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In this episode of The Other Side of the Firewall, hosts Ryan, Shannon, and Chris dissect a trending security report detailing how a low-skilled attacker easily hijacked a Claude AI instance to breach 14 companies by simply tricking the AI’s guardrails. The team then shifts gears to discuss a new Senate NDAA proposal offering up to $100,000 in CMMC grants to help small defense contractors manage the steep costs of compliance, followed by a fiery debate on whether the rise of part-time, “fractional” CISOs is a smart budget move or a dangerous trend fueled by executive burnout and SEC liability fears. Finally, the crew decompresses by sharing their recent personal highlights, diving into everything from Italian cheese wheels and intense kettlebell training to the latest anime and running Cyberpunk 2077 via cloud gaming.
Article: Low-skilled attacker used Claude, Codex to breach 14 companies
https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2026/06/17/ai-agents-offensive-cyber-operations-claude-codex/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExRmN0RFJDWEUzaUlaQ1dQanNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4E3yG7BOaMeTYFubhdWQ_VIe4dFT44y-rT81FKg7V-SI5kcjcb1RWQ6xGULA_aem_8VhuxrLpU8NGw90c2z2F4g
Senate NDAA proposes CMMC grant program
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/technology-main/2026/06/senate-ndaa-proposes-cmmc-grant-program/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExRmN0RFJDWEUzaUlaQ1dQanNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4Aj2tVqytcIddIhgYsDnOqhU3C2bFQJfvK6bCubRb6Irl1e-RsrCyXf47h8g_aem_flEvM7hdgC50H6QHxfc4WQ
CISOs Not Likely to Disappear
https://www.darkreading.com/cybersecurity-operations/stressors-ai-changes-cybersecurity-teams?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExRmN0RFJDWEUzaUlaQ1dQanNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5iE2M_iy9f90Ot-N5J6yTCoGvB03tT6inGBuBHKpGzTq0-Q_6Vcls5sUZkJw_aem_YQTYrJHf8yoZ6ZBmBjcUQg
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity Trends
00:49 AI’s Role in Cyber Attacks
10:37 Government Support for Cybersecurity Compliance
22:15 The Evolving Role of CISOs in Cybersecurity
36:27 The Challenges of Transitioning Military to Civilian Roles
37:56 The Value of Fractional CISOs
39:13 Navigating Hiring Challenges in Cybersecurity
40:31 The Importance of Experience in Leadership Roles
42:15 Understanding the CISO’s Broader Responsibilities
43:15 The Rise of Fractional Executives
45:19 Personal Updates and Family Time
48:15 Dining Experiences and Family Activities
48:33 Media Consumption and Entertainment Preferences
52:09 Gaming and Cloud Technology Insights
#cybersecurity #claudeai #vciso

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Podcast Details
About the host
Ryan, Shannon, Chris and Daniel
Ryan is a retired Air Force veteran who brings over 20 years of experience in network infrastructure, project management, and cybersecurity consulting to his current role as CEO of RAM Cyber Consulting & Assessments, LLC. RAM Cyber is a premier governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) consultancy dedicated to supporting the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), federal agencies, and corporate entities. We specialize in delivering expert guidance to ensure compliance, mitigate risks, and enhance cybersecurity postures.
Shannon, also a retired Air Force veteran, has more than two decades of expertise in network security and vulnerability management. He now serves as an Information System Security Officer (ISSO) for the U.S. Space Force, where he continues to enhance national security protocols.
Chris, a Navy veteran with over ten years in IT, information assurance, and risk management, currently works at CompliancePoint. His roles include vCISO, RMF assessor, and consultant, focusing on enhancing data security and privacy for various organizations.
Daniel is an Air Force veteran with over 15 years of combined experience in IT, cybersecurity, information assurance, and government risk compliance. He has held various roles, including IT administrator, cybersecurity engineer, and senior information system security manager, and currently serves as a senior security consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton. In this latest role, Daniel leverages his expertise to address unique and complex challenges in the cyber and IT domains, enhancing his customers’ capabilities.
