Épisodes

  • Part 4: Building a Cyber-Ready Community Together — With Alan Berry & Andrew Wilder

    Part 4: Building a Cyber-Ready Community Together — With Alan Berry & Andrew Wilder
    Nov 4 2026
    What does it take to bring employers, educators, and workforce organizations together to build a truly cyber-ready community?

    In this episode of Project Cyber Ready, I'm wrapping up our four-part series by sitting down with Alan Berry and Andrew Wilder, two experienced cybersecurity leaders and longtime supporters of CyberUp, to discuss how we can turn the challenges we've explored throughout this series into a shared plan for building a stronger cybersecurity workforce.

    Throughout this series, we've looked at the disconnect between education and employment, the changing cybersecurity talent pipeline, and the growing importance of measurable, real-world skills. Now, it's time to bring those conversations together and focus on what it will take to move forward.

    So what role does each of us play in building that future?

    In Part 4, Building a Cyber-Ready Community Together — A Shared Blueprint, Alan and Andrew share their perspectives on the importance of investing in people, developing talent internally, and creating stronger partnerships between employers and the organizations preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

    We also discuss how apprenticeships, mentorship, and skills-based hiring can help organizations identify and develop talent while reducing hiring risks. Alan shares his experience building career pathways and apprenticeship opportunities within large organizations, while Andrew offers insight into the challenges facing mid-market companies and why finding people with the right attitude and willingness to learn can be just as important as experience.

    We explore why training and developing employees is a business responsibility, not just an HR initiative, and how investing in people can improve retention, create opportunities for advancement, and strengthen an organization's overall security posture.

    We also talk about the importance of maintaining entry-level opportunities as AI continues to reshape the industry, building stronger connections across regional workforce ecosystems, and recognizing that no single organization can solve these challenges alone.

    The resources, talent, and organizations we need are already here. The real opportunity is connecting them and working from a shared regional blueprint.

    This is Part 4 and the conclusion of our four-part Project Cyber Ready series.

    Join me, Alan Berry, and Andrew Wilder as we bring these conversations full circle and explore how employers, educators, and community leaders can work together to build a stronger, more resilient cybersecurity workforce.

    🎧 Listen in and let's keep the conversation going.

    Connect & Join the Movement:
    • 🌐 Website: https://wecyberup.org/
    • 💼 LinkedIn: Connect with Tony Bryan, Andrew Wilder, and Alan Berry
    • 🔔 Subscribe: Hit follow on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode.
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    37 min
  • Part 3: The “Last Mile” Problem – With Jeff Welgan

    Part 3: The “Last Mile” Problem – With Jeff Welgan
    Oct 7 2026
    What happens when earning a cybersecurity credential isn’t enough to prove you can do the job?

    In this episode of Project Cyber Ready, I’m continuing our four-part series by sitting down with Jeff Welgan, CEO of SkillRex, to explore the “last mile”—the gap between earning credentials and demonstrating that you can apply those skills in a real-world environment.

    The cybersecurity hiring market has changed dramatically. With layoffs, offshoring, downsizing, and automation reshaping the market, employers have more experienced candidates to choose from while entry-level candidates face an increasingly competitive path into the industry.

    At the same time, certifications and degrees don’t always tell the full story of what someone can actually do. Jeff and I discuss why measurable, demonstrable skills are becoming increasingly important—and why employers need better ways to understand the capabilities of the people they’re hiring.

    So what does it take to close that last-mile gap?

    In Part 3, The “Last Mile” Problem, Jeff and I dig into the challenges of translating job descriptions into actual skill requirements, why employers and candidates often speak different languages, and how skills-based approaches can provide better visibility into workforce capability.

    We also explore the role of hands-on experience, mentorship, labs, job rotations, and practical assessments in helping candidates move beyond theoretical knowledge and demonstrate what they can actually do.

    Jeff also shares how SkillRex approaches skills measurement and workforce intelligence, including how organizations can establish a baseline of capabilities, identify skill gaps, measure skill growth, and use that data to make better workforce decisions.

    And we talk about something every organization is thinking about right now: How do you know whether your investments in people, training, and technology are actually working?

    From measuring skill yield to identifying where organizations should upskill versus hire, data can help employers make more informed decisions—and ultimately build a stronger, more resilient cybersecurity workforce.

    This is Part 3 of our four-part Project Cyber Ready series.

