Musings from the Cyber Trench

Career Strategy: Power of Network & Timing | Melissa Slinker | Musing from the CyberTrench | EP105

Government contracting is facing unprecedented change. How do you grow when everything feels uncertain? Melissa Slinker, President of Corbett Marine & Corbett Shield (Gold Belt subsidiaries), shares her 20+ year journey and the strategies that keep her thriving.What You'll Learn:✅ The 5-year gut check strategy for career growth✅ How to own your destiny in cyclical industries✅ Mission-first leadership philosophy✅ Building resilient teams during uncertainty✅ Networking strategies that actually work✅ Balancing work-life integration as a leader✅ Why community-focused companies create better outcomesTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Melissa Slinker02:23 - Unprecedented Times in Defense Contracting04:53 - The 5-Year Gut Check Philosophy08:11 - Defining Personal and Professional Growth13:05 - Mission-First, People-Second Leadership18:26 - Personal Mission: Raising Resilient Adults23:44 - When Your Mission Doesn't Align Anymore29:00 - Navigating 2025's Government Contracting Landscape34:22 - AI Adoption: Opportunities and Complications42:13 - Gold Belt's Community-First Approach46:13 - Growing Up in San Diego51:43 - Why East Tennessee? The Relocation Story56:14 - Beekeeping: Finding Center in Chaos1:00:09 - Networking Advice for Uncertain TimesAbout Our Guest:Melissa Slinker brings over 20 years of government contracting experience across DoS, USDA, DHS, and DOT. As President of Corbett Marine and Corbett Shield (Gold Belt Inc. subsidiaries), she leads with a mission-first philosophy while maintaining work-life integration on her Tennessee homestead.Leadership Lessons:🎯 Five-year cycles define government contracting—plan accordingly💡 Own your destiny: Don't wait for contracts to end🤝 Mission alignment is non-negotiable for long-term success📊 Growth isn't just revenue—it's team development and capability expansion🌱 Regular gut checks prevent comfortable stagnation⚖️ Work-life balance evolves—reassess every five years🏔️ Find centering activities (like beekeeping!) to manage leadership stressCurrent Market Insights:📉 Government shutdown impacts and customer engagement challenges🔄 Rapid policy changes requiring unprecedented agility⚡ Speed and innovation becoming critical differentiators🤖 AI adoption requires measured, strategic implementation🎯 Community-focused companies weather storms betterGold Belt Connection:Gold Belt is a tribal urban corporation serving Juneau, Alaska shareholders through government contracting profits that fund cultural heritage preservation and tourism initiatives. Learn more about their community-first mission!Connect with Melissa Slinker:Email: melissa.slinker@goldbeltfed.comCPM Website: cpm-gb.comLinkedIn: Melissa SlinkerRelated Topics: #GovernmentContracting #Leadership #DefenseIndustry #WomenInBusiness #CareerGrowth #BusinessStrategy #GoldBelt #CorbettMarine #FederalContracting #Cybersecurity #GovCon🔔 SUBSCRIBE for public sector leadership insights!👍 LIKE if you're navigating change in your career!💬 COMMENT How do you handle uncertainty in your industry?📤 SHARE with leaders in government contracting!About Musings from the Cyber Trench:Musings from the Cyber Trench goes beyond surface-level talk to uncover real challenges and breakthroughs in public sector cybersecurity. Host Vishal Masih features fearless leaders and visionary experts reshaping security strategies in complex environments.#CyberTrench #PublicSector #GovCon #Leadership #CareerDevelopment

