SOC Unlocked: Tales from the Cybersecurity Frontline

Training for the Digital Battlefield: A Black Belt Approach to Cybersecurity with Michael Vetri

Mick Leach — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 22:04:38 GMT

In the latest episode of SOC Unlocked, host Mick Leach sits down with Mike Vetri, Director of Security Operations at a healthcare tech company, to discuss his unique path from Air Force pilot training to becoming a leader in cybersecurity. Mike reflects on the mindset required to thrive in the constantly evolving field of cyber defense, drawing from his military background and his experience leading critical operations in both government and private sectors. He highlights the importance of continuous learning, comparing cybersecurity to martial arts—where you need to “train like a black belt” to stay ahead of adversaries. Mike also shares valuable insights on managing high-stress incidents, the need for cross-training within security teams, and why setting boundaries with leadership during a cyber crisis is crucial.

The Science of Breaking In: How Curiosity Drives Cybersecurity with FC

Mick Leach — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:08:47 GMT

Host Mick Leach welcomes renowned ethical hacker and author FC to SOC Unlocked for an unforgettable deep dive into the human side of cybersecurity. From walking unnoticed into a government facility with hundreds of cameras to the infamous “gold bar” heist that still makes clients squirm, FC’s stories reveal how curiosity, timing, and psychology often outsmart even the strongest technical defenses.

Together, Mick and FC explore the fine line between ethical hacking and criminal creativity, the crucial role of trust (and why it so often backfires), and how AI is reshaping both sides of the security battlefield. The conversation is equal parts thrilling and practical—a reminder that true security depends less on tools and more on awareness, discipline, and a healthy dose of skepticism.

Hungry, Humble, & Smart—Keys To Success in Cybersecurity with Jeremy Ventura

Mick Leach — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 19:26:22 GMT

In this episode of SOC Unlocked: Tales from the Cybersecurity Frontline, host and SOC expert Mick Leach chats with Jeremy Ventura, Field CISO at Myriad360. The pair discuss the importance of Field CISOs in guiding and advising customers, the value of relationships with value-added resellers, and the art of storytelling in cybersecurity. They also highlight the challenges faced by cybersecurity teams and the role of AI can play as an enabler rather than a threat. Finally, Jeremy provides advice for individuals aspiring to work in a SOC, emphasizing the importance of being hungry, humble, and smart, and the need for networking and taking risks.

Lessons in Persistence and Progress: Navigating the Path from IT to Cybersecurity with Joe South

Mick Leach — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 21:48:32 GMT

In this episode of SOC Unlocked: Tales from the Cybersecurity Frontline, host and SOC expert Mick Leach sits down with Joe South, a seasoned cybersecurity expert and Principal Cloud Security Engineer, to explore his career journey and insights into the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity. Joe shares his path from starting in IT to eventually transitioning into the cybersecurity field, offering valuable advice for anyone looking to break into the industry. Throughout the episode, he emphasizes the importance of persistence in the face of rejection, recounts a memorable incident involving a password rotation issue that caused significant disruption, and highlights the crucial role of effective communication and thorough testing in preventing such mishaps. For those aspiring to enter cybersecurity, Joe also provides practical guidance, from building a home lab to continuous learning and earning essential certifications. Tune in to learn more.

From Alerts to Automation: Lessons in SOC Resilience with Steven Dumolt

Mick Leach — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 22:11:38 GMT

Senior Information Security Engineer Steven Dumolt joins SOC Unlocked to share the real-world challenges of working in a SOC. From scaling cloud-first operations to tackling alert fatigue and AI hype, he offers insights on resilience, teamwork, and career growth in cybersecurity.

Purpose-Driven Cybersecurity: Collaboration and Community Focus with Nikki Milburn

Mick Leach — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 04:19:46 GMT

In the latest episode of SOC Unlocked, host Mick Leach sits down with Nikki Milburn, Franklin County’s Chief Information Security Officer, who rose from an unexpected start to become a leader of a dynamic security team. Nikki unveils her strategies for safeguarding essential public infrastructure, navigating the intense speed of cyber threats, and empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Discover how Nikki’s commitment to community and collaboration drives her approach to security and keeps public services resilient against the latest threats.

