An introduction to cybersecurity - from physical breaches to digital intrusions
Coding Chats episode 49 - John Crickett and Kev Milne delve into the critical realm of cybersecurity, exploring its various facets from social engineering to the importance of penetration testing. They discuss the evolution of attacks, the role of AI, and the significance of mainframes in modern security. The conversation also highlights the career paths in cybersecurity and the necessity for continuous investment in security measures to protect digital assets.Chapters00:00 Understanding Cybersecurity03:38 The Evolution of Attacks: Physical vs. Digital06:18 Social Engineering: The Art of Deception09:15 The Importance of Penetration Testing12:02 Career Paths in Cybersecurity14:49 The Diverse Landscape of Cybersecurity17:56 The Necessity of Ongoing Security Measures20:34 The Cost of Neglecting Cybersecurity25:48 The Evolution of Wi-Fi Security27:04 Mainframes: The Misunderstood Giants28:15 Mainframe Security: Myths and Realities30:02 The Challenge of Legacy Code32:20 Balancing Security and Functionality34:12 Defense in Depth: A Security Strategy35:35 AI's Role in Cybersecurity37:50 The Threat Landscape: Script Kiddies and Beyond38:34 Training the Next Generation of Cybersecurity Experts41:36 The Importance of Conferences in CybersecurityKev's Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmilne/Website where folks can obtain the Mainframe Offensive Security Tester course, download the Gibson Mainframe Simulator or purchase the Cyber Coach labs: https://offensivesec.orgTry out some free labs Kev has created: https://cyber-coach-labs-bd010da0.base44.app/FreeLabsJohn's Links:John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickettJohn's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickettJohn's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.socialCheck out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.TakeawaysCybersecurity is essential for protecting digital assets.Social engineering remains a significant threat today.Red teaming involves advanced penetration testing techniques.Understanding networking is crucial for aspiring penetration testers.Mainframes are still vital for processing transactions.AI can both aid and complicate cybersecurity efforts.Continuous investment in cybersecurity is necessary for businesses.Penetration testing should be a standard practice for all companies.Security requires a layered defense approach.Conferences are valuable for staying updated in cybersecurity.
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Career growth strategies in software engineering: start-ups vs bigtech
Coding Chats episode 48 - John Crickett and Gilad Naor explore the differences between working at startups and big tech companies, discussing the pros and cons of each environment. They delve into career growth, the importance of mentorship, and the balance between specialization and generalization in tech careers. The discussion also covers the management track versus individual contributor roles, the role of managers in creating positive change, and the significance of interview preparation. Additionally, they highlight the value of side projects and the necessity for managers to build empathy through understanding various roles within their organizations. The conversation concludes with advice on taking ownership of one's career and the importance of continuous personal development.Chapters00:00 Startups vs. Big Tech: A Comparative Overview03:19 Navigating Career Growth in Tech06:08 The Reality of Big Tech Work09:06 Specialization vs. Generalization in Tech Careers11:39 The Management Track: Leadership vs. Management14:28 Creating Positive Change as a Manager17:14 Interview Preparation for Managers20:33 Choosing the Right Stories for Interviews26:59 Navigating Conflict in Technical Leadership29:12 Addressing Gaps in Management Experience32:15 Interview Strategies for Senior Roles35:17 Demonstrating Depth of Experience in Interviews38:52 The Role of Side Projects in Personal Development42:02 The Importance of Technical Empathy in Management47:32 Taking Ownership of Your CareerGilad's Links:Gilad's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giladnaorGilad's Website: https://managementdeltas.com/ John's Links:John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickettJohn's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickettJohn's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.socialCheck out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.TakeawaysWorking at startups allows for a broader range of experiences.Big tech offers more mentorship opportunities for career growth.The term 'startup' can encompass a wide range of company sizes and structures.Career growth in tech often requires navigating internal mobility.Specialization can provide a competitive advantage in tech careers.Management and leadership are distinct roles that require different skill sets.Interview preparation is crucial for both managers and individual contributors.Building empathy as a manager involves understanding various roles in the organization.Side projects can help maintain technical skills and foster personal development.Taking ownership of your career is essential for success.
