I Failed Over 300 Times Trying To Get Into Security ft. Joe South

Hacker Valley Studio

Joe South is a testament to resilience, unconventional decisions, and finding success in unexpected places. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a rut or on the verge of giving up, Joe’s experience might be the jolt you need to keep pushing forward.

Joe, Principal Security Engineer and host of the “Security Unfiltered” podcast, shares his journey into cybersecurity and battling depression after being rejected more than 300 times when applying for security roles. Joe shares advice on breaking into cybersecurity, dealing with rejection, the importance of mentorship, and staying persistent.

00:00 Introduction

01:00 Joe South, Principal Security Engineer and Host of the Security Unfiltered podcast

02:34 Early Career Struggles and Breakthrough

03:59 The Turning Point: From Help Desk to Cybersecurity

06:44 Rejection and Finding Success

11:17 Advice for Aspiring Cybersecurity Professionals

16:19 The Importance of Continuous Learning in Cybersecurity

18:10 Join the Hacker Valley Creative Mastermind!

19:10 Securing AI Models: Challenges and Strategies

20:10 The Importance of Communication in Security

21:22 Experience and Career Advancement

21:52 Rethinking Success: The Value of Being Number Two

23:57 Pressure and Rewards of Being a CISO

26:16 The Benefits of Podcasting and Content Creation

32:28 Balancing Personal and Public Information

35:27 Overcoming Adversity and Putting Yourself Out There

38:01 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Content Creators

Links:

Connect with our guest, Joe South: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-south/

Check out the Security Unfiltered podcast here: https://securityunfiltered.com

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