Hacker Proof HQ

Join us for an insightful conversation with Michael Farnum, founder of CYBR.SEC.CON (previously HOU.SEC.CON), as we explore cybersecurity, technology events, community building, artificial intelligence, career development, and Houston’s growing tech ecosystem. With over 30 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, Michael shares his journey building cybersecurity communities, organizing conferences, securing venues and funding, and creating opportunities through education, scholarships, and networking. We also discuss the evolving tech job market, university education, AI-powered event promotion, AI governance, regulation, and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). For cybersecurity professionals, aspiring technologists, entrepreneurs, and technology community builders, this episode offers insights into the people, ideas, and connections shaping the industry. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Cybersecurity Training with Emage Tech We’re partnering with Emage Tech to provide cybersecurity courses and practical tech training across Cloud, Kubernetes, Platform Engineering, DevSecOps, and AI. Get 5% off eligible courses with discount code HQPROOF. Explore courses: https://emagetech.io/training Discount code: HQPROOF ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Stay Connected with Hacker Proof HQ Join our newsletter for updates on upcoming events, podcast episodes, and services. https://www.hackerproofhq.com/blog ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Build with Jotform Get 50% off Jotform annual plans using our partner link. https://www.jotform.com/?partner=hackerproofhq Jotform is a no-code platform that helps builders launch forms, apps, and workflows. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Is Your Business Secure and SOC 2 Ready? Protect your business, strengthen your systems, and prepare for compliance with expert-led cybersecurity solutions. Start with a Free SOC 2 Readiness Assessment: https://www.hackerproofhq.com/soc2-readiness-assessment ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Explore Hacker Proof HQ Services We help businesses secure, scale, and stay compliant through: • Security Assessment & Compliance • Fractional CISO / Advisory • AI-Powered Security Agent Explore our services: https://www.hackerproofhq.com/#hphq-services ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Book a Free Consultation https://www.hackerproofhq.com/#book-consultation ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Connect with Hacker Proof HQ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackerproofhq TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hacker.proof X (Twitter): https://x.com/hackerproofhq LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hackerproofhq/ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Meet Our Team Femi | Video Editor https://www.instagram.com/femiodey/ Charity | Social Media Manager https://www.instagram.com/charity.okoloeze David Ewele | Digital Strategy https://www.instagram.com/witty_welz ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Inquiries and Suggestions Email: [email protected] Support Hacker Proof HQ Support our work and help us continue building cybersecurity awareness and community. Donate here: https://app.redcircle.com/shows/6fbd820c-fbca-4dc7-9efb-353a7d33f9eb/donation ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Enjoyed this episode? Follow or subscribe to Hacker Proof HQ for more conversations about cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, technology careers, innovation, and the people building the tech community. #Cybersecurity #ArtificialIntelligence #HoustonTech #TechCommunity #TechEvents

In this episode of the Hacker Proof HQ Podcast, we sit down with Bemi Anjous, a cybersecurity leader and adviser with extensive experience across the global oil & gas industry. Bemi shares insights from his international experience in Saudi Arabia, Russia, Dubai, and beyond, discussing cybersecurity frameworks, leadership, asset management, vendor selection, hiring, team development, and the growing impact of AI on cybersecurity and the workplace. We also explore what it takes to lead cybersecurity in complex organizations, protect critical assets, navigate different security frameworks, build effective teams, and stay ahead of an evolving threat landscape. A practical conversation