K.O.’s Launchpad: An Infosec Podcast
I started out wrapping burritos at Chipotle, dreaming of something bigger but not quite sure where to go. Over time, that drive to learn and grow led me into cybersecurity—an industry where the stakes are high and the stories are endlessly fascinating. K.O.’s Launchpad is my way of opening the door for anyone curious about how to break in, level up, and find purpose in a field that’s shaping our digital future. In every episode, we’ll chat with experts, share practical strategies, and explore the gritty realities (and victories) that come with protecting data, people, and organizations in a tech-driven world. This podcast is built around real talk: the ups, the downs, and the moments when you know you’re onto something big. I believe that if you have the heart to hustle, no challenge is too big—cybersecurity included. Whether you’re aiming to get your first security gig, sharpen your offensive or defensive skills, master GRC, or lead with confidence, you’ll find the insights and inspiration here. Join me each week as we tackle the front lines of cyber and give you a roadmap to success.
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Episodes
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
In this episode, I sit down with Mike McPhee, a principal solutions engineer at Cisco, to explore his expansive career in cybersecurity. We delve into his early experiences in the US Navy, his journey through multiple degrees and certifications, including the prestigious GIAC Security Expert, and the lessons he learned from challenging roles in the defense sector. Mike emphasizes the importance of combining passion with career goals, setting boundaries to avoid burnout, and the value of continuous learning and curiosity. He also shares insights on public speaking, managing stress, and the importance of authenticity in solutions architecture.
00:00 Introduction to Mike McPhee
01:46 Mike's Family and Upbringing
04:36 Military Service and Lessons Learned
13:39 Transition to Civilian Life and Career
24:34 Navigating Career Challenges
45:34 The Ongoing Negotiation with Your Employer
46:28 Navigating Career Changes at Cisco
50:22 The Journey to Specialization
53:43 The Value of Certifications
56:22 The Importance of Passion in Cybersecurity
01:13:37 Tool School and Continuous Learning
01:16:01 Public Speaking and Storytelling
01:24:44 Final Thoughts and Advice
People mentioned:
Jefferson Fisher - a Texas board-certified personal injury attorney, law firm owner of Fisher Firm, and communication expert
Moses Frost - Senior Instructor at SANS Institute
John Strand - Senior Instructor at SANS Institute, owner and security analyst at Black Hills Information Security
Heath Adams - also known as The Cyber Mentor, CEO and founder of TCM Security
Tim Medin - a Principal Consultant and Founder at Red Siege
Rachel Tobac - a hacker and the CEO of SocialProof Security
Deviant Ollam - a physical penetration specialist, author of Practical Lock Picking and Keys to the Kingdom, and a member of the Board of Directors of the US division of The Open Organisation Of Lockpickers (TOOOL)
Ben Macintyre - a British author, historian, and columnist known for his engaging narratives about espionage and historical events
Organizations mentioned:
NATO - or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a political and military alliance of 32 countries from Europe and North America that guarantees their security and cooperation
US Department of Defense - provides the military forces needed to deter war, and to protect the security of the United States
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) - independent U.S. governmental agency established in 1958 for the research and development of vehicles and activities for the exploration of space within and outside Earth’s atmosphere
Cisco - a global tech giant known for networking equipment. They also offer well-respected networking and cybersecurity certifications (like CCNA, CCNP, CCIE) and solutions for enterprise security, networking, and infrastructure.
TCM Security - a cybersecurity company known for affordable, hands-on training and certifications, especially the PNPT (Practical Network Penetration Tester). They focus on realistic, practical red teaming and pentesting skills.
Black Hills Information Security - a well-respected cybersecurity firm offering penetration testing, red teaming, and defensive services. Also known for free, high-quality webcasts, training, and community resources through Antisyphon Training.
Red Siege - a boutique offensive security firm specializing in real-world adversary simulation and penetration testing. Known for producing solid tools, blogs, and educational content for red teamers and defenders.
SANS Institute - one of the most prestigious cybersecurity training providers globally. Offers in-depth training and certifications through GIAC, covering blue team, red team, incident response, management, and more. Known for their rigor and quality.
Certifications mentioned:
GSE (GIAC Security Expert) - GIAC’s most prestigious certification, proving deep mastery across multiple security domains. Requires other GIAC certs first. For elite-level professionals.
