Fagan Afandiyev — Elite Cybersecurity Competitor and Legendary Whitehatter

No Password Required: Breakout Room: Episode 1 — Fagan Afandiyev

Fagan Afandiyev is a cybersecurity student at the University of South Florida and a member of the CyberHerd competition team, known for his strategic mindset and passion for solving complex challenges. From competing in international robotics competitions to discovering cybersecurity through hands-on platforms, Fagan has built his skills through curiosity, persistence, and a love for problem solving.

Fagan shares how competitions, community, and continuous learning shaped his journey into cybersecurity. He walks through his growth within USF’s cyber community, and how that led to a penetration testing internship at Microsoft.

He also offers insight into the mindset needed to succeed in cybersecurity, encouraging others to embrace challenges, learn through failure, and find enjoyment in the process.

Follow Fagan on Linked in here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fagan-afandi/

Presented by ThreatLocker

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity Passion

3:02   Journey to Cyber Herd and University Life

06:12 Internship at Microsoft and Career Aspirations

08:59 Hackathon Experience and Community Engagement

12:39 Behind the Scenes of Cyber Competitions

14:30  Overcoming Challenges in Cyber Competitions

18:00 Gratitude and Mentorship in Cybersecurity

Cynthia Wyre —Project Manager at Rapid7 and the Queen of Cyber Media 

No Password Required Season 7: Episode 4 - Cynthia Wyre 

Cynthia Wyre is a Senior Strategic Engagement Project Manager at Rapid7, where she helps connect academic research and industry. Her path into cybersecurity innovation was untraditional, moving from healthcare and construction project management into vulnerability research and academic partnerships. 

Cynthia reflects on how she applied for a role she did not think she was qualified for, why professionals of all backgrounds belong in cyber, and how project management skills can open unexpected doors. 

Jack Clabby of Carlton Fields, P.A., and K. Melton of the Cognitive Security Institute welcome Cynthia live from CyberBay 2026 in Tampa for a conversation about research, resilience, and relationship-building in cybersecurity. Cynthia explains Rapid7’s partnership with USF and Cyber Florida, including her efforts to support research around SOC analyst training and burnout, and the future of cyber education. 

Throughout the conversation, Cynthia highlights the importance of community, mentorship, and helping people see that cybersecurity is not limited to one path or one type of person. 

The episode wraps with the Lifestyle Polygraph, where Cynthia reveals how she would work a room full of strangers and how she won a costume contest moments before meeting rapper Young Gravy. She also earns a crown of her own, officially joining the No Password Required fantasy cybersecurity squad as Queen of the Podcast. 

Follow Cynthia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiawyre/

Presented by ThreatLocker 

Follow ThreatLocker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/threatlockerinc/posts/

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction

02:15 From Aspiring Physical Therapist to Project Manager

03:50 Transitioning from Construction to Cybersecurity

05:12 Applying for the Rapid7 Role and Overcoming Self-Doubt

10:25 Academic Partnerships with USF and Cyber Florida

12:56 Leaning into Discomfort and Personal Growth

20:15 The Role of Marching Band and Education in Cynthia’s Life

24:25 A Memorable Encounter with a Music Industry Entertainer Yung Gravy

28:00 Lifestyle Polygraph and Fun Personal Questions

37:40 Crowning Cynthia as Queen of the Podcast

Madhav Nakar — AI Security Researcher and Documentarian of Spirituality and Play  

No Password Required Season 7: Episode 3 - Madhav Nakar  

Madhav Nakar is a Security Researcher at BeyondTrust specializing in identity threats, endpoint security, and cloud attack paths. With a background in theoretical mathematics, his current research focuses on analyzing attacker behavior to build practical systems of detection.  

In this episode, Madhav shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, including his first experience witnessing a nation-state attack unfold in real time from his seat in a SOC. He explains how mathematical thinking sharpens security strategy and why strong research is rooted in exploration, not predetermined outcomes.  

Jack Clabby of Carlton Fields, joined by co-host Kayley Melton of the Cognitive Security Institute, welcomes Madhav for a conversation on modern cyber defense. From AI-driven attacks and agentic systems to privilege escalation risks in role-based access environments, Madhav breaks down what teams are getting wrong about AI and why defending against AI increasingly requires AI-powered tools.  