for cybersecurity professionals, technology leaders, engineers, and anyone interested in cybersecurity, technology, and leadership. Connect with Bemi Anjous: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjous JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER Get cybersecurity insights, event updates, podcast episodes, and information about our services: https://www.hackerproofhq.com/blog GET 50% OFF JOTFORM ANNUAL PLANS https://www.jotform.com/?partner=hackerproofhq CHECK YOUR SOC 2 READINESS Take our free SOC 2 Readiness Assessment and receive a personalized report with your readiness score, top security gaps, and estimated audit timeline: https://www.hackerproofhq.com/soc2-readiness-assessment EXPLORE OUR SERVICES Security Assessments & Compliance, Fractional CISO / Advisory, and AI-Powered Security Agent: https://www.hackerproofhq.com/#hphq-services BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION Speak with our experts about your technology and cybersecurity needs: https://www.hackerproofhq.com/#book-consultation CONNECT WITH HACKER PROOF HQ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackerproofhq TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hacker.proof Twitter/X: https://x.com/hackerproofhq LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hackerproofhq/ For inquiries and suggestions: [email protected] If you enjoyed the conversation, follow the Hacker Proof HQ Podcast and share this episode with someone interested in cybersecurity, technology, or leadership. #Cybersecurity #CISO #AI #OilAndGas #CyberSecurityLeadership #ArtificialIntelligence

What does it really take to build a successful career in platform engineering, DevOps, Kubernetes, and other emerging areas of technology? In this episode, we sit down with Kena Ofoegbu, a platform engineer, to discuss his journey into tech, Kubernetes, technical recruiting, bootcamps, AI, and the evolving skills companies are looking for. Kena breaks down what Kubernetes is, how workloads and services work together within the Kubernetes ecosystem, and what companies expect when hiring platform engineering and DevOps specialists. We also explore one of the biggest questions facing technology professionals today: Is AI replacing DevOps jobs, or is it changing the skills professionals need to remain relevant? The conversation also covers AI bootcamps, technical interviews, job shadowing opportunities, cybersecurity, dashboards, and the future of technology careers. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction 00:29 – Meet Kena: From His Journey to Platform Engineering 01:03 – How Kena Became a Platform Engineer 05:53 – What Is Kubernetes? 08:57 – How Kubernetes Services Work Together 11:17 – What Is a Workload in Kubernetes? 13:18 – What Companies Look for When Hiring Platform Engineers 14:25 – The Importance of Tech Bootcamps 15:43 – How Companies Hire DevOps & Platform Engineering Specialists 16:48 – How Bootcamp Students Are Coached to Pass Technical Interviews 18:08 – Do Bootcamps Provide Job Shadowing Opportunities? 25:04 – Is AI Really Replacing DevOps Jobs? 30:43 – Top Tech Skills for Integrating AI Into Cybersecurity 37:56 – The Technical Impact of Dashboards 39:04 – HackerProofHQ: Goals & Vision 40:29 – How HackerProofHQ Leverages Corporate Sponsorships & Partnerships 41:10 – How the Community Can Support HackerProofHQ 43:15 – AI Bootcamps, Tech Recruiting & What’s Next 📰 JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER Stay updated on our future events, technology podcast episodes, cybersecurity insights, and services: https://www.hackerproofhq.com/blog 💼 SPONSOR Get 50% off Jotform annual plans using our partner link: https://www.jotform.com/?partner=hackerproofhq Jotform is a no-code platform that helps builders launch forms, apps, and workflows. 🔐 IS YOUR BUSINESS SECURE & SOC 2 READY? Protect your business, strengthen your systems, and prepare for compliance with expert-led cybersecurity solutions. Start with a Free SOC 2 Readiness Assessment. Answer 15 quick questions aligned with all 9 SOC 2 Common Criteria and receive a personalized report including: ✔ Your readiness score ✔ Your top 3 security gaps ✔ A realistic timeline to audit 📩 Your personalized report is delivered to your inbox in under 60 seconds. 