Episodes

What if AI-powered security could eliminate human errors in cybersecurity? Meet the founder making it happen. In this episode of Hackers to Founders, I sit down with Patrick Ben Thomas, the founder of NullZec and its advanced malware development division, Shadow Mask. Patrick shares his journey from early cybersecurity research to building a solution designed to eliminate human errors and prevent malware from spreading. We discuss how his team integrates sandboxing, zero-trust architecture, and...

What if AI could predict and prevent cyber fraud before it happens? Meet the founder making it possible " On this episode of Hackers to Founders, we feature Zara Perumal, the CTO and co-founder of Overwatch Data. The episode explores Zara’s journey from an early fascination with computer science, influenced by her software developer father, to her evolution into a cybersecurity and AI entrepreneur. Zara recounts her first steps into coding, beginning with HTML at age 11 and later developing iOS ...

Who created the CVE system? That's Adam! In this insightful episode of "Hackers to Founders," host Chris REal0day Magistrado welcomes Adam Shostack, a renowned cybersecurity expert and co-creator of the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) system. Adam recounts his journey from a curious and geeky childhood, engaging in activities like D&D and building with Legos, to his influential career in cybersecurity. He delves into his early experiences at Brigham and Women's Hospital, where he firs...

How do you defend Fox News, hedge funds, and global networks while building groundbreaking startups? John Terrill shares his journey. In this episode of Hackers for Founders, cybersecurity executive John Terrill shares his fascinating journey from a curious 12-year-old attending 2600 meetings in Atlanta to becoming a seasoned CISO and co-founder of Drawbridge Networks. He delves into the formative experiences that shaped his career, including his early exposure to security research at Internet ...

Vivek's passion for solving nuanced, bleeding-edge problems in cybersecurity led him to found SquareX, a browser-native security product that addresses client-side web attacks. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity, community engagement, and leveraging one’s expertise to create scalable solutions. Additionally, Vivek delves into the challenges and lessons of entrepreneurship, stressing the significance of realistic goals, understanding market needs, and networking with advisors and peers ...

From crimping cables to advising the French Minister of Defense—Dave Chronister’s journey is unreal! Step into the world of cybersecurity with Dave Chronister, a trailblazer whose career spans decades of groundbreaking achievements. As the founder of Parameter Security, Dave has helped organizations across heavily regulated industries protect their technology, data, and reputation through cutting-edge strategies. He also launched ShowMeCon, a premier InfoSec conference known for its hands-on tr...

Interested in the Darknet and untold stories of the internet?? On this episode of Hackers to Founders, Chris and Jack Rhysider explore the art of podcasting, focusing on Jack’s journey with Darknet Diaries and his evolution as a storyteller. They discuss community building, creating superfans, and the challenges of reaching out to guests, along with the complexities of expanding into new languages. Jack shares insights on integrating AI into creative processes, crafting immersive audio, and the ...

Want to start your own pentesting consultancy/business? Listen how ApolloGuard created their own pentesting company, offering high-value services in a competitive market. The podcast explores the journey of Daniel Amidon and Pujan Shah, co-founders of ApolloGuard, a cybersecurity company specializing in offensive security. Daniel shares his transition from being a self-taught hacker mentored in vulnerability research to becoming a cybersecurity entrepreneur. Pujan highlights his path from study...

From wrestling bears to conquering cybersecurity, Philip Wylie shares his thrilling journey of resilience, self-learning, and mentorship, offering insights into the evolving cybersecurity landscape, podcasting, and building a personal brand. In this conversation, Philip Wylie shares his journey from wrestling bears and pro wrestling to becoming a prominent figure in cybersecurity, emphasizing self-learning, adaptability, mentorship, community building, and the evolving landscape of cybersecurit...

Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/NWN3ehgmwP In this episode of the Hackers to Founder podcast, host Chris REal0day interviews Maxie Reynolds, a pioneer in sustainable technology and cybersecurity. Maxie shares her unique journey from working offshore as a ROV pilot to founding Subsea Cloud, a company focused on underwater data centers. She discusses overcoming family expectations, her experiences in the offshore industry, and her transition into cybersecurity. The conversation also touches ...

