Field Notes: Coffee, Gliders & Trademark Scams

Ever wonder what the hosts of The Audit talk about when the mics are rolling but the formal interview isn't happening? This Field Notes episode gives you exactly that—unfiltered conversations covering everything from coffee preferences and glider flying to trademark scams targeting cybersecurity professionals. Nick and Eric dive into Eric's latest aviation adventures (spoiler: gliders are apparently safer than planes with engines), share war stories about scam calls trying to exploit trademark filings, and swap tales about expensive vet visits. Plus, hear some nostalgic cybersecurity stories from the Wild West days when networks ran without firewalls and people could taste peanut butter straight from the jar at grocery stores. Key Topics:  Eric's glider pilot training and why it's "safer" than powered flight  Trademark registration scams targeting IT professionals  Coffee roasting tips from flight instructors  Cybersecurity nostalgia: Temple University's router-only network  Why Eric kept a scammer on the phone for 5 minutes during pickleball Whether you're here for the cybersecurity insights or just want to know why Nick prefers Diet Coke to Coke Zero, this episode delivers the authentic conversations that happen between industry pros. Don't miss Eric's glider safety argument—it might just change your perspective on risk management. #cybersecurity #infosec #fieldnotes #aviation #scamcalls #itauditlabs  

Cybercriminals are exploiting X's Grok AI to bypass ad protections and spread malware to millions—while researchers discover your home Wi-Fi can now monitor your heart rate. This week's news breakdown covers the attack vectors you need to know about. Join co-hosts Joshua Schmidt, Eric Brown, and Nick Mellem as they dive into the latest cybersecurity developments that could impact your organization tomorrow. From social media malvertising to biometric data harvesting through everyday devices, these aren't distant threats—they're happening now. Key Topics Covered:  How cybercriminals are weaponizing Grok AI for malvertising campaigns Why 10-15% of employees access risky content at work (and what to do about it)  Wi-Fi devices that can detect heart rates from 10 feet away—privacy implications  Amazon's Project Kuiper vs. Starlink: What 1GB satellite internet means for security  Practical defenses: YubiKeys, browser isolation, and network redundancy strategies Don't wait until your organization is the next headline. IT leaders need to stay ahead of evolving threats, and this episode delivers critical insights to help protect your business. Like, share, and subscribe for more in-depth security discussions! #cybersecurity #infosec #grok #malware #starlink #wifi #privacy #ITsecurity 

The threat landscape is moving faster than ever—and traditional response playbooks aren't keeping up. In this live Field Notes episode, Eric Brown and Nick Mellum dive into the surge of recent cyberattacks hitting state governments, transit systems, and critical infrastructure across the U.S.From Nevada's complete state office shutdown to Maryland's Metro Transit paralysis, the hosts explore why organizations still "clam up" during breaches instead of sharing crucial threat intelligence. Drawing from their firsthand experience with the St. Paul incident and military-grade preparedness principles, they reveal the uncomfortable truth: you're not building higher walls anymore—you're planning for someone who's already inside.Key Topics Covered:Recent state-level cyberattacks in Nevada and MarylandWhy threat intelligence sharing fails when we need it mostThe human cost of breach response chaos and endless meetingsHow AI is being weaponized in sophisticated supply chain attacksMilitary mindset for cybersecurity: "Semper Gumby, always flexible"Don't wait for the next headline. Subscribe for more unfiltered cybersecurity discussions that bridge the gap between technical reality and human preparation.#cybersecurity #infosec #breach #threatintelligence #fieldnotes #livecast #CISO #cybersecuritynews

When ransomware hits a hospital, it's not just data that's at stake—patients are dying. Ed Gaudet, CEO of Censinet, reveals the shocking research proving what healthcare security professionals feared: cyberattacks on hospitals directly increase mortality rates and disrupt life-saving care. But Ed's biggest concern? The eerie quiet before what he believes could be the next wave of coordinated attacks across multiple critical infrastructures. Plus, why Microsoft's approach to AI integration is making cybersecurity professionals lose sleep. Key Topics Covered: Why ransomware attacks on hospitals increase patient mortality rates The research behind healthcare cybersecurity's deadly consequences  How the healthcare industry's digital transformation created new vulnerabilities Microsoft's problematic approach to forced AI integration The evolution from individual hackers to organized cybercrime syndicates Why Ed's "Spidey senses" are warning of coordinated infrastructure attacks Don't wait until your organization becomes the next healthcare headline. Subscribe for more critical cybersecurity insights that could save more than just your data. #healthcarecybersecurity #ransomware #patientsafety #cybersecurity #infosec #healthcare 

What happens when your next hire isn't who they claim to be? In this eye-opening episode of The Audit, we dive deep into the alarming world of AI-powered hiring fraud with Justin Marciano and Paul Vann from Validia. From North Korean operatives using deepfakes to infiltrate Fortune 500 companies to proxy interviews becoming the new normal, this conversation exposes the security crisis hiding in plain sight. Key Topics Covered: North Korean operatives stealing US salaries to fund nuclear programs How Figma had to re-verify their entire workforce after infiltration Live demonstrations of deepfake technology (Pickle AI, DeepLiveCam) Why 80-90% of engineers believe interview cheating is rampant Validia's "Truly" tool vs. Cluely's AI interview assistance The future of identity verification in remote work Why behavioral biometrics might be our last defense This isn't just about hiring fraud—it's about the fundamental breakdown of digital trust in an AI-first world. Whether you're a CISO, talent leader, or anyone involved in remote hiring, this episode reveals threats you didn't know existed and solutions you need to implement today.  Don't let your next hire be your biggest security breach. Subscribe for more cutting-edge cybersecurity insights that you won't find anywhere else. #deepfakes #cybersecurity #hiring #AI #infosec #northkorea #fraud #identity #remote #validia 

Can you spot the difference between real cybersecurity talent and someone using ChatGPT to fake their way through interviews? In this episode of The Audit, Thomas Rogers from Meta CTF reveals how Capture the Flag competitions are becoming the ultimate litmus test for authentic cyber skills—and why traditional hiring methods are failing in the AI era. Whether you're a CISO looking to revolutionize your hiring process, a security professional wanting to level up your skills, or just curious about what happens when cybersecurity meets escape room logic, this episode delivers actionable insights you can implement immediately. Key Topics Covered:  How Meta CTF's Jeopardy-style competitions work and why they're addictive Real examples of CTF challenges that test critical thinking over pure technical knowledge The shocking rise of AI-assisted interview cheating (and how to spot it)  Why "CTF culture" is becoming the new hiring differentiator for top security teams  Practical tips for using competitions to build team camaraderie and retention How smaller companies can compete with Big Tech for cybersecurity talent Don't let your next hire fool you with AI-generated answers. Learn how CTF competitions reveal the real problem-solvers from the pretenders. Like, share, and subscribe for more cybersecurity hiring secrets that actually work! #MetaCTF #CybersecurityHiring #CTF #InfoSec #CyberSecurity #AIInterviews #TechRecruiting 

Dallas Turner's $240,000 fraud loss isn't just celebrity news—it's a wake-up call for anyone with a bank account. When even NFL linebackers fall victim to social engineering, what does that mean for the rest of us? In this episode of The Audit, co-hosts Joshua Schmidt, Eric Brown, and Nick Mellem break down the sophisticated tactics behind this massive financial fraud and reveal why help desk vulnerabilities are becoming cybercriminals' favorite attack vector. From Scattered Spider's multi-industry campaigns to the unexpected cybersecurity challenges facing Formula 1 racing, this episode covers the evolving threats that no security professional can afford to ignore. 🎯 Key Topics Covered:  How banking impersonation scams work and red flags to watch for  Why Scattered Spider targets help desks and how to defend against it  The surprising cybersecurity risks in high-speed Formula 1 racing  Practical steps to protect yourself from social engineering attacks  Why MFA fatigue is becoming a serious security vulnerability Don't let social engineering catch you off guard. The tactics that fooled a professional athlete could easily target your organization next. #cybersecurity #socialengineering #scatteredspider #financialfraud #infosec 

What does it take to build real cybersecurity skills in underserved communities? In this episode of The Audit, Rasheed Alowonle shares his journey from Chicago to becoming a cybersecurity educator and community advocate. This isn't your typical career advice—it's about fortifying communities through practical security hygiene and hands-on learning.Co-hosts Joshua J Schmidt, Eric Brown, and Nick Mellum dive deep with Rasheed on his mission to teach cybersecurity fundamentals where they're needed most. From TryHackMe demonstrations to real-world privacy protection, this conversation reveals how grassroots education can transform both individuals and entire communities. Key Topics Covered: Building cybersecurity skills in underserved communities • Practical privacy protection for families and neighborhoodsCareer development through hands-on learning platforms The critical importance of in-person networking in tech Why protecting your digital identity protects your communityDon't wait to start building your cybersecurity career—your community needs you. Like, share, and subscribe for more real-world security insights that matter!#cybersecurity #infosec #careerdevelopment #networking #community #privacy #tryhackme

What happens when your carefully crafted incident response playbook becomes worthless? Cody Sullivan from OpsBook reveals the brutal truth about tabletop exercises: most organizations are practicing with medieval armor for a drone war. From 70-participant, 6-hour exercises spanning three continents to the harsh reality of insider threats, this conversation exposes the gaps that could leave your organization bleeding when the real attack comes. Key Topics Covered: Why "tribal knowledge" is your organization's biggest security risk The insider threat scenario that makes every tabletop exercise go sideways How AI is revolutionizing incident response preparation through OpsBook's ontology Why your playbooks are useless if hackers have them too The "Derek Jeter approach" to cybersecurity preparedness From real estate to tech: spotting warning signs before the industry shift The crew shares fresh insights from a recent school district tabletop that exposed critical single points of failure, while Cody demonstrates how modern organizations are turning decision-making into muscle memory, not just memos. This isn't theory—it's the frontlines of organizational resilience where one overlooked vulnerability could trigger catastrophic failure. Like, share, and subscribe for more in-depth security discussions that prepare you for tomorrow's threats, not just today's compliance checkboxes! #tabletopexercise #incidentresponse #cybersecurity #infosec #AI #opsbook 

Think you can manage industrial systems like your IT infrastructure? Think again. In this episode of The Audit, Dino Busalachi unpacks the high-stakes complexity of OT-IT convergence—and why your trusty IT playbook flatlines on the plant floor. Join the IT Audit Labs crew as we dive into the chaos of managing 10,000+ industrial assets across a sprawling landscape of vendors, protocols, and operational rules that laugh in the face of standardization. From Siemens to Rockwell to Honeywell, Dino draws sharp parallels to hospital systems juggling specialized third-party contractors—because in the world of OT, consistency is a luxury and adaptability is survival.🔧 Key Topics Covered:  • Why OT environments resist IT standardization efforts  • Managing thousands of industrial assets from multiple vendors  • The hospital analogy: treating OT specialists like medical contractors • Building effective partnerships between OT and IT teams • Real-world challenges of securing industrial control systems #OTSecurity #ITConvergence #IndustrialCybersecurity #SCADA #PLC #CriticalInfrastructure