Episodes

  • S02E04 - Inside the Mind of a Top Bug Hunter: Shahmeer Amir on Security & Innovation

    S02E04 - Inside the Mind of a Top Bug Hunter: Shahmeer Amir on Security & Innovation
    Feb 28 2025
    👉 Welcome to the latest episode of the Man in the Middle Podcast, where we uncover stories from the world of cybersecurity. This episode, we interview Shahmeer Amir, Founder and CEO of SpeeQR and Ethical Hacker. Shahmeer Amir is a globally recognized entrepreneur, ethical hacker, and public speaker. Named Entrepreneur of the Year 2024, he ranks among the world’s top three bug bounty hunters and has helped secure Fortune 400 companies, including Facebook, Microsoft, and Twitter. As the founder of multiple cybersecurity startups—SpeeQR, Veiliux, Authiun, and Dark—Shahmeer is at the forefront of next-gen security solutions. He also serves as a Cybersecurity Advisor to Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance and is a member of the Forbes Technology Council. In this episode, we discuss Shahmeer’s journey into bug bounty hunting, how the field is evolving, and the essential skills for breaking into cybersecurity today. We also dive into his latest research on transportation security, the growing threats in wireless technology, and how startups approach security differently than large corporations. 🔍 Whether you're an aspiring hacker, a tech entrepreneur, or just fascinated by the future of cybersecurity, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. You can learn more about Shahmeer by following the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-shahmeer-amir-743a5bb7/ https://shahmeeramir.com/
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    41 mins
  • S02E03 - Inside the Dark World of Doxing: Cybercrime Meets Real-World Threats w/Jacob Larsen

    S02E03 - Inside the Dark World of Doxing: Cybercrime Meets Real-World Threats w/Jacob Larsen
    Feb 19 2025
    👉 Welcome to the latest episode of the Man in the Middle Podcast, diving into stories from the world of Cyber Security. This episode, we interview Jacob Larsen, Threat Researcher and Offensive Security Lead at CyberCX. With six years of hands-on experience in cybersecurity, Jacob specializes in penetration testing, adversary tradecraft, and underground cybercriminal markets. His research into doxing, cyber extortion, and the rise of "violence-as-a-service" has been featured at Black Hat USA 2024 and in major publications like WIRED and The Register. In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of doxing, how cybercriminals exploit underground markets, and the terrifying rise of real-world threats stemming from online attacks. We break down the tactics used by doxing gangs like ViLe, discuss how fraudulent law enforcement requests are being used to access sensitive information, and examine the legal and policy gaps that allow these threats to persist. Join us for a gripping conversation that uncovers the hidden dangers of doxing, the fight to protect victims, and what individuals and organizations can do to stay safe in an increasingly hostile digital world. You can learn more about Jacob and CyberCX by following the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsencyber https://cybercx.com.au/
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • S02E02 - Cyber War & Disinformation: The New Frontlines of National Security w/Meg Tapia

    S02E02 - Cyber War & Disinformation: The New Frontlines of National Security w/Meg Tapia
    Feb 14 2025
    👉 Welcome to the latest episode of the Man in the Middle Podcast, diving into stories from the world of Cyber Security. This episode, we interview Meg Tapia, Managing Director of Novexus, a national security expert with over 20 years of experience in intelligence, diplomacy, and tackling disinformation. Meg has served as a diplomat, earned national and international medals including from NATO, and is a leader in addressing Australia’s evolving security challenges. In this episode, we explore the rise of disinformation and its impact on national security, the role of technology in both spreading and combating misinformation, and how Australia can build resilience against cyber threats. We also discuss cyber warfare as the 'Fifth Domain,' its unique challenges, and lessons from Meg’s diplomatic career that inform today’s security landscape. Tune in for an insightful discussion on defending truth in the digital age and safeguarding democracy from the threats of disinformation. Meg also gave a book recommendation called Foolproof which you can find through this link: https://www.amazon.com.au/Foolproof-Misinformation-Infects-Minds-Immunity/dp/039388144X You can learn more about Meg and Novexus by following the links below: https://novexus.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/megtapia/
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    46 mins
  • S02E01 - Strategic Security: How to get the Most Value from Your Cyber Investment w/Nikki Peever

