud security. His DEF CON experiences offer insights and tips for anyone looking to transition into a cybersecurity career.

Sep 25, 2024 • 9min
Hacking EVs and Photovoltaic Systems | Vangelis Stykas | Be Fearless Podcast EP 13
In this engaging discussion, Vangelis Stykas, CTO and co-founder of ATROPOS.ai, delves into his expertise in penetration testing for electric vehicles and photovoltaic systems. He reveals the surprising resilience of ransomware groups compared to Fortune 500 companies. Vangelis highlights phishing as a key entry point for ransomware and discusses the potential vulnerabilities of power grids under strain from increased EV and solar panel usage. The conversation underscores the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures in these rapidly evolving technologies.

Sep 24, 2024 • 14min
AI and Automation in Pentesting | Phillip Wylie | Be Fearless Podcast EP 12
“You won't be replaced by AI, you'll be replaced by someone that uses AI.”At DEF CON 32, SquareX Product Evangelist Dakshitaa Babu talks to Offensive Security Expert Phillip Wylie about his cybersecurity journey, AI’s role in pentesting and more!0:00 Introduction0:41 Phillip’s journey from pro wrestling to cybersecurity2:03 Phillip's work at Horizon3.ai, which automates pentesting2:38 Why the cybersecurity community is so energizing4:22 AI and automation’s role in pentesting6:41 How the threatscape has changed with emergent technologies9:50 Advice for cybersecurity leaders11:38 Career advice on networking and keeping up with trends 🔔 Follow Phillip and Dakshitaa on:https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipwylie/https://www.linkedin.com/in/dakshitaababu/ 📖 Episode Summary:In this episode, Philip Wylie, a cybersecurity veteran and evangelist, shares his unique career path from professional wrestling to becoming a leading figure in offensive security. He talks about his journey into the world of pentesting, his passion for mentoring, and how he helps bridge the knowledge gap in cybersecurity. Philip also discusses his current role at Horizon3.ai, where he works with an autonomous pentesting tool that automates much of the pentesting process, and how AI is transforming the industry.Philip dives into the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, including the impact of AI on pentesting and the skills future cybersecurity professionals will need to thrive in this new environment. He offers advice for those just starting out in cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, networking, and staying current with emerging technologies like AI and cloud security.🔥 Powered by SquareXDeployed as a lightweight extension, SquareX turns any browser, on any device, into a secure enterprise browser. Find out more about SquareX at https://hubs.la/Q03rPcbf0

Sep 20, 2024 • 10min
Using LLMs for Offensive Cybersecurity | Michael Kouremetis | Be Fearless Podcast EP 11
Michael Kouremetis, Principal Adversary Emulation Engineer at MITRE, shares his expertise on the Caldera project and the fascinating interplay between AI and cybersecurity. He discusses the hurdles in testing large language models (LLMs) for offensive capabilities, stressing the need for real-world testing scenarios. Michael also addresses the dual-edged sword of open-source LLMs, exploring their potential for both enhancing cybersecurity and creating sophisticated threats. This insightful conversation offers a crucial look at the future of AI in the cyber landscape.

Sep 20, 2024 • 12min
With Bug Bounty Expert Niks | Be Fearless Podcast EP 10
Nikhil "Niks" Srivastava, a skilled bug bounty hunter and founder of B-Sides Ahmedabad, shares thrilling insights from the world of cybersecurity. He reveals his hacking experiences, including breaking into e-commerce sites through SQL injection. Niks discusses how AI is revolutionizing bug hunting techniques and emphasizes the importance of community and collaboration among cybersecurity professionals. He also provides valuable advice for newcomers eager to navigate the bug bounty landscape.

Sep 12, 2024 • 46min
Building Symmetry Systems & Thriving as an Security Entrepreneur | Mohit Tiwari | Be Fearless EP 9
Mohit Tiwari, co-founder and CEO of Symmetry Systems, shares his inspiring journey from IIT graduate to cybersecurity entrepreneur. He discusses how his company tackles modern data security challenges with innovative solutions. Mohit highlights the unique architecture of their systems and the significant hurdles enterprises face today. He also reflects on balancing a demanding career as a CEO with family life and emphasizes the value of supportive relationships and user feedback in building successful products.