Getting the Next Generation Industry Ready for a Future in Cybersecurity

Students chasing certifications. AI is advancing at a faster rate than the curriculum. Entry-level roles demanding 5 years of experience. Organizations are unsure how to onboard junior talent. And a cybersecurity landscape expanding into psychology, forensics, OT, IAM, and beyond.This conversation with Tejas Shroff, Senior Director of Managed Security Services at NTT DATA and Adjunct Professor at UT Dallas, digs into what the next generation truly needs to thrive in cybersecurity—and what leaders must rethink to prepare them.We talk about AI as a double-edged sword, the real meaning of “innovation” for early-career professionals, why mentorship still matters, why students shouldn’t chase a rainbow of certifications, and how companies can safely bring in junior talent without putting production at risk.Key Discussion Points00:00 – Setting the stage: who Tejas is and why the next-gen conversation matters03:08 – How AI is reshaping cybersecurity careers06:25 – Students relying too heavily on AI for learning09:10 – Will AI replace Tier 1 SOC analysts?12:45 – How early-career professionals can “innovate” themselves15:28 – Cybersecurity as the broadest career spectrum in IT17:45 – Where psychology, philosophy & forensics fit into cyber20:40 – The fastest-growing areas in cybersecurity23:20 – Why depth is greater than breadth early in your career25:15 – Mentorship: the missing link for young professionals28:05 – How early exposure (CyberPatriot, Scouts, etc.) shapes careers32:20 – The certification overload problem36:10 – AI + immigration limits: can AI fill the skills gap?40:15 – Why junior talent struggles to get hired44:00 – Using Zero Trust + automation to safely onboard beginners46:10 – “AI bot mentors” for junior analysts47:50 – What teaching real-world cyber consulting looks like50:40 – Academia vs reality — are universities keeping up?54:20 – Where IAM is heading next58:00 – How fresh perspectives strengthen veteran teams1:00:45 – Switching gears: Tejas’ childhood & moving from Mumbai to Dallas1:05:10 – Life in Dallas then vs now1:08:15 – Advice for anyone entering cybersecurity today1:11:40 – Where to find Tejas1:13:30 – Closing thoughtsIf you care about workforce development, future-proofing careers, or creating more intentional pathways into cyber, this one will hit home.Don’t forget to:👍 Like if you want to empower the next generation of cyber professionals🔔 Subscribe for more human-first cybersecurity conversations💬 Share your biggest insight from this episode🔗 Pass it along to someone exploring a path in cybersecurity#CybersecurityCareers #FutureOfCyber #AICybersecurity #NextGenTalent #CyberEducation #IdentityAccessManagement #PublicSectorCyber #CyberWorkforce #MentorshipMatters #TechLeadership #CybersecurityPodcast #MusingsFromTheCyberTrench

Getting Real to Getting Better in Cybersecurity | Chris Curwood | EP 103

Host Vishal Masih sits down with Chris Curwood, Senior Solution Architect for Cyber Systems and a former U.S. Marine, to discuss how accountability, agility, and integrity shape the future of cybersecurity.From the defense sector to the digital enterprise, Chris shares how mission-first leadership and adaptive thinking drive transformation. Discover how to build rapid feedback loops and why the speed of consuming feedback matters more than deployment speed. And why “business as usual” has no place in the modern cyber landscape.Key insights include:Breaking free from outdated, process-heavy culturesThe evolution toward Zero Trust and cloud-native operationsThe role of DevSecOps, SBOMs, and agile engineering in resilienceHow AI, automation, and quantum computing will redefine defenseLessons from the Marine Corps that build stronger teams and systemsA must-listen for cybersecurity leaders, architects, and innovators committed to building systems that are smarter, faster, and future-ready.Connect with Chris CurwoodEmail: ccurwood@sabresystems.com | christopher.curwood@gmail.com Company: SABRE Systems, LLC#CyberSecurity #DigitalTransformation #ZeroTrust #DevSecOps #AI #QuantumComputing #CyberResilience #Leadership #PublicSectorInnovation #GetRealGetBetter

Getting Zero Trust Right - Part 1 | Rajeev Paramathmuni | Musings from the Cyber Trench | EP 102

In this powerful episode of Musings from the Cyber Trench, host Vishal Masih welcomes Rajeev, Senior Principal Architect at Accenture Federal Services, for a deep-dive into what Zero Trust really means — beyond the hype.Together, they explore how Zero Trust architecture is transforming public sector cybersecurity, driving modernization, and reshaping how organizations defend critical infrastructure and mission systems. From AI and automation to human-centered design, this episode breaks down the real challenges and real wins in implementing Zero Trust at scale.Whether you’re a cyber leader, federal technologist, or security strategist, this conversation delivers practical insights on building trust in an untrusted world.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome to Musings from the Cyber Trench01:12 – Meet Rajeev: From architect to public sector strategist03:05 – What Zero Trust really means in today’s cybersecurity landscape06:48 – Moving from traditional perimeter models to continuous verification09:22 – Real-world lessons from Zero Trust adoption in federal environments12:15 – How AI and automation are changing cyber defense15:37 – Overcoming organizational resistance and silos18:44 – Building culture and communication around Zero Trust principles22:19 – The balance between technology, people, and policy25:06 – Future trends: Mission resilience and proactive cyber posture28:40 – Key takeaways for cybersecurity leaders30:12 – Final thoughts: Why Zero Trust is a mindset, not a milestone🎯 Key Themes:Turning Zero Trust from theory into mission impactThe evolving role of AI in federal cybersecurityBreaking silos through collaboration and transparencyWhy culture is as critical as technology in cyber transformation💡 Call to Action:If you’re passionate about cybersecurity, modernization, and mission impact — this is the conversation you don’t want to miss.👉 Watch, subscribe, and share to stay updated with future episodes of Musings from the Cyber Trench.Join the movement redefining how we secure the future.#Cybersecurity #ZeroTrust #AccentureFederal #DigitalDefense #CyberResilience #MusingsFromTheCyberTrench #PublicSector #AITechnology

The Great Corporate Escape: How one Cybersecurity Professional made the decision to build what matters

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Musings from the Cyber Trench, a podcast that goes beyond surface-level talk to reveal real challenges and breakthroughs in public sector cybersecurity. Hosted by Vishal Masih (with producer Nick), this series brings fearless leaders and visionary experts from large organizations to share honest perspectives, practical insights, and actionable strategies to build stronger, smarter, and more resilient security programs. If you care about enterprise security, cyber hygiene, trusted AI, and effective risk management in complex environments, you’re in the right trench.What you’ll hear in this episode:An introduction to Musings from the Cyber Trench: purpose, approach, and who the show is forWhy cybersecurity matters to everyone with an online presence, not just government or banksCore benefits for listeners: honest opinions, diverse problem-solving approaches, and insight into future trendsThe guest mix: CISOs, CTOs, CEOs, presidents, and security leaders from large organizationsDefining “large organization” in this show (e.g., teams 500+ people)Hands-on topics vs. high-level policy: practical, real-world security improvementsConcrete topics you’ll encounter: password management, secure access, and cyber hygiene best practicesThe two main focus areas for episodes: (1) trust, verification, and a holistic view of security (user, device, data, application), and (2) the evolving role of AI in defense and its dual-use risks (deepfakes, AI-enabled attacks)Real-world challenges in AI-assisted security: data handling, AI agents, and safeguarding confidential informationWhy the host started the podcast: personal conversations to share knowledge, help others, and raise the bar for safety in day-to-day lifeChapters 00:00 – 00:24: Introduction to the show and purpose00:24 – 00:39: Meet the host and producer00:39 – 01:08: What this podcast is about01:08 – 01:38: The podcast name and mission01:38 – 02:01: Cyber is everyone’s concern02:01 – 02:27: Cyber hygiene for individuals and businesses02:27 – 03:21: Who will be the guests (CISOs, CTOs, CEOs, leaders)03:21 – 04:50: What teams define “large organization”04:50 – 05:04: Listener benefits05:04 – 06:34: Episode format: honest stories and practical insights06:34 – 07:32: Potential topics: threats, espionage, current events07:32 – 08:04: Everyday topics like password management08:04 – 08:42: Hands-on vs policy discussions08:42 – 09:15: Favorite topics: “trust, verify” and holistic security09:15 – 10:16: The AI angle in security10:16 – 11:04: AI threats and defenses11:04 – 11:32: Why the podcast exists11:32 – 12:00: Closing remarksKey Takeaways:Public sector cybersecurity is not just for government entities; it impacts anyone connected to the internet.A strong security program blends practical, hands-on measures with high-level policy guidance.Trust and verification across people, devices, data, and applications are foundational to modern security.AI accelerates defense capabilities but also expands attack surfaces; proactive risk management and governance are essential.Subscribe to Musings from the Cyber Trench for future episodes featuring frontline security leaders. Leave a comment with topics you’d like to see covered (e.g., password hygiene, zero trust, AI security). Share this episode with colleagues who are responsible for security in large teams or public sector organizations.

Musings from the Cyber Trench Podcast

Musings from the Cyber Trench Podcast is where cybersecurity gets real. It’s for leaders battling red tape, tech debt, and chaos, looking for straight answers, not vendor fluff. Each episode goes deep with people solving the hard problems others avoid.The vision? Bring clarity to complex, high-risk environments. Guests are sharp thinkers and operators from agencies, universities, nonprofits, and regulated industries. This is not selling; This is sharing what it actually takes to protect systems that matter.