The conversation turns to Madhav’s philosophy of “serious play,” where curiosity, experimentation, and failure fuel better research and resilience. He also shares insights from his spiritual and philosophy project, The Fire of Knowing, exploring consciousness and belief through a neutral lens.  

In the Lifestyle Polygraph, Madhav pitches a cybersecurity documentary, debates growth versus comfort, and reflects public dancing experiments. 

Follow Madhav Nakar here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhav-nakar/

Follow "The Fire of Knowing" on Instagram and Youtube! 

CHAPTERS: 

00:00 Introduction with Kayley and Jack

08:08 Transition from Theoretical Math to Cybersecurity

16:13 Exploring Spiritual Traditions and Madhav’s Documentary

19:48 The Intersection of Art and Science in Content Creation

25:20 The Lifestyle Polygraph: Challenging Perspectives on Security

No Password Required: Next Gen – Ep. 1 - Michelle McAveety

Michelle McAveety- Cyber Competitions, Crowd Surfing & Main-Character Energy

Welcome to our new spinoff series, No Password Required: Next Generation.  Where we go behind the scenes and interview up-and-coming young professionals in cybersecurity!

Whether you’re trying to figure out your career path, looking for a little inspiration, or just want to have a laugh while learning about the industry, this show is for you.

Real stories. Real journeys. Next Gen Cyber.

About this episode:

Michelle McAveety is a Computer Engineering and Math student at USF and the Team Captain of the CyberHerd, the university’s cybersecurity competition team.

We get into the chaos and adrenaline of competition life, what it’s like leading in a high-pressure cyber environment, and how she balances it all without losing herself. Spoiler: the answer includes crocheting, blasting heavy metal, going to concerts, and possibly crowd surfing if the vibe is right.

Michelle also drops some real advice opening up about the pressure to compare yourself in competitive fields and why staying grounded and focused on your own path is the real win.

Follow Michelles journey on linked in! https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcaveety/

Chapters:

00:39 - Who is Michelle? 

00:54-  Being in Cyberherd 

01:38- Hobbies that bring Michelle Joy!  

02:51- Comparison and Growth 

Sue Serna - Social Media Security and Governance Leader and Lover of All Beagles

No Password Required Season 7: Episode 2 - Sue Serna

Sue Serna is the CEO and Founder of Serna Social and the former head of global social media at Cargill. She brings more than two decades of experience at the intersection of storytelling, strategy, and security.

In this episode, she shares her journey from business reporter to leading her own consultancy serving companies around the world on social media strategy.

Jack Clabby of Carlton Fields, P.A, joined by guest co-host Rex Wilson of Cyber Florida, welcomes Sue for a candid discussion about the realities of enterprise social media. From managing more than 150 Facebook pages for a single company, to navigating internal politics, agency relationships, and regulatory pressure, Sue explains why social media is far from “free” and why most organizations still under-resource it.

Sue dives deep into the gap between social media teams and cybersecurity departments. She outlines how personal account compromises can escalate into enterprise-level incidents, why governance frameworks matter, and how large organizations can regain control of sprawling digital footprints. Drawing from real-world examples, she argues that social media must be treated like finance or HR, a core business function requiring structure, ownership, and accountability.

The episode wraps with the Lifestyle Polygraph, where Sue reveals her love of Apollo-era space history, debates iconic Philadelphia traditions, and imagines what magical talent her beagle would bring to Hogwarts.

Follow Sue at SernaSocial.com or connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sueserna/

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction and First Impressions   

02:45 The Evolving Role of Social Media in Corporations   

04:58 Transitioning from Journalism to Social Media  

11:11 Building Social Media from Scratch   

13:00 Becoming a CEO and Founder   

16:28 The Importance of Networking   

16:54 Bridging the Gap Between Social Media and Cybersecurity  

20:51 Real-World Social Media Security Incidents  

28:35 Navigating Internal Conflicts in Social Media  

30:32 The Lifestyle Polygraph Begins   

31:17 Nerd Things That Expose Sue: Space and Harry Potter!  

35:16 Sue’s Love For Beagles  

37:50 Wreckless Intern or Overconfident Executive?  

40:42 Hogwarts and Magical Beagles 

Rob Hughes — CISO at RSA and Champion of a Passwordless Future

No Password Required Season 7:  Episode 1 - Rob Hughes

Rob Hughes, the CISO at RSA, has more than 25 years of experience leading security and cloud infrastructure teams. In this episode, he reflects on his unconventional career path, from co-founding the original Geek.com and serving as its Chief Technologist during the early days of the internet, to leading security and systems design at Philips Home Monitoring.

Jack Clabby of Carlton Fields, P.A. and Kayley Melton welcome Rob for a wide-ranging conversation on identity, leadership, and the realities of modern cybersecurity. Rob currently leads RSA’s Security and Risk Office, overseeing cybersecurity, information security governance, and risk across both RSA’s products and corporate environment.

Rob explains his dream for a passwordless future. He unpacks why passwords remain one of the largest sources of cyber risk, how real-world incidents and password-spraying attacks have accelerated change, and why phishing-resistant technologies like passkeys may finally be reaching a tipping point. 
 

The episode wraps with the Lifestyle Polygraph, where Rob lightens the conversation with stories about gaming with his kids, underrated horror films, and classic cars.

Follow Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-hughes-816067a4/

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction to No Password Required

01:43 Meet Rob Hughes, CISO at RSA

02:05 The Role of a CISO in a Security Company

05:09 Transitioning to the CISO Role

08:00 The Early Days of Geek.com

12:14 Launching a Startup During the Dot Com Boom

14:30 The Push for a Passwordless Future

18:21 Tipping Point for Passwordless Adoption

20:20 Ongoing Learning in Cybersecurity

26:09 Managing Stress in High-Pressure Environments

33:46 The Lifestyle Polygraph Begins

34:15 Career Insights in Cybersecurity

36:08 Dream Cars and Personal Preferences

39:58 Underrated Horror Films

41:19 Creating a Cybersecurity Monster

Gina Yacone — Virtual CISO at Trace3 and Roller Derby Penalty Box Visitor

Live from B-Sides Jacksonville, No Password Required welcomes Gina Yacone, Virtual CISO at Trace3. Jack Clabby of Carlton Fields, P.A. and Sarina Gandy, host and producer of the CyberBay Podcast, host a conversation on Gina’s unconventional career path, leadership under pressure, and the power of community in cybersecurity. With career stops in private investigation, digital forensics, and executive security, Gina brings a people-first, purpose-driven perspective to complex cyber risk.

Gina shares how her early work as a private investigator on high-profile criminal defense cases laid the foundation for her success in cybersecurity. She also reflects on raising her hand for big challenges, the rewards and risks of always saying yes, and how authenticity has guided her. She offers insight on why conference hallway conversations can be just as impactful as keynote sessions.

A visible advocate for the cybersecurity community, Gina speaks openly about setting healthy mentorship boundaries and building resilient professional networks.

The episode wraps with the Lifestyle Polygraph, where Gina lightens the mood with stories from her roller derby days, dream Amazing Race partners, and why John Wick might just be the ultimate executive assistant.

Follow Gina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginayacone/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity and B-Sides Jacksonville

01:16 Gina Yacone's Unique Journey to Cybersecurity

06:22 Navigating Burnout in Cybersecurity

08:06 The Importance of Raising Your Hand

10:04 Adapting Leadership Styles in Different Roles 

14:03 Being a Role Model for Women in Cybersecurity

16:34 How to Establish a Good Mentee and Mentor Relationship

18:50 Feedback and Constructive Criticism

22:55  The Value of Hallway Conversations

26:19 The Lifestyle Polygraph: Fun and Insights

38:54 Conclusion and Future Connections

Danny Jenkins — Founder of ThreatLocker and the Zero-Trust Revolution

Danny Jenkins is the CEO of ThreatLocker, the leading cybersecurity company that he built alongside his wife. Hosts Jack Clabby of Carlton Fields, P.A., and Kayley Melton of the Cognitive Security Institute follow Danny’s journey from a scrappy IT consultant to leading one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity companies in the world.

Danny shares the moment everything changed: watching a small business nearly collapse after a catastrophic ransomware attack. That experience reshaped his mission and ultimately sparked the creation of ThreatLocker. He also reflects on the gritty early days—cold-calling from his living room, coding through the night, and taking on debt before finally landing their first $5,000 customer.

Danny explains the origins of Zero Trust World, his passion for educating IT teams, and why adopting a hacker mindset is essential for modern defenders.

In the Lifestyle Polygraph, Danny relates his early “revenge tech” against school bullies, the place he escapes to when celebrating big wins, and the movie franchise he insists is absolutely a Christmas classic.

Follow Danny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyjenkins/

00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity and ThreatLocker

02:26 The Birth of ThreatLocker: A Personal Journey

05:42 The Evolution of Zero Trust Security

08:35 Real-World Impact of Cyber Attacks

11:25 The Importance of a Hacker Mindset

14:46 The Role of SOC Teams in Cybersecurity

17:34 Building a Culture of Security

20:23 Hiring for Passion and Skill in Cybersecurity

23:44 Understanding Zero Trust: Trust No One

26:32 Lifestyle Polygraph: Personal Insights and Fun

29:41 Conclusion and Future of ThreatLocker

Summary

In this episode of No Password Required, host Jack Clabby and Kayley Melton engage with Steve Orrin, the federal CTO at Intel, discussing the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, the importance of diverse teams, and the intersection of technology and security. Steve shares insights from his extensive career, including his experiences in the startup scene, the significance of AI and IoT, and the critical blind spots in cybersecurity practices. The conversation also touches on nurturing talent in technology and offers valuable advice for young professionals entering the field.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity and the Edge

01:48 Steve Orrin's Role at Intel

04:51 The Evolution of Security Technology

09:07 The Startup Scene in the 90s

13:00 The Intersection of Biology and Technology

15:52 The Importance of AI and IoT

20:30 Blind Spots in Cybersecurity

25:38 Nurturing Talent in Technology

28:57 Advice for Young Cybersecurity Professionals

32:10 Lifestyle Polygraph: Fun Questions with Steve

Starbucks’ Security Pro Went from Cyber Competitions to Corporate Red Teaming

DeMarcus Williams, a senior security engineer at Starbucks, has built a career defined by creativity, intuition, and persistence. With roles at the U.S. Department of Defense, AWS/Amazon, and now Starbucks, he specializes in offensive security, red teaming, and adversary emulation. In this episode, DeMarcus joins Jack Clabby of Carlton Fields, P.A. and Cyber Florida’s Sarina Gandy (guesting hosting) to share how his love of video games first sparked his cybersecurity journey—and how competitions like the Southeast Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (SECCDC) cemented his path.

DeMarcus opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, the unique work-life balance he’s found at Starbucks, and why half of his red teaming comes down to gut instinct. He shares the difference between penetration testing and red teaming, what it’s like preparing for full-scale global operations, and the hacker mindset that still kicks in whenever he walks into a Starbucks café.

In the Lifestyle Polygraph segment, Sarina poses the ultimate face-off: what’s the bigger moment—the walk-up to a boxing ring or to the DEF CON keynote stage? And, between Stone Cold, The Rock, and The Undertaker, who would dominate in a Capture the Flag competition?

Follow DeMarcus on Twitter: https://x.com/medarkus_  @ medarkus_

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity and Curiosity

02:47 Day-to-Day Life of a Senior Security Engineer

05:30 The Role of Gut Instinct in Cybersecurity

08:31 Early Inspirations and the Journey into Cybersecurity

11:35 The Importance of Competitions in Career Development

14:33 Transitioning from Student to Professional

17:34 The Red Team Experience and Its Impact

20:25 Recruitment Opportunities in Cybersecurity Competitions

23:33 Navigating Corporate Culture in Cybersecurity

26:31 Mentorship and People-First Approach

29:11 Lifestyle Polygraph and Fun Insights

Summary

In this episode of No Password Required, host Jack Clabby and co-host Kayleigh Melton engage in a lively conversation with John Shipp, a product strategist at Rapid7. They explore John's unique journey from a metalhead to a cybersecurity expert, discussing the importance of passion in career development, the intricacies of product management, and the significance of customer insights in shaping cybersecurity solutions. John shares his early experiences in hacking, the influence of music on his life, and the value of building strong teams and company culture. The episode concludes with a fun segment called the Lifestyle Polygraph, where John answers quirky questions about his ideal cyber team and his dream day with Ric Flair.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity and Personal Journeys

02:49 The Role of Passion in Career Development

05:21 Navigating Product Management and Market Strategy

08:23 The Evolution of Cybersecurity Skills

11:37 The Importance of Customer Insights in Product Development

14:35 Early Experiences in Hacking and Cybersecurity

17:24 The Influence of Music on Personal and Professional Life

20:19 Building Teams and Company Culture

23:10 Startup Life and Risk Management

26:08 Lifestyle Polygraph: Fun Questions and Insights

29:13 Final Thoughts and Connections