    S02E01 - Strategic Security: How to get the Most Value from Your Cyber Investment w/Nikki Peever
    Feb 12 2025
    👉 Welcome to Season 2 of the podcast Man in the Middle Podcast, diving into stories from the world of Cyber Security. In our first episode of the year we interview Nikki Peever, Director of Cybersecurity at The Council of Australasian University of Information Technology (CAUDIT). Nikki ensures that institutions receive the support, resources, and guidance needed to stay secure and resilient in a dynamic digital landscape. With a passion for cybersecurity, leadership, client engagement, and effective communication, she brings a wealth of knowledge on how to navigate the evolving security challenges in higher education. In this episode, we discuss how to manage cybersecurity spending without compromising security, evaluating investments to maximize protection, the balance between investing in people vs. technology, and the future of cybersecurity in higher education. Tune in for expert insights on making strategic security decisions that deliver real value, all while staying ahead of emerging threats. You can learn more about Nikki and CAUDIT by following the links below: https://www.caudit.edu.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkipeever/
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    33 mins
  • S01E13 - Cyber Herd Immunity: Collective Defence in the Digital Age w/Yuval Hertzog & Michael Loewy

    S01E13 - Cyber Herd Immunity: Collective Defence in the Digital Age w/Yuval Hertzog & Michael Loewy
    Dec 11 2024
    👉Welcome to the latest episode of the Man in the Middle Podcast, diving into stories from the world of Cyber Security. This episode, we interview Yuval Hertzog and Michael Loewy, two leading figures in the cybersecurity and technology space. Yuval has over 30 years’ experience in ICT developing and commercializing new transformative technologies. He was a Captain and Head of R&D in Israel’s Cyber Intelligence core, and was subsequently part of the team the invented and commercialized VoIP at VocalTec. He’s opened telecommunications markets to secondary carriers across multiple continents. Michael is a Co-founder of Tide Foundation, a deep tech start-up reimagining trust in the digital world. He’s a seasoned entrepreneur with a rich C-Level history leading the productisation and commercialisation of transformational software for organisations like Dell, Yahoo!, News Limited, NetRegistry, Telstra, Motorola through to greenfield startups. Michael was an academic professional at the University of Illinois, and currently serves on the advisory board of the Children’s Medical Research Institute. In this episode, we delve into groundbreaking topics such as the concept of "Cyber Herd Immunity," and the critical steps organisations must take to achieve collective defence. Yuval and Michael also share insights into ineffable cryptography, Tide's revolutionary contribution to cybersecurity, and its transformative implications for businesses and developers alike. 🎧 Tune in to learn how collective user behaviour and innovative technologies are reshaping the cybersecurity landscape—and what you can do to stay ahead. You can learn more about our guests and Tide Foundation by following the links below: Tide Beta Application: https://tide.org/beta Tide op-ed “Reimagining Cybersecurity”: https://tide.org/blog/rethinking-cybersecurity-for-developers https://www.linkedin.com/in/uvhertzog/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelloewy/
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    50 mins
  • S01E12 - Cyber Skills for All w/ Caitriona Forde