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How to get jobs to come to you - a guide for staff+, directors, VPEngs and CTOs #jobhunting
Coding Chats episode 47 - Warren Beazley shares his extensive experience in recruiting CTOs and outlines a five-step process designed to help tech leaders navigate the job market effectively. He emphasizes the importance of understanding one's value proposition, building a strong network, creating engaging content, and actively engaging with potential employers. The discussion highlights the challenges posed by traditional job searching methods and the impact of AI on recruitment, while offering practical strategies for candidates to stand out in a competitive landscape.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Five-Step Process10:53 Understanding the Job Market Dynamics19:08 The Importance of Value Proposition27:57 Building Your Network Effectively36:17 Creating Engaging Content on LinkedIn42:46 Leveraging Personal Experiences for Content Creation45:32 The Importance of Storytelling in Professional Growth48:20 Detailing Achievements for Interviews50:12 Building a Library of Personal Stories52:49 Understanding LinkedIn's Algorithm and Engagement54:26 Ethical Stalking: Engaging with New Connections58:16 The Power of Meaningful Comments01:00:50 Recap of Five Steps for LinkedIn Success01:03:39 Transforming Your LinkedIn Profile into a Landing Page01:08:04 Creating Value Through Content and NetworkingJohn's Links:John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickettJohn's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickettJohn's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.socialCheck out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.TakeawaysThe traditional job search process is broken and needs a new approach.Understanding your value proposition is crucial for job seekers.Networking is essential; aim to connect with relevant individuals daily.Quality content creation is more important than quantity.Engaging with your network can lead to new opportunities.AI screening tools often miss qualified candidates due to keyword matching.Your LinkedIn profile should serve as a landing page, not just a CV.Consistency in posting content on LinkedIn can enhance visibility.Building relationships through meaningful comments is key to networking.Candidates should view themselves as a solution to potential employers' problems.
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Unlocking developer experience: the key to productivity and flow state for software engineers
Coding Chats episode 46 - John Crickett and Fernando Villalba delve into the concept of Developer Experience (DevEx) and its significance in software engineering. They discuss how optimizing for flow state can enhance productivity, the importance of effective tooling, and the role of a supportive work environment. The conversation also touches on team dynamics, the necessity of regular retrospectives, and the impact of meetings on developer flow. Ultimately, they emphasize that improving developer experience is not just beneficial for developers but is also a strategic advantage for companies.Chapters00:00 Understanding Developer Experience03:14 Optimizing for Flow State in Development05:56 The Importance of Tooling in Developer Experience08:36 Creating a Supportive Work Environment11:34 The Role of Developer Experience in Team Dynamics14:10 The Business Case for Investing in Developer Experience16:53 Improving Team Retrospectives for Better Developer Experience26:56 The Role of Daily Standups in Agile Teams32:36 Effective Meeting Practices and Rituals36:26 Understanding Scrum and Its Misinterpretations42:50 Optimizing Developer Experience for Flow StateFernando's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nandoit/John's Links:John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickettJohn's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickettJohn's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.socialCheck out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.TakeawaysGreat developer experience is about how easy it is for developers to get into a flow state.Optimizing for flow state can lead to better productivity and code quality.Tooling should allow developers to perform tasks in the least number of steps possible.A well-structured office environment can enhance developer focus and reduce distractions.Companies should invest in their developers' experience to improve overall output and satisfaction.Team dynamics and communication significantly impact developer experience.Regular retrospectives can help teams identify and eliminate friction points.Meetings should be purposeful and well-structured to avoid wasting time.Adapting methodologies to fit the team's needs is crucial for success.Creating a culture of care and support can enhance developer engagement.
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How to collaborate with recruiters as an engineering leader to find the best software engineers
Coding Chats episode 45 - Guy Allen and John Crickett discuss the dynamics between software engineers, hiring managers, and recruiters and how they can work together to recruit the best software engineers. They explore effective strategies for collaboration, the importance of clear communication, and the impact of recruitment models on candidate experiences. The discussion emphasizes the need for engagement, the significance of tailored job specifications, and the value of building long-term relationships with recruiters. Additionally, they touch on the role of AI in recruitment and the necessity of maintaining a human touch in the hiring process.Chapters00:28 How hiring managers can work effectively with recruiters10:37 What else can a hiring manager do to work effectively with a recruiter?17:39 How important is a clear job spec and sharing details with the recruiter?Guy's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/company/futura-talent/https://futura-talent.com/John's Links:John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickettJohn's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickettJohn's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.socialCheck out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.TakeawaysSoftware engineers should engage actively with recruiters.Hiring managers need to provide clear job specifications.More recruiters do not guarantee better results.Building relationships with recruiters is essential.Engagement leads to better candidate experiences.Quality over quantity in job applications is crucial.Clear communication improves recruitment outcomes.Understanding different recruitment models is important.Human interaction enhances the recruitment process.AI should not replace the human element in hiring.
On Coding Chats, John Crickett interviews software engineers of all levels from junior to CTO. He encourages the guests to share the stories of the challenges they have faced in their role and the strategies and tactics they have used to overcome those challenges providing actionable insights other software engineers can use to accelerate their careers.
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