In this episode of Hackers to Founders, Chris Magistrado interviews Marcus Sailler, a seasoned expert in cybersecurity with over 25 years of experience. They discuss Marcus's journey from the military to leading red teams, the importance of understanding business impact in cybersecurity, and the nuances of interviewing in the field. Marcus shares insights on building effective red teams, the significance of program development, and how aspiring professionals can transition from pen testing to re...

Chris REal0day interviews Lauro Perez, a seasoned software engineer and cybersecurity enthusiast, exploring his journey from a young computer enthusiast to a professional in the field. Lauro shares pivotal career moments, including a life-changing scholarship, navigating job offers, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the importance of mentorship. The conversation highlights AI’s role in learning, the evolution of cybersecurity, and challenges like ransomware-as-a-service and bug bounty programs. ...

In this episode, Chris interviews Sid, a prominent figure in the cybersecurity field, discussing his journey from a small town in India to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the UK. Sid shares insights about his early education, the importance of peers in his career, and the transition from corporate life to founding his own company, NotSoSecure. He emphasizes the significance of training in scaling his business and reflects on the acquisition of his company, highlighting the challenges and r...

In this episode of the Hackers to Founders podcast, host Chris REal0day interviews Greg Martin, a prominent figure in the cybersecurity field. Greg shares his journey from a young hacker in a small Texas town to becoming the CEO of Go Security. He discusses his early fascination with computers, the rise of Linux, and his first job at a local ISP. As he transitioned into the world of data centers and cloud computing, Greg also recounts his experiences working with law enforcement agencies like th...

In this episode, Chris interviews Hannah Latonick, a cybersecurity expert with over 18 years of experience. They discuss Hannah's journey into cybersecurity, her experiences with Capture the Flag competitions, her role at Dark Wolf Solutions, and her insights on government contracts and networking. Hannah shares valuable advice for aspiring cybersecurity entrepreneurs and highlights innovative projects her team is working on, including a focus on drone technology and vulnerability research. In t...

In this episode, Chris Real0day interviews Alan Braithwaite, Co-Founder and CTO of RunReveal. They discuss Alan's journey from hacker to entrepreneur, his literary influences, the philosophical foundations of his work in cybersecurity, and the importance of curiosity and learning in the hacker mindset. Alan shares insights from his early experiences with gaming, his education, and his career at Cloudflare and Segment, highlighting the lessons learned along the way. The conversation culminates in...

Umit Aksu (@MobileHackingLab) In this episode, host Chris "REal0day" Magistrado sits down with Umit Aksu, Founder of Mobile Hacking Lab. Umit shares his journey into cybersecurity and reflects on his experience working with leading organizations like ING, DarkMatter, and Microsoft. From his work at these industry giants to the creation of Mobile Hacking Lab, Umit’s insights reveal the depth and passion that drive his commitment to cybersecurity education. Key Highlights in This Episode: - Umit...

Jordan Wiens (@psifertex) Welcome to Episode 1 featuring host Chris "REal0day" Magistrado and special guest Jordan Wiens, @psifertex, co-founder of Vector 35 and creator of Binary Ninja. In this episode, we discuss Jordan's journey from network defense to founding Vector 35, the unique features of Binary Ninja, and the evolving landscape of reverse engineering tools. We also delve into pricing strategies, sales processes, handling administrative challenges, and the impact of market dynamics on...

Welcome to the 0 episode of "Hackers to Founders"! Join Chris Magistrado, aka REal0day, as he dives into his unique journey from gaming glitches to becoming a cybersecurity expert, business enthusiast, and podcast host. In this inaugural episode, Chris self-interviews, sharing personal stories, career advice, and essential insights for aspiring cybersecurity professionals. Connect with Us: Twitter - https://x.com/HackerToFounder Instagram - https://instagram.com/hackerstofounders TikTok -- http...