Rethinking Threat Intelligence in an Agentic AI World with Piotr Wojtyla

Mick Leach — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 19:16:51 GMT

Threat intelligence leader Piotr Wojtyla joins host Mick Leach on the latest episode of SOC Unlocked to unpack how AI, behavioral modeling, and threat intelligence are converging to reshape modern security operations. Drawing from years in incident response and nation-state investigations, Piotr explains why combining known-good behavior with known-bad intelligence is critical to detecting today’s most evasive threats.

Together, Mick and Piotr explore how machine learning and LLMs are transforming the SOC from a linear alert factory into a feedback-driven decision engine—while also exposing new risks, from remote insider scams to agentic AI and SaaS token abuse. The conversation blends war stories, practical lessons, and forward-looking insight, underscoring a central theme: AI can elevate defenders dramatically, but strong security still depends on human judgment, curiosity, and fundamentals done right.

Testing, Learning, Evolving: How Practice and Precision Strengthen the SOC with Marty McDonald

Mick Leach — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 18:25:14 GMT

In this episode of SOC Unlocked, host Mick Leach talks with Marty McDonald, Principal Domain Advisor at Optiv, about what it takes to modernize today’s SOCs for an AI-driven world.

Marty shares how forward-looking teams are automating repetitive, level-one work with SOAR and agentic frameworks freeing analysts to focus on higher-value investigations. He also explains how UEBA and entity analytics help analysts tell better data stories, transforming telemetry into actionable insight for executives and boards alike.

The conversation underscores a timeless truth—modernization starts with fundamentals. From refining metrics to running effective tabletop exercises, small, consistent improvements drive lasting transformation.

From the NSA to Chief Hacking Officer, Shaping the Future of Cybersecurity with Dave Kennedy

Mick Leach — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 19:30:10 GMT

In this episode of SOC Unlocked: Tales from the Cybersecurity Frontline, host and SOC expert Mick Leach chats with Dave Kennedy, Founder & Chief Hacking Officer of TrustedSec and Binary Defense. Dave shares his cybersecurity background, including his work with the NSA and PowerShell security development. Mick and Dave dive into a variety of topics including, the importance of understanding offensive capabilities, behavioral analytics, and centralizing security tools to enhance visibility and response. They also discuss current threats like social engineering, supply chain attacks, and ransomware, highlighting the need for robust detection programs.

From Offense to Innovation: What AI Teaches Us About the Future of Cyber Defense with Dave Kennedy

Mick Leach — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:00:47 GMT

Cybersecurity visionary Dave Kennedy joins Host Mick Leach on SOC Unlocked to explore how artificial intelligence is redefining the balance between attacker innovation and defender resilience. From building custom large-language models to outsmart attackers at scale to proving that humans still belong at the center of the SOC, Dave reveals what it really takes to stay ahead in an age of machine-speed threats.

Together, Mick and Dave unpack how AI is accelerating the attacker’s toolkit, transforming the analyst’s workflow, and redefining what “defense in depth” means today. The discussion blends technical insight with practical wisdom—a candid look at innovation, leadership, and why the best security strategies still start with people.

From the Battlefield to the Boardroom: Lessons in Cyber Leadership with Patti Titus

Mick Leach — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 17:35:37 GMT

In the premiere episode of Season 2 of SOC Unlocked, host Mick Leach sits down with Patricia Titus, Field CISO at Abnormal AI, for a candid conversation about resilience, risk, and redefining what it means to lead in cybersecurity.

From Law Enforcement to Cyber Defender: Lessons in Security and Resilience with Aaron Roane

Mick Leach — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 21:39:57 GMT

In the latest episode of SOC Unlocked, host Mick Leach sits down with Aaron Roane, SOC Manager at Ensemble Health, who delves into his journey from law enforcement to cybersecurity, a career path driven by a passion for defending others. Reflecting on lessons learned along the way, Aaron discusses the role of continuous learning, the value of documentation, and the necessity of a supportive, knowledge-sharing culture in security operations. His insights on the emerging challenges from AI, quantum computing, and sophisticated phishing tactics highlight the evolving landscape of cybersecurity. Aaron also shares valuable advice for new entrants: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” a philosophy that encourages both humility and resilience in the face of an ever-changing threat landscape.