    Join me and Jeff Welgan as we explore what it really takes to bridge the gap between credentials and capability—and why proving what you can do may matter more than ever in today’s cybersecurity hiring market.

    🎧 Listen in and let’s keep the conversation going.

    Connect & Join the Movement:
    • 🌐 Website: https://wecyberup.org/
    • 💼 LinkedIn: Connect with Tony Bryan; Connect with Jeff Welgan
    • 🔔 Subscribe: Hit follow on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode in our 4-pillar rotation.
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    44 min
  • Part 2: The Supply Gap: Why the Talent Pipeline Is About to Shrink — With Will Markow

    Part 2: The Supply Gap: Why the Talent Pipeline Is About to Shrink — With Will Markow
    Sep 21 2026
    What happens when the cybersecurity talent pipeline itself starts to shrink?

    In this episode of Project Cyber Ready, I’m continuing our four-part series by sitting down with Will Markow, founder of FourOne Insights and the developer behind CyberSeek, to take a closer look at the data behind the cybersecurity workforce and what it tells us about the future of the talent pipeline.

    We’ve heard the headlines about hundreds of thousands of open cybersecurity jobs, but what do those numbers actually tell us? Will and I unpack the data behind the commonly cited workforce shortage figures and explore the difference between job openings, actual supply and demand, and the realities facing early-career versus experienced cybersecurity professionals.

    So what does this mean for employers, job seekers, educators, and workforce organizations?

    In Part 2, The Supply Gap: Why the Talent Pipeline Is About to Shrink, I explore the forces reshaping the cybersecurity workforce and the challenges we need to address before the pipeline contracts even further.

    Will and I also discuss skills-based hiring, including how removing unnecessary bachelor’s degree requirements can expand the talent pool and reduce hiring costs. We talk about how traditional HR processes can create barriers for qualified candidates and how AI is changing the hiring process by making it easier for candidates to apply—and harder for employers to identify true proficiency.

    We also explore what employers can gain by looking beyond traditional credentials and investing in talent-friendly practices like mentorship, personalized skills development, and stretch assignments—and how these approaches can impact hiring, retention, and the cost of building a cybersecurity team.

    The cybersecurity workforce isn't standing still. Between changing hiring practices, AI, shifting employer needs, and the challenges facing the talent pipeline, we're entering a new phase—and understanding what the data is really telling us is an important first step toward preparing for what's next.

    This is Part 2 of our four-part Project Cyber Ready series.

    Join me and Will Markow as we dig into the data, look beyond the headlines, and explore what employers and communities can do to build a stronger cybersecurity workforce pipeline.

    🎧 Listen in and let’s keep the conversation going.

    Connect & Join the Movement:

    • Website: https://wecyberup.org/
    • LinkedIn: Connect with Tony Bryan | Connect with Will Markow
    • Subscribe: Hit follow on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode in our 4-pillar rotation.
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    42 min
  • Part 1: The Broken Handoff: When “Job-Ready” Gets Lost in Translation

    Part 1: The Broken Handoff: When “Job-Ready” Gets Lost in Translation
    Sep 16 2026
    What happens when “job-ready” means different things to educators and employers?

    In this episode of Project Cyber Ready, I’m kicking off a four-part series exploring one of the biggest challenges I see in the cybersecurity workforce: the broken handoff between training and hiring.

    We have a massive and growing cybersecurity training ecosystem producing tens of thousands of candidates each year. At the same time, employers are navigating a very different reality—one shaped by risk, compliance requirements, changing hiring practices, and the need for measurable, immediately applicable skills.

    So why aren't those two sides connecting more effectively?

    In Part 1, The Broken Handoff: When “Job-Ready” Gets Lost in Translation, I unpack the different realities facing employers and educators, how advisory boards can unintentionally create isolated pockets of readiness, and why localized feedback doesn't always translate across the broader job market.

    I also share three steps I believe can help us start bridging that divide:
    1. Shift from opinions to frameworks. Use established frameworks like NIST/NICE, CMMC, and CIS Controls to create a shared language around cybersecurity skills.
    2. Standardize around regional market demands. Establish a common baseline for entry-level cybersecurity roles while still accounting for the unique workforce needs of each community.
    3. Share resources across pathways. Find ways for universities, community colleges, workforce organizations, and training providers to share resources, hands-on environments, and knowledge rather than operating in silos.