👉 https://www.hackerproofhq.com/soc2-readiness-assessment 💼 EXPLORE OUR SERVICES We help businesses secure, scale, and stay compliant with: • Security Assessment & Compliance • Fractional CISO / Advisory • AI-Powered Security Agent 🔗 https://www.hackerproofhq.com/#hphq-services 📅 BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION Ready to take the next step? Speak with our experts about your technology and security needs. 👉 https://www.hackerproofhq.com/#book-consultation 📩 GET CYBERSECURITY INSIGHTS FOR FREE Want practical cybersecurity tips, compliance updates, and expert insights to help protect your business? Join our newsletter and explore our blog: 📩 https://www.hackerproofhq.com/blog 🔗 CONNECT WITH KENA OFOEGBU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennagq Cloud, Kubernetes, DevSecOps & AI Training: https://www.emagetech.io 🔗 CONNECT WITH HACKERPROOFHQ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackerproofhq TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hacker.proof Twitter/X: @hackerproofhq LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hackerproofhq/ 🔗 OUR TEAM 👨🏽 Femi – Video Editor https://www.instagram.com/femiodey/ 👩🏽‍🦱 Charity – Social Media Manager https://www.instagram.com/charity.okoloeze 👨🏽 David Ewele – Digital Strategy https://www.instagram.com/witty_welz 📧 For inquiries and suggestions: [email protected] ❤️ SUPPORT HACKERPROOFHQ If you enjoy our conversations and want to support what we do, you can make a donation here: https://app.redcircle.com/shows/6fbd820c-fbca-4dc7-9efb-353a7d33f9eb/donation If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone building a career in technology. #Kubernetes #DevOps #PlatformEngineering #Cybersecurity #ArtificialIntelligence #TechCareers #TechBootcamp #CloudComputing #AI #HackerProofHQ #DevSecOps

What does AI governance look like in the real world? In this episode of the Hacker Proof HQ Podcast, we sit down with Nataja Blakely, an AI Governance professional working across AI risk, technology, policy, cybersecurity, and business. She shares practical insights on responsible AI adoption, AI risk, bias, deepfakes, AI impersonation, cybersecurity, and the future of artificial intelligence. We also discuss how she built her career in AI governance, the skills and certifications that helped her along the way, and how professionals without a technical background can get started in the field. Nataja also introduces AI Confidence Club, her initiative focused on helping everyday people understand and use AI without unnecessary jargon. This conversation offers practical insights into AI governance, cybersecurity, GRC, career development, and the future of AI. TIMESTAMPS 00:31 Welcome & Appreciation for the Charlotte Event 01:14 Nataja Blakely Introduces Herself 02:10 How AI Governance Works When Companies Purchase AI Models 03:08 AI Used Internally vs. AI in Production Products 03:36 Working With Legal & Privacy Teams 04:04 Which Teams Find AI Adoption Most Challenging? 05:00 Which AI Models Are Companies Using? 06:56 AI Use Cases in Organizations 07:50 AI in the Energy Industry 08:33 AI Models and What Companies Use Them For 09:24 Getting Into AI Governance 10:29 Finding and Positioning Yourself for AI Opportunities 11:03 Building Confidence Without Having All the Skills 11:46 AI Courses & Certifications 12:45 How Long Do AI Certifications Take? 14:22 Is Technical Jargon a Barrier to Entering Tech? 15:10 How to Position Yourself on LinkedIn 16:07 What Was the Interview Process Like? 16:38 What AI Governance Frameworks Are Used? 17:45 Does Your Organization Have an AI Governance Policy? 18:14 Major AI Risks, Misuse & Mishandling 19:15 Balancing AI Governance With Profitability 20:26 Biggest Challenges in AI Governance 21:33 How to Get Into AI Governance Without a Tech Background 22:16 How Do You Test AI for Bias? 25:21 Deepfake Incidents & How to Handle Them 27:22 The Future of Superintelligence 29:54 Introducing AI Confidence Club 30:44 Should Doctors, Nurses & Other Professionals Learn AI? 31:21 How to Find & Join AI Confidence Club 31:51 Is AI Confidence Club Free? 32:19 AI Challenges in Cybersecurity 34:13 AI Impersonation 36:09 Using AI Tools in GRC 37:17 Closing Remarks CONNECT WITH HACKER PROOF HQ Website: https://www.hackerproofhq.com Newsletter & Blog: https://www.hackerproofhq.com/blog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackerproofhq TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hacker.proof Twitter: @hackerproofhq LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hackerproofhq/ EXPLORE OUR SERVICES Security Assessment & Compliance Fractional CISO / Advisory AI-Powered Security Agent Learn more: https://www.hackerproofhq.com/#hphq-services SOC 2 READINESS Is your business secure and SOC 2 ready? Start with a free SOC 2 Readiness Assessment: https://www.hackerproofhq.com/soc2-readiness-assessment BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION Speak with our experts about your technology and cybersecurity needs: https://www.hackerproofhq.com/#book-consultation GET 50% OFF JOTFORM Get 50% off Jotform annual plans using our partner link: https://www.jotform.com/?partner=hackerproofhq Jotform is a no-code platform that helps builders launch forms, apps, and workflows. SUPPORT HACKER PROOF HQ Donate to Hacker Proof HQ: https://app.redcircle.com/shows/6fbd820c-fbca-4dc7-9efb-353a7d33f9eb/donations OUR TEAM Femi – Video Editor https://www.instagram.com/femiodey/ Charity – Social Media Manager https://www.instagram.com/charity.okoloeze David Ewele – Digital Strategy https://www.instagram.com/witty_welz For inquiries and suggestions: [email protected] #AIGovernance #ResponsibleAI #ArtificialIntelligence #Cybersecurity #AIRisk #GRC #AIConfidence #FutureOfAI #HackerProofHQ

What does AI mean for careers, GovTech, software development, and the future of work? In this 6PM in Atlanta panel discussion, Victoria Owusu hosts Ava Toro, Jhante Charles, and Fanta-Marie Toure for an honest conversation about building and navigating tech in the AI era. The panel explores what actually works when landing a role in 2026, AI adoption in GovTech, moving beyond "vibe coding" into production-ready businesses, the realistic future of AI in the workplace, and how to navigate corporate politics. Whether you are building a career in tech, running a business, working in cybersecurity, or simply trying to understand where AI is taking the workplace, this conversation offers practical perspectives on what comes next. TIMESTAMPS 00:01 | Ava Toro introduces herself 00:28 | Fanta-Marie Toure introduces herself 01:04 | Jhante Charles introduces himself 01:53 | What inspired you to do what you do? 09:20 | What actually works to land a role in 2026? 15:00 | What does the GovTech landscape look like right now in terms of AI adoption? 17:03 | What do we need to move past "vibe coding" into production-ready business? 23:34 | What is the realistic forecast for AI in the workplace? 30:52 | How do we manage corporate politics? PANEL Victoria Owusu, Host | GRC Specialist Ava Toro | Global Researcher Jhante Charles | Cloud Engineer Consultant Fanta-Marie Toure | Cybersecurity Consultant 6PM in Atlanta brought together Atlanta's builders, founders, engineers, designers, and creators for conversations about the technology shaping what comes next. This is the full panel discussion from the event. 6PM in Atlanta will be back next year. CONNECT WITH THE PANELISTS Victoria Owusu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-owusu-48b191142 Ava Toro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avatoro Jhante Charles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhante-c-3b9b16173 Fanta-Marie Toure: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ftmba ABOUT HACKER PROOF HQ Hacker Proof HQ helps businesses secure, scale, and stay compliant through cybersecurity assessments, compliance support, fractional CISO advisory, and AI-powered security solutions. Learn more: https://www.hackerproofhq.com/ Join our newsletter for cybersecurity insights, event updates, our tech podcast, and more: https://www.hackerproofhq.com/blog Get 50% off Jotform annual plans: https://www.jotform.com/?partner=hackerproofhq BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION https://www.hackerproofhq.com/#book-consultation FREE SOC 2 READINESS ASSESSMENT Find your security gaps and get a free personalized SOC 2 readiness report: https://www.hackerproofhq.com/soc2-readiness-assessment CONNECT WITH US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackerproofhq TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hacker.proof X: https://x.com/hackerproofhq LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hackerproofhq/ For inquiries and suggestions: [email protected] If you enjoyed the episode, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone building a career in AI or technology. #6PMinAtlanta #AtlantaTech #AI #GovTech #FutureOfWork #Careers #HackerProofHQ