Ep 13 - Finding Your Passion in Cybersecurity with Dave Chronister

Hackers to Founders

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 training and top-tier speakers. From building one of the largest exchange server deployments to advising global leaders, Dave has been featured on CNN and CNBC for his expertise. Join us as he shares his journey from a small-town IT tech to a global cybersecurity icon, blending technical mastery with insights on business, AI, and creating impactful conferences. You won’t want to miss this!

1. People and Speakers

• Dave Chronister: Cybersecurity expert, founder of Parameter Security, creator of ShowMeCon.
• Chris REal0day: Co-interviewer or participant in the conversation with Dave Chronister.
• French Minister of Defense - Mentioned as a speaker at a conference where Dave Chronister was a keynote speaker.

2. Companies and Organizations

• Parameter Security: Cybersecurity firm founded by Dave Chronister.
• ECCouncil: Organization offering certifications like CEH and facilitating cybersecurity training.
• EuroPol: European Union's law enforcement agency, involved in cybersecurity collaborations.
• FBI: U.S. federal law enforcement agency, referenced in cybersecurity operations.
• Fortinet: Cybersecurity company mentioned in the context of speaker quality.

3. Conferences

• ShowMeCon: InfoSec conference organized by Dave Chronister.
• Def Camp: Cybersecurity conference held in Bucharest, Romania.
• Positive Hack Days (PHDays): Cybersecurity conference held in Moscow, Russia.
• Black Hat: Leading business-focused cybersecurity conference.
• DEF CON: Grassroots hacking conference focused on InfoSec enthusiasts.
• RSA Conference: Government-focused cybersecurity conference.

4. Certifications and Courses

• CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional, taught by Dave Chronister.
• CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker certification, taught by Dave Chronister.
• Security Plus: Foundational cybersecurity certification taught by Dave.

5. Pop Culture References

• Animal House: Mentioned as the basis for Mizzou's party reputation.

6. Books

• Find Your Why by Simon Sinek - A book that helps individuals and organizations discover their purpose and align their actions accordingly​
• Traction by Gino Wickman - Focused on the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) framework, helping businesses gain clarity and improve execution​
• Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters - Explores the relationship between visionaries and integrators in business, emphasizing the need for complementary roles to drive success​
• Value-Based Fees by Alan Weiss - A guide for service-based businesses on pricing based on value delivered rather than hours worked​
• Vivid Vision by Cameron Herold - A book on creating a clear and compelling vision for businesses and teams to rally around​
• Who Not How by Dan Sullivan - A book on delegating effectively and focusing on what you do best by surrounding yourself with the right people​
• Living the Best Year Ever - A book with worksheets and tools for setting and achieving personal and professional goals
• The Home MBA - A curated list of books for learning business fundamentals