    We don't need to eliminate advisory boards or industry collaboration. We need to make those connections clearer, more objective, and more scalable.

    This is Part 1 of our four-part Project Cyber Ready series.

    Join me as we look at what it will take to build a stronger connection between cybersecurity education, employers, and the workforce.

    🎧 Listen in and let’s keep the conversation going.


    Connect & Join the Movement:
    • Website: https://wecyberup.org/
    • LinkedIn: Connect with Tony Bryan
    • Subscribe: Hit follow on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode in our 4-pillar rotation.
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    34 min
  • From LevelUp Cyber to Project Cyber Ready: The Mission Expands

    From LevelUp Cyber to Project Cyber Ready: The Mission Expands
    Aug 14 2026
    Welcome back! If you noticed a new title and artwork in your podcast feed today, you are in the right place. We are officially evolving from LevelUp Cyber to Project Cyber Ready.Over the past year, Executive Director Tony Bryan and the CyberUp team have been doing deep work on the ground—listening to employers, educators, and community leaders to answer a critical question: Why are traditional workforce models failing both companies and candidates in a post-AI world?The answer became crystal clear: We don't have a technology problem in cybersecurity—we have a readiness problem.In this relaunch episode, Tony breaks down why CyberUp is expanding its vision to address total regional readiness by connecting what everyone else separates: protecting our communities, sharpening workforce development, and delivering Day-1 ready talent to employers.In this episode, you’ll discover:
    • The Core Shift: Why cybersecurity isn't just an IT problem—it’s an economic resilience and safety issue.
    • Expanding PowerUp: How we’re protecting the entire community spectrum, from birth-to-5 youth safety to shielding seniors (65+) from digital scams.
    • Dialing In LevelUp: Why the traditional "entry-level" cyber role is dead, and how targeted, 30-day skill sprints produce Day-1 ready hires.
    • The 4-Pillar Rotation: What to expect from Project Cyber Ready moving forward across Industry, Education, Community, and Leadership.
    Connect & Join the Movement:
    • Website: https://wecyberup.org/
    • LinkedIn: Connect with Tony Bryan
    • Subscribe: Hit follow on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode in our 4-pillar rotation.
    PowerUp your community. LevelUp your workforce. Stay cyber ready.
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    14 min
  • Ep 118: A Dive into Multi-Factor Authentication with Sairam Durgaraju

    Ep 118: A Dive into Multi-Factor Authentication with Sairam Durgaraju
    Dec 17 2024
    Join host Tony Bryan, Executive Director of CyberUp, as he sits down with cybersecurity expert Sairam Durgaraju for an in-depth discussion on Multi-Factor Authentication.

    In this episode, they'll dive deep into the importance of MFA, explore its various methods, and uncover how this essential security measure can safeguard your digital identity against modern threats.

    From practical tips to real-world applications, Sairam will provide valuable insights and expert advice to help you stay secure in an increasingly digital world.

    Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation that will elevate your understanding of cybersecurity!
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    32 min
  • Ep 117: LinkedIn Best Practices with Jessica Cassidy

    Ep 117: LinkedIn Best Practices with Jessica Cassidy
    Dec 13 2024
    Join host Tony Bryan, Executive Director of CyberUp, and special guest Jessica Cassidy, OPCyberTalent Practice Lead, as they discuss LinkedIn Best Practices and their intersection with cybersecurity careers. Discover tips to enhance your profile, build meaningful connections, and position yourself as a cybersecurity professional ready for the challenges of the digital age.

    Don’t miss this opportunity to level up your career strategy! Tune in now.
    #Cybersecurity #LevelUpCyber #LinkedInBestPractices
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    35 min
  • Ep 116: Ask a CISO with Steve Zalewski

    Ep 116: Ask a CISO with Steve Zalewski
    Dec 5 2024
    Join host Tony Bryan, Executive Director of CyberUp, as he welcomes Steve Zalewski, Cybersecurity Advisor at S3 Consulting and former Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Levi Strauss & Co., for an exciting episode.

    Get an exclusive peek into the world of a CISO as Steve shares how to tackle today’s biggest cyber threats, practical advice for professionals aiming to break into or grow in the cybersecurity field and answers to the questions you’ve always wanted to ask a CISO!

    Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights and actionable tips you won’t want to miss.
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    34 min