    S01E12 - Cyber Skills for All w/ Caitriona Forde
    Dec 4 2024
    👉Welcome to the latest episode of the Man in the Middle Podcast, diving into stories from the world of Cyber Security. This episode we interview Caitriona Forde, Managing Director & Principal Consultant for caIT. Caitriona is a seasoned IT and cybersecurity professional with over 20 years of experience. As the founder of caIT, she specialises in designing people-focused cybersecurity training programs to help organisations build strong cyber safety cultures. With a Master’s in Cyber Security and multiple accolades, Caitriona is passionate about making cybersecurity accessible and empowering businesses to stay secure. In this episode, we discuss Caitriona’s tailored approach to cyber awareness, her human-centric strategies for creating engaging and effective training programs, and the importance of cultivating a cybersecurity culture within organisations. Expect to learn valuable insights on how to create a safe and secure cyber environment through the power of education and awareness. You can listen to our podcast on your favourite platforms: Apple/iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/man-in-the-middle-podcast-|-cyber-security-stories/id1750840854 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pXC0KyH0LmhSkchSudzwG?si=e4d678c0b05c4443 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c99d3a90-0ae2-403f-88c1-695b7a5a952f/man-in-the-middle-podcast-cyber-security-stories YouTube: You can find out more about Caitriona and caIT by following the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitrionaforde https://cait.com.au/ https://open.spotify.com/show/29gxIrY13OCvArD2vuFyMz
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    57 mins
  • S01E11 - Eclipse XDR, Threat Intelligence, and Cyber Defence w/ Loris Minassian

    S01E11 - Eclipse XDR, Threat Intelligence, and Cyber Defence w/ Loris Minassian
    Nov 25 2024
    👉 Welcome to another episode of the 'Man in the Middle Podcast,' diving into stories from the world of Cyber Security. This episode, we’re joined by Loris Minassian, Founder and CEO of CyberStash, a cybersecurity firm renowned for its advanced threat protection through the Eclipse.XDR Cyber Defence Platform. With over 25 years of experience, Loris has built a reputation as a trusted partner for both government and private sectors, delivering innovative MDR, EDR, and threat intelligence services. In this episode, we dive deep into the capabilities of the Eclipse.XDR platform, discuss the evolving landscape of threat intelligence, and explore practical advice for leveraging threat intelligence effectively. Whether you're a cybersecurity professional, a tech enthusiast, or someone intrigued by the cutting edge of threat defence, this episode is packed with insights to elevate your understanding of advanced cybersecurity solutions. You can find out more about Loris and CyberStash by following the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisminassian/ https://www.cyberstash.com/
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    41 mins
  • S01E10 - From Vulnerable to Vigilant: Building a Cyber Champion in Non-profits w/Adrian Bole, Rodney Anderson and Denny Wan

    S01E10 - From Vulnerable to Vigilant: Building a Cyber Champion in Non-profits w/Adrian Bole, Rodney Anderson and Denny Wan
    Nov 21 2024
    👉 Welcome to another episode of the 'Man in the Middle Podcast,' diving into stories from the world of Cyber Security. In this episode, we’re joined by three incredible guests to discuss Building a Cyber Champion in a Non-profit, based on their upcoming talk at CyberCon. Meet our Guests:
    • Rodney Anderson: With over two decades of experience in information security, Rodney is currently the Head of Information Security & Compliance at Barnardos Australia. He is committed to crafting risk-appropriate security strategies tailored to the non-profit sector.
    • Denny Wan: Chair of the Reasonable Security Institute and a leader in applying the Open FAIR risk quantification standard. Denny focuses on balancing security control enforcement with measurable financial risk reduction, transforming how organizations view and manage cyber risk.
    • Adrian Bole: Founder of IdentityXP, Adrian is a seasoned security executive with over 20 years in IT and cybersecurity. His consultancy provides affordable identity and access management solutions to non-profits, ensuring their funds are focused on their missions.
    Together, we explore how non-profits can tackle unique cybersecurity challenges by empowering their teams, aligning risk management with business goals, and fostering a culture of champions within their organizations. Whether you’re part of a non-profit or just passionate about making cybersecurity accessible, this episode is packed with actionable insights for creating secure and resilient organizations. You can find out more about our guests by following the links below. https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianbole/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/wandenny/ https://donate.barnardos.org.au/
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    44 mins