Ethical AI and Human Expertise: Striking the Right Balance in Cybersecurity with Eric Zielinski

Mick Leach — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 14:56:35 GMT

In this episode of SOC Unlocked: Tales from the Cybersecurity Frontline, host and SOC expert Mick Leach sits down with Eric Zielinski, Head of Application Security and Cloud Security Engineering at Options Clearing Corporation. Eric shares his journey into cybersecurity and the lessons learned from his hands-on experience. Together, they delve into the evolving role of AI in cybersecurity operations, including its potential to automate tier-one analysis. While AI presents exciting opportunities, both emphasize the continued need for human oversight. They also discuss the challenge of navigating complex security tools, advocating for simplicity and a strong foundation of hands-on expertise. Eric offers valuable career advice for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, highlighting the importance of adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning in this fast-changing field.

Leading the Pack: Human Ingenuity in the AI-Driven SOC with Lisa Tetrault

Mick Leach — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 22:32:27 GMT

In this episode of SOC Unlocked, host Mick Leach sits down with Lisa Tetrault, Senior Vice President of Security Services at Arctic Wolf, to explore AI-driven threats, SOC leadership, and building a culture that keeps analysts engaged and effective.

With more than 25 years in security and operations, Lisa shares her path from network operations to leading Arctic Wolf’s global SOC, concierge security team, and incident response division. She discusses the rise of AI-powered social engineering, the limits and promise of AI in security, and why “human in the loop” remains critical.

Lisa also reveals how her team combats burnout with smarter workflows, strong recognition programs, and a culture that values variety, growth, and celebration. This engaging discussion shows how people, processes, and technology come together to elevate and fortify modern SOCs—making it a must-listen for anyone in cybersecurity.

Curiosity and Cross-Skilling: Lessons from a Unconventional Cybersecurity Path with Joe Morrissey

Mick Leach — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 16:12:08 GMT

In this episode of SOC Unlocked: Tales from the Cybersecurity Frontline, host and SOC expert Mick Leach chats with Joe Morrissey, Incident Commander & Director of Threat Response at a Midwest, Fortune 100 Financial Services Company. Joe shares his unique path into cybersecurity, starting from tech and help desk roles. He highlights the importance of self-directed learning and seeking support from your peers. The pair also discuss the need for constant availability in cybersecurity, the interconnectedness of departments, and the most prominent challenges facing SOCs today. Listen in to learn more!

How AI Is Rewriting the CISO Playbook with Michael Myint

Mick Leach — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:16:06 GMT

Healthcare security leader Michael Myint joins host Mick Leach on the latest episode of SOC Unlocked to explore how AI is changing security operations, what modern leaders should expect from emerging vendors, and why the fundamentals still matter. Drawing on 30 years in information security, Michael shares a practical view of where AI is delivering value today—and where hype still outpaces reality.

Together, Mick and Michael discuss deepfakes, AI-powered SOC workflows, startup innovation, board-level reporting, and the career habits that separate good practitioners from future security leaders. The conversation lands on a clear takeaway: teams should embrace modern security architectures, but never at the expense of sound judgment, strong foundations, and ownership.

Tales that Defined the Cybersecurity Frontline

Mick Leach — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 18:21:30 GMT

Season 1 of SOC Unlocked has been a journey through the dynamic and ever-changing world of cybersecurity. With host Mick Leach as our guide, we explored cutting-edge advancements in the SOC, shared powerful stories, and celebrated the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to protect organizations from evolving threats. In this special finale episode, we take a moment to reflect on the stories and lessons that shaped our first season. From the transformative role of AI in defending against modern cyberattacks to the importance of collaboration and mentorship, this episode revisits the moments that inspired, educated, and entertained.

Outsmarting Social Engineering and Dodging Computer Corndogs with Anthony Coggins

Mick Leach — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 15:56:49 GMT

In this episode of SOC Unlocked: Tales from the Cybersecurity Frontline, host and SOC expert Mick Leach chats with Anthony Coggins, Director of Information Security at Acrisure. The pair dive into the increasing sophistication of social engineering attacks and the challenges posed by MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) bypasses. Anthony also highlights the significant role that human behavior plays in shaping our cybersecurity defenses, revealing how psychological and behavioral factors can impact security measures and organizational resilience.

Automation, AI, and Bridging the Cybersecurity Talent Gap with Mick Douglas

Mick Leach — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 19:30:09 GMT

In the premiere episode of SOC Unlocked: Tales from the Cybersecurity Frontline, host and SOC expert Mick Leach chats with Mick Douglas, Managing Partner of InfoSec Innovations. The pair cover a range of topics including the current state of security operations, the role of automation and AI in the field, and the importance of using security tools effectively. They also delve into the talent gap in cybersecurity and how it can be addressed.