The show that decrypts the secrets of offensive cybersecurity, one byte at a time. Every week I invite you into the world of ethical hacking by interviewing lea...
#38 Fired or Freed? Turning a Cybersecurity Layoff into Your Next Big Break w Justin Mahon
Getting laid off can feel like the end of the road, but what if it’s actually the beginning of something bigger? In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Justin Mahon shares his journey from military IT to offensive security, including how he bounced back after a cybersecurity layoff and landed in a better position than before. We break down the reality of tech layoffs, why they happen, and how to turn them into opportunities for career growth. Whether you're navigating a layoff, preparing for the worst, or just looking to future-proof your cybersecurity career, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss! Connect with Justin Mahon on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mahon22/Connect---------------------------------------------------https://www.KyserClark.comhttps://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletterhttps://youtube.com/KyserClarkhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClarkhttps://www.twitter.com/KyserClarkhttps://www.instagram/KyserClarkhttps://facebook.com/CyberKyserhttps://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurityhttps://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclarkhttps://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YYMusic by Karl Casey @ White Bat AudioAttention 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.
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#37 He Hacked for 1000 Days Straight: Here’s How It Landed Him a Cybersecurity Job ft. Constantinos Kaplanis
In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I sit down with Constantinos Kaplanis, a senior penetration tester who took an unconventional path into cybersecurity. With no prior IT experience, he grinded his way into the field—applying to 500 jobs, enduring countless rejections, and proving his skills through sheer persistence. One of his biggest accomplishments? A 1,000-day hacking streak on TryHackMe, a testament to his dedication. We break down his journey, the job-hunting struggles, and the underrated attack vectors he’s exploited in real-world pentests. If you’re trying to break into cybersecurity, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! Connect with Constantinos Kaplanis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckaplanis/Connect---------------------------------------------------https://www.KyserClark.comhttps://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletterhttps://youtube.com/KyserClarkhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClarkhttps://www.twitter.com/KyserClarkhttps://www.instagram/KyserClarkhttps://facebook.com/CyberKyserhttps://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurityhttps://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclarkhttps://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YYMusic by Karl Casey @ White Bat AudioAttention 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.
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#36 The OSCP Won’t Save You ft. Tyler Ramsbey
Many aspiring penetration testers believe that earning the OSCP is the ultimate proof of their skills—but what happens when they step into a real-world engagement? In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Tyler Ramsbey joins me to break down the hard truth about OSCP, the gaps it leaves in real-world pentesting, and why experience always outweighs certifications. We discuss rookie mistakes, the reality of internal assessments, and why leadership and communication skills are just as critical as technical expertise. Whether you're chasing the OSCP or already have it, this episode will challenge what you think you know about offensive security. Connect with Tyler Rambey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-ramsbey-86221643/Subscribe to Tyler Ramsbey on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TylerRamsbeyCheck out the Hack Smarter Community: https://hacksmarter.org/Connect---------------------------------------------------https://www.KyserClark.comhttps://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletterhttps://youtube.com/KyserClarkhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClarkhttps://www.twitter.com/KyserClarkhttps://www.instagram/KyserClarkhttps://facebook.com/CyberKyserhttps://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurityhttps://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclarkhttps://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YYMusic by Karl Casey @ White Bat AudioAttention 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.
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#35 Q&A: The Harsh Truth: You NEED to Code for Cybersecurity Mastery
If you want to be an expert in cybersecurity, coding isn’t optional—it’s essential. In this Q&A episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I break down why learning to code separates the entry-level professionals from the true experts and how AI is shifting the skills needed in offensive security. I also dive into the different career paths available after landing your first pentesting job—whether it’s climbing to a senior role, transitioning to red teaming, going freelance, or specializing in niche areas like IoT and hardware hacking. Plus, I answer listener questions about cybersecurity certifications, the safest jobs against AI, and how to balance learning Python with hands-on hacking experience. If you're serious about growing in cybersecurity, this episode is for you. Connect---------------------------------------------------https://www.KyserClark.comhttps://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletterhttps://youtube.com/KyserClarkhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClarkhttps://www.twitter.com/KyserClarkhttps://www.instagram/KyserClarkhttps://facebook.com/CyberKyserhttps://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurityhttps://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclarkhttps://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YYMusic by Karl Casey @ White Bat AudioAttention 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.
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#34 Why Top Pentesters Make More Money (Most Ignore This Skill) ft. Spencer Alessi
Kyser Clark sits down with senior penetration tester Spencer Alessi to discuss a skill that separates top-tier pentesters from the rest—client communication. While technical prowess is essential, Spencer shares how clear, proactive communication can make or break a pentest engagement, impact client trust, and even determine career growth. They also dive into the common struggle of pentesting ultra-secure environments, how to navigate “quiet” assessments, and why 99% of vulnerabilities don’t actually matter. Whether you’re an aspiring pentester or a seasoned professional, this conversation offers valuable insights into what it really takes to succeed in offensive security. Connect with Spencer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spenceralessi/and everywhere else @techspenceConnect---------------------------------------------------https://www.KyserClark.comhttps://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletterhttps://youtube.com/KyserClarkhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClarkhttps://www.twitter.com/KyserClarkhttps://www.instagram/KyserClarkhttps://facebook.com/CyberKyserhttps://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurityhttps://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclarkhttps://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YYMusic by Karl Casey @ White Bat AudioAttention 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.
The show that decrypts the secrets of offensive cybersecurity, one byte at a time. Every week I invite you into the world of ethical hacking by interviewing leading offensive security practitioners. If you are a penetration tester, bug bounty hunter, red teamer, or blue teamer who wants to better understand the modern hacker mindset, whether you are new or experienced, this show is for you.
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