#29 InfoSec Pat’s Journey From Network Engineer to Cyber Mentor:

01/08/25 • 41 min

Kyser Clark interviews Patrick Gorman, also known as InfoSec Pat, a seasoned cybersecurity professional with over 23 years of experience. They discuss the importance of certifications in the cybersecurity field, the challenges of retaining knowledge, and the journey of creating educational content on YouTube. Pat shares insights on his motivations for teaching and mentoring others, as well as his thoughts on bug bounty programs and the value of collaborative learning.
Check out InfoSec Pat on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/InfoSecPat
And Connect with Patrick Gorman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/infosecpat/
Takeaways

Certifications are valuable but do not guarantee knowledge.
Creating content can be a way to reinforce one's own learning.
Bug bounty programs can be approached collaboratively for better results.
Teaching others can be a fulfilling way to give back to the community.
Staying updated with technology is essential in the fast-paced field of cybersecurity.
Networking with peers can enhance learning experiences.
The journey of creating educational content can be challenging yet rewarding.
Certifications should align with personal interests and career goals.
Mentoring others can help bridge the knowledge gap in the industry. Unique perspectives in teaching can enhance learning.
Mentoring should be valued and compensated.
Burnout is a real challenge in cybersecurity careers.
Engaging instructors can make a significant difference in learning.
Networking is crucial for career advancement in cybersecurity.
Free help often leads to a lack of appreciation.
Taking breaks is essential to avoid burnout.
Having a structured schedule can help manage time effectively.
Family should always be prioritized over work.
Different instructors resonate with different learners.

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Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information.
Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

Certifications are valuable but do not guarantee knowledge.
Creating content can be a way to reinforce one's own learning.
Bug bounty programs can be approached collaboratively for better results.
Teaching others can be a fulfilling way to give back to the community.
Staying updated with technology is essential in the fast-paced field of cybersecurity.
Networking with peers can enhance learning experiences.
The journey of creating educational content can be challenging yet rewarding.
Certifications should align with personal interests and career goals.
Mentoring others can help bridge the knowledge gap in the industry. Unique perspectives in teaching can enhance learning.
Mentoring should be valued and compensated.
Burnout is a real challenge in cybersecurity careers.
Engaging instructors can make a significant difference in learning.
Networking is crucial for career advancement in cybersecurity.
Free help often leads to a lack of appreciation.
Taking breaks is essential to avoid burnout.
Having a structured schedule can help manage time effectively.
Family should always be prioritized over work.
Different instructors resonate with different learners.

Previous Episode

#28 Outwork the Competition: Winning the Cybersecurity Career Game

In this episode, Kyser Clark discusses the competitive landscape of cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of culture fit, the reality of job openings, and how to stand out in a crowded field. He highlights the necessity of hard work, continuous learning, and the value of soft skills in securing a position. Additionally, he addresses the misconceptions about the cybersecurity job market and encourages listeners to invest in their careers through training and certifications.
Takeaways

Competition is fierce in cybersecurity due to limited job openings.
Culture fit is often more important than technical skills in hiring decisions.
Many job postings are ghost jobs that companies don't intend to fill.
Continuous learning and self-training are essential in cybersecurity.
Soft skills can set candidates apart in a technical field.
Help desk experience is valuable for breaking into cybersecurity.
Investing in certifications can yield high returns in salary.
Avoid unnecessary expenses to fund career development.
Hard work and dedication are crucial for success in cybersecurity.
Recognizing competition can motivate individuals to improve.

Next Episode

#30 Uncovering a $200M Fraud Ring with David Taxer

David Taxer, a cybersecurity expert with over 12 years of experience, shares the incredible story of uncovering a $200 million fraud ring disguised under a major corporation. Learn how his unique background in SEO and intelligence helped him expose insider threats and fraudulent schemes, as well as the challenges he faced as a whistleblower. This episode dives deep into protecting yourself from identity theft, understanding corporate vulnerabilities, and adopting the hacker mindset to uncover hidden truths.
Connect with David Taxer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidtaxer/
and at Texas Cyber Solutions: https://www.texascybersolutions.com/
Takeaways

David Taxer uncovered a $200 million identity theft ring involving a major corporation.
Insider threats and social engineering were key elements in executing the fraudulent scheme.
His unique transition from SEO to cybersecurity demonstrates how unconventional skills can drive success in offensive security.
Weak state regulatory systems often fail to prevent or address large-scale corporate fraud.
Staying curious and adopting the hacker mindset is essential for uncovering hidden threats and solving complex problems.

The Hacker's Cache - #29 InfoSec Pat’s Journey From Network Engineer to Cyber Mentor:

Transcript

[Pat Gorman] (0:00 - 0:32)

And what I would say from what I've heard is do it with a group of friends. I think it's a little more exciting and I got that information from Nomset. So definitely go out there and get with a group of folks and I think that'll be, it'll be better to do it like that than like, okay, you know, let's jump into a program and jump into an app and do it all by yourself, especially if you never did it before.

Hi, I'm Kyser Clark and welcome to The Hacker's Ca