Cyber Empathy – Details, episodes & analysis
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Cyber Empathy
Andra Zaharia
Frequency: 1 episode/20d. Total Eps: 46

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Apple Podcasts
🇫🇷 France - technology
30/12/2024#98
Spotify
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See all- https://drgabormate.com/
386 shares
- https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/
155 shares
- https://www.cnvc.org/
108 shares
- https://twitter.com/agent0x0
117 shares
- https://twitter.com/andrazaharia
45 shares
- https://twitter.com/shehackspurple
34 shares
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See allScore global : 73%
Publication history
Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.
Empathy over ego: why we're angry at the wrong people in cybersecurity
Season 5 · Episode 6
mardi 2 avril 2024 • Duration 58:15
Whenever someone says humans are the weakest link in cybersecurity, besides educating through fear, they are crafting a narrative, creating a reality in people's heads, and making them feel helpless against cyber criminals.
My guest, Lianne Potter, feels utterly differently about how to educate people on cybersecurity. Instead of fear, she advocates for empowering them through trust, autonomy, and, above all things, reciprocity.
Lianne is a Cyber Anthropologist, Head of Security Operations at Asda, a published author, host of the Compromising Positions podcast, keynote speaker, and multi-award-winning cybersecurity specialist. She recently won Computing.com's Security Specialist of the Year award, and, in 2021, she was named one of the Security Leaders of the Year and Woman of the Year in the Enterprise category.
This conversation is yet another opportunity to discover the dedication, kindness, and thoughtfulness that brought Lianne all these well-deserved achievements.
Throughout our conversation, she brought her brilliant and unique vision of cybersecurity. We discussed cybersecurity's own microculture in the tech space, its rituals and habits, and how cybersecurity specialists can transform how they educate the people they serve.
Lianne proposed brilliant ideas like ritualizing protection, empowering people through trust and autonomy instead of micromanaging and fear, cultivating the' hero mentality, and more.
Episode highlights:
- The moment Lianne fell in love with cybersecurity (6:40)
- What makes cybersecurity's micro-culture so attractive (10:20)
- The 3 main traits of cybersecurity (14:30)
- Why reciprocity is crucial in cybersecurity (17:20)
- Why trust and autonomy are the biggest gifts cybersecurity can offer (20:00)
- Lianne’s experience with joining her first cybersecurity team (26:30)
- The importance of how we communicate things (37:10)
- Why educating through fear never works (42:00)
Resources Mentioned:
- Lianne on LinkedIn
- Lianne on Twitter / X
- The Compromising Positions podcast
- Lianne on Tom Eston’s Shared Security Podcast
- What is a Cyber Anthropologist? Lianne Potter on The Brainy Business Podcast
- Wearables, Shareables, Unbearables - The IoT and AI Tech Nobody Asked For but Cybercriminals Love!
Let's connect!
A hacker's guide to changing the world
Season 5 · Episode 5
mardi 19 mars 2024 • Duration 43:51
Joshua Corman is a security strategist, philosopher, and co-founder of I am The Cavalry, a collective of professionals from technology, law, and public policy who work to mitigate the impact software-enabled and always-connected devices have on public safety and human life.
We had a deeply moving conversation about Joshua's influential work in cybersecurity, the birth of I Am The Cavalry, and his experiences navigating tough life transitions.
Using his masterful ability to capture thoughts, feelings, and experiences, Joshua brings to life the essence of building genuine connections, fostering trust, and caring deeply for others - and the role these play in using cybersecurity for a worthy goal.
Episode Highlights:
- Joshua shares a valuable lesson a stranger taught him about empathy (3:10)
- About the feeling that gave birth to I Am The Cavalry (8:00)
- Why bother? Because we want to be safer sooner (15:40)
- There's nothing more intoxicating than having an impact, material progress, and tangible wins (22:40)
- What is the next wave of empathy in cybersecurity (28:20)
- You don't need to be famous to make the world better (36:40)
Resources Mentioned:
- I Am The Cavalry website
- I Am The Cavalry Twitter
- I Am The Cavalry - Hippocratic Oath for Connected Medical Devices
- Swimming with sharks - security in the Internet of Things: Joshua Corman at TEDx Naperville
- Jack Daniel's LinkedIn profile
- Beau Woods's website
- Claus Cramon Houmann's LinkedIn profile
- Cyber Summit 2020: Opening Remarks from Josh Corman
- 10 Years After…My Thoughts on Josh Corman's BSides Las Vegas 2023 Keynote
- Everclear - Heartspark Dollarsign
- BSides Las Vegas
- ShmooCon
Connect with Joshua:
Let's connect!
Cybertrauma: the invisible scars of constant connectivity
Season 4 · Episode 6
mardi 7 novembre 2023 • Duration 50:59
Among the undeniable advantages of the hyperconnected world we learned to live in, some adverse effects lurk behind the algorithm's rewards. They’re damaging our personal and professional relationships and younger generations' sense of reciprocity, attention span, and ability to assess danger.