GSEC (GIAC Security Essentials Certification)- foundational cert covering general cybersecurity principles. Great for those starting out or in roles requiring broad security knowledge.
GCIH (GIAC Certified Incident Handler) - focuses on detecting, responding to, and resolving cybersecurity incidents. Ideal for SOC analysts and incident responders.
GCIA (GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst) - specializes in network traffic analysis, IDS/IPS, and detecting intrusions. Good for intrusion analysts and blue teamers.
CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) - entry-level cert for networking fundamentals, including routing, switching, and basic security. Good for NOC and network-focused roles.
CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert) - Cisco’s expert-level certification. Deep technical networking knowledge, often with specialization (e.g., Security, Data Center). Highly respected.
CCDE (Cisco Certified Design Expert) - expert-level cert focused on designing complex network architectures and infrastructures.
CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) - industry-leading cert for security leadership, policies, and management. Ideal for mid- to senior-level professionals, especially in governance and risk.
GSP (GIAC Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership) - focuses on security leadership, risk management, and business alignment. Great for management roles in security.
Mike McPhee's Socials:
Mike's LinkedIn
K.O.'s Socials:
K.O's Instagram
K.O.'s LinkedIn
K.O.'s TikTok
K.O.s Youtube
Watch this episode on Youtube:
K.O,'s Launchpad: An Infosec Podcast
Listen on the go:
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Follow our socials:
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Astro Information Security
Monday Mar 31, 2025
Monday Mar 31, 2025
In this episode of K.O.'s Launchpad: An Infosec Podcast, we dive into the inspiring journey of Simeon Kakpovi, the founder of the KC7 Foundation and a senior threat intelligence analyst at Microsoft. We discuss his transition from a network defender at Lockheed Martin to shaping a more inclusive future in cybersecurity through his nonprofit organization. Kakpovi shares his vision for breaking barriers in the industry, the importance of mentorship, and making cybersecurity accessible. We also explore his academic journey, the role of passion and mentorship, and how his diverse experiences have shaped his approach to creating opportunities for the next generation of cyber defenders. Tune in to learn how KC7 is revolutionizing cybersecurity education and what lies ahead for this impactful initiative.
00:00 Introduction to Today's Guest: Simeon Kakpovi
01:15 Simeon's Vision for KC7 Foundation
04:31 Simeon's Background and Early Influences
08:01 Journey Through Education and Early Career
17:03 Discovering a Passion for Cybersecurity
19:27 Internships and Early Professional Experiences
24:15 Transition to Full-Time Role and Specialization
32:14 Insights into Threat Intelligence and Blue Teaming
44:52 Taking a Shot: Career Progression in Threat Intelligence
45:31 Interview Process for Threat Intelligence Roles
46:43 The Role of a Threat Intelligence Analyst at Microsoft
47:25 The Importance of Context in Threat Intelligence
50:40 Defensive Strategies and the Cyber Kill Chain
54:11 The Journey and Future of a Threat Intelligence Career
55:04 Introducing KC7: A Game-Changer in Cybersecurity Education
59:05 Jibby's Journey: From Watchmaker to Cybersecurity Analyst
01:03:16 Breaking Barriers: Diversity and Inclusion in Cybersecurity
01:11:45 The Future of KC7 and Its Impact on Cybersecurity
01:18:35 Final Thoughts and Professional Advice
People Mentioned:
Jotham Ty - CEO of Gappify
Kate Nickels - Senior Director of Intelligence Operations at Red Canary and SANS Certified Instructor
John Doyle - Global Lead of Custom Intelligence Training Services at Mandiant
Ismael Valenzuela - Vice President Threat Research & Intelligence at Arctic Wolf, SANS Author & Senior Instructor
Jibby Saetang - Security Researcher at Microsoft Security & Threat Intel Content Lead at KC7 Foundation
Books Mentioned:
I Moved Your Cheese by Deepak Maholtra
Tools Mentioned:
KC7 Cyber - A cyber detetive game for hands-on SOC and threat-hunting practice
Mimikatz - open-source tool developed by Benjamin Delpy to expose vulnerabilities in Windows security. It can extract credentials such as passwords, hashes, and Kerberos tickets from a system's memory.
SEC530: Defensible Security Architecture and Engineering: Implementing Zero Trust for the Hybrid Enterprise
Organization/Community Mentioned:
ISSA
Year Up United
Events Mentioned:
Sans Institute New2Cyber - A program helping newcomers break into cybersecurity through training and mentorship
Listen to Jibby Saetang’s Episode:
EP 001 - JIBBY SAETANG’s Unconventional Path: From Watchmaker to Cybersecurity Pro in 1 Year (No IT Background or Certifications Needed)
Simeon Kakpovi's Socials:
Simeon's LinkedIn
K.O's Socials:
K.O's Instagram
K.O.'s LinkedIn
K.O.'s TikTok
K.O.s Youtube
Watch this episode on Youtube:
K.O,'s Launchpad: An Infosec Podcast
Listen on the go:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Follow our socials:
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
TikTok
Youtube
Visit our Website:
Astro Information Security
Monday Mar 24, 2025
Monday Mar 24, 2025
In this episode of K.O.'s Launchpad, we explore the extraordinary journey of Jibby Saetang, who transitioned from repairing watches to becoming a security researcher on Microsoft's GHOST team. Jibby shares his path from working in a family jewelry business to joining the cybersecurity industry, with no formal IT background. We delve into his experiences with the KC7 cyber detective game, which not only taught him cybersecurity skills but changed his way of thinking. Learn how Jibby navigated obstacles, leveraged his unique background, and the role mentorship played in his incredible career shift.
00:00 Introduction to Jibby Saetang's Unconventional Journey
01:57 Jibby's Early Life and Move to Thailand
04:41 Growing Up with Responsibilities
11:13 Academic Challenges and Life Lessons
16:42 Transition from Jewelry to Cybersecurity
27:14 Discovering a Passion for Cybersecurity
35:11 Finding Flow and Overcoming Barriers
38:41 Navigating Career Choices in Security
39:21 The Turning Point: Meeting Influential Mentors
40:08 Building Confidence and Competence
40:56 Overcoming Personal Challenges
42:11 Networking and Community Engagement
43:30 The Microsoft Opportunity
50:46 Barefoot Running and Mental Resilience
01:02:44 Finding Passion and Purpose in Cybersecurity
Game & Tools Mentioned:
KC7 Cyber - A cyber detetive game for hands-on SOC and threat-hunting practice
Try Hack Me - An interactive cybersecurity learning platform with guided labs and challenges
AntiSyphon Training - Affordable cybersecurity training with live courses and recorded content
Hack the Box - A hacking platform offering real-world penetration testing labs and challenges
Black Hills - A cybersecurity firm providing consulting, training, and offensive security services
People Mentioned:
Simeon Kakpovi - Threat Intel at Microsoft (MSTIC) & Founder of KC7
Wayman Ho - Senior Security Research Manager at Microsoft's GHOST
Greg Schloemer - Senior Threat Intel Analyst at Microsoft & VP at KC7 Foundation
Jesse Itzler - New York Times bestselling author, part owner of the Atlanta Hawks, and businessman
Sam Altman - CEO of OpenAI
Events Mentioned:
DEF CON - A major hacker conference with talks, villages, and competitions on cybersecurity and hacking
BSides - Community-driven security events focused on knowledge sharing and networking
Blue Team Con - A conference for defenders, focusing on security operations and threat mitigation
Sans Institute New2Cyber - A program helping newcomers break into cybersecurity through training and mentorship
Books Mentioned:
Born to Run by Chis McDougall
Concepts Mentioned:
Misogi - A challenging, transformative goal that pushes personal limits for growth
Ikigai - A Japanese concept for finding purpose by balancing passion, mission, vocation, and profession
Snowball Effect - Small actions or efforts that build momentum and lead to bigger results over time
4-Minute Mile - A metaphor for breaking perceived limits, inspired by Roger Bannister’s record-breaking run
Podcast Mentioned:
Huberman Lab: David Goggins: How to Build Immense Inner Strength
Jibby Saetang's Socials:
Jibby's LinkedIn
K.O's Socials:
K.O's Instagram
K.O.'s LinkedIn
K.O.'s TikTok
K.O.s Youtube
Watch this episode on Youtube:
K.O,'s Launchpad: An Infosec Podcast
Listen on the go:
Apple Podcasts
Follow our socials:
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
TikTok
Youtube
Visit our Website:
Astro Information Security