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There’s a narrative in cybersecurity that’s quietly pushing good people away.

And it’s a problem we need to address.

In this episode, I’m unpacking a tension that doesn’t make sense on the surface:
Thousands of open cybersecurity roles… and still, talented people questioning whether they belong.

So what’s really going on?

We talk about:

• The disconnect between the cybersecurity talent shortage and hiring practices
• Why the industry’s messaging may be discouraging capable professionals from entering the field
• The reality of imposter syndrome—and why no one knows everything in cybersecurity
• Why diverse career paths aren’t a weakness—they’re exactly what the industry needs
• The critical role of non-technical skills like problem-solving, communication, and strategic thinking

I also challenge leaders and hiring managers to rethink how we evaluate talent:
Are we prioritizing pedigree… or potential?

Because if we’re serious about closing the workforce gap, we need to:

• Create more inclusive entry points
• Value transferable skills
• Build teams—not just check boxes

Cybersecurity isn’t just a technical field.
It’s a problem-solving field.

And there is space for more people than we’ve been led to believe.

Support the show

Hey, listeners and tech enthusiasts! 🌟 If you've been enjoying our podcast and finding value in the insights shared, we'd love your support. You can:

• Take a moment to share this podcast with someone.
• Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.
• If you’re in a position to support financially, consider supporting via the Tip Jar, or Buy Me a Coffee. This podcast is a self-funded and how we give back, especially to underrepresented voices in tech and cybersecurity.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn

Your support keeps us going and growing. Thanks for being part of this journey and our community!

Stay connected! Sign up for the weekly newsletter, Courageous Circuits: https://tinyurl.com/wz8fepyc

The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are personal and not reflective of any employer.

Send us Fan Mail

What’s really happening in the cybersecurity workforce—and why are so many organizations still struggling to hire and retain the right talent?

In this episode, I sit down with Brian Correia, the Director of Global Cyber Workforce Strategy & Engagement at SANS, to unpack key insights from the 2026 SANS GIAC Workforce Report.

But this isn’t your typical workforce conversation.

This report focuses on “cyber talent leaders”—the people responsible for hiring, developing, and retaining cybersecurity professionals. And what it reveals is both eye-opening and urgent.

We explore:

• The growing mid-career and senior talent bottleneck—and why it’s slowing organizations down
• How cybersecurity roles are evolving beyond technical expertise to include communication with boards and C-suites
• The real impact of AI on cybersecurity roles—and the emergence of positions like AI governance specialists

We also get real about leadership and representation:

• The ongoing gap in women in cybersecurity leadership—and why it still matters
• The importance of re-skilling existing talent instead of only chasing new hires
• How cybersecurity as a profession is maturing—and what that means for career paths

Brian’s journey—from conference management to cybersecurity leader—is a powerful reminder that there’s no one path into this field. The key is finding your niche and growing into it.

This conversation is for leaders, hiring managers, and anyone navigating a career in cybersecurity.

Because the future of cyber isn’t just about technology—it’s about people.

Get in Touch with us:

Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianjcorreia/

Dawn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnbutler1/

2026 Report: https://www.sans.org/white-papers/2026-cybersecurity-workforce-research-report

Join Inside the 2026 Cyber Workforce: Key Trends, Talent Gaps, Strategic Shifts, and the AI Revolution live event on June 24th 1:00 PM ET

Support the show

Hey, listeners and tech enthusiasts! 🌟 If you've been enjoying our podcast and finding value in the insights shared, we'd love your support. You can:

• Take a moment to share this podcast with someone.
• Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.
• If you’re in a position to support financially, consider supporting via the Tip Jar, or Buy Me a Coffee. This podcast is a self-funded and how we give back, especially to underrepresented voices in tech and cybersecurity.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn

Your support keeps us going and growing. Thanks for being part of this journey and our community!

Stay connected! Sign up for the weekly newsletter, Courageous Circuits: https://tinyurl.com/wz8fepyc

The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are personal and not reflective of any employer.

Send us Fan Mail

Your track record for surviving hard days is 100%. Let me prove it to you.

In this deeply personal episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the three T's that have kept me grounded through 28 years in tech, multiple layoffs, career transitions, and everything in between.

You'll learn:

• Transparency: Why vulnerability is your secret weapon—and how admitting "I'm not okay" actually heals you and everyone around you
• Transformation: The counterintuitive reason job loss and setbacks aren't punishment—they're your forge for becoming who you're meant to be
• Trust: How to stop white-knuckling control and actually go with the flow (even when your brain screams otherwise)

This isn't motivational fluff. It's real talk about resilience, acceptance, and the power of showing up authentically in your professional and personal life. Perfect if you're navigating career change, burnout, imposter syndrome, or just wondering how to keep going when things get hard.

Featured In This Episode:

• The power of honest conversation during crisis
• How change and transformation work together
• Mindfulness, acceptance, and releasing what you can't control
• Real examples from my own layoff and career transition journey
• Why you're tougher than you think

For women in tech and cybersecurity

If you’re working to find, refine, and use your voice—whether through leadership, speaking, or visibility—this is part of the work I deeply care about and actively support. Explore how I can help

Ask Me Anything (AMA) — coming soon

If you have questions—from career navigation to cyber pathways to dealing with being “the only one” in the room 👉🏽 send them in.

Support the show

Hey, listeners and tech enthusiasts! 🌟 If you've been enjoying our podcast and finding value in the insights shared, we'd love your support. You can:

• Take a moment to share this podcast with someone.
• Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.
• If you’re in a position to support financially, consider supporting via the Tip Jar, or Buy Me a Coffee. This podcast is a self-funded and how we give back, especially to underrepresented voices in tech and cybersecurity.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn

Your support keeps us going and growing. Thanks for being part of this journey and our community!

Stay connected! Sign up for the weekly newsletter, Courageous Circuits: https://tinyurl.com/wz8fepyc

The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are personal and not reflective of any employer.