Our world is already a mesh between digital and analog experiences, rapidly leaning into making virtual interactions the norm.
So what can we expect to happen to us, biological beings, in non-biological settings?
In this episode, Catherine Knibbs joins us to talk about cybertrauma, how it feels, how it works, and how we can deal with it.
As a Cybertrauma Clinician and Researcher, international educator, Consultant, TEDx Speaker, and the Author of "Cybertrauma: The Darker Side of the Internet for Children and Young People," Catherine’s experience pierces deep into the invisible effects of the cyber territory on our bodies, emotions, and minds.
Throughout our conversation, she invites us to rethink our relationship with technology, the impact of social media on the development of children, and how our phones' omnipresence affects our relationship with our kids, significant others, and colleagues.
Catherine also shares why she started studying this issue and explains the importance of self-care and creating healthy boundaries with social media.
We also discuss cyberbullying, the effects traumatic content has on our minds and bodies, smartphone addiction, and more.
In this episode, you will learn:
- What cybertrauma really is (3:40)
- How the body absorbs and responds to cybertrauma (11:00)
- The devastating effects of the constant presence of cell phones (18:20)
- Why we feel compelled to jump onto social media (24:00)
- The effects of virtual reality environments on our brains (28:20)
- What led Catherine to dedicate herself to studying cybertrauma (32:10)
- What we can do to help ourselves adapt to these challenges (40:00)
Resources mentioned:
- Bodies, Brains, and Technology - The Real Social Dilemma | Catherine Knibbs | TEDxDoncaster
- Book: Catherine Knibbs - CYBERTRAUMA: THE DARKER SIDE OF THE INTERNET FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
- Dr. Gabor Maté's website
- The Social Dilemma
- The Polyvagal Theory
- Transactional analysis
- Epigenetics
- Breneé Brown about Empathy
- Alexithymia
- Cleveland Clinic - Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
- Mark Zuckerberg: First Interview in the Metaverse | Lex Fridman Podcast #398
- Book: Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D. - The Power of Showing Up
Connect with Catherine:
Let's connect!
Where passion meets purpose: exploring security as a universal value
Season 4 · Episode 5
mardi 31 octobre 2023 • Duration 39:59
The world has seen many transformations in the workspace during the last few years; some of them stuck, some didn't. Workers prioritizing personal relationships over economic benefits, for instance, is not considered a fad anymore; it is the norm.
The relationship people developed with their jobs has radically changed, and empathy played a major role in that transformation. Slowly but surely, we are witnessing how cybersecurity detaches from the old and cold "it's just business" approach.
Today, Molly McLain Sterling joins us to share her thoughts on empathy and the role of connection in cybersecurity, while exploring communication techniques in cybersecurity, leadership, and more.
Molly is the Director of Global Security Culture at Medtronic, CISO Advisor, Top Rated SANS Speaker, Security Evangelist, and Behavioral Science Human Risk Management Leader.
Molly has a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts (B.F.A in Music Theater), which is a testament to how fertile the cybersecurity space is. People with virtually any background can repurpose their skills and flourish in cybersecurity.
Throughout this episode, you'll hear about Molly's journey into cybersecurity and the acting techniques she adapted to her leadership role to improve her communication skills. Molly also talks about how she transformed Security Awareness into Security Empowerment and grew it into a security culture that now supports over 100000 people in 150 countries. This also led to discuss how scalable empathy really is, the power of delivering a consistent message, bringing leadership's attention to the importance of cybersecurity, and more examples from Molly’s fantastic work.
Tune into this episode to learn:
- Why building a security culture is a job we can do alone (3:30)
- What you need to bring people together around a topic that’s not their primary job (12:10)
- How to scale the use of empathy within an organization (16:50)
- Acting tips and advice for improving how you communicate (23:40)
- How to get leadership to take an interest in cybersecurity (32:40)
Connect with Molly:
Let's connect!
Why being kind is the harder thing to do
Season 4 · Episode 4
mardi 24 octobre 2023 • Duration 50:26
In today's episode, I'm joined by one of the first people who raised the empathy flag in cybersecurity and inspired the creation of this podcast, Jayson E. Street. Despite National Geographic describing him as a "World Class Hacker," he sees himself simply as a Hacker, a Helper, and a Human.
Discover the transformative power of conscious kindness as he bares his soul in a deeply personal and heart-stirring conversation. Navigating the intricate dance of human imperfections, Jayson shares moving tales of sacrifice, flawed humanity, and the hidden emotional labor behind genuine acts of goodness.
This isn't about feel-good stories or being the hero; it's about choosing to be kind even when the world doesn't seem to reward it.
Come along to discover Jayson's candid journey, from roadside moments of compassion to profound responsibilities, and uncover the true essence of self-improvement and the impact of small gestures. Let his vulnerability inspire you to embrace your own complexities and fuel a more compassionate way of being in the world.
This episode might move you to act, think, and love with greater intention.
Listen to this episode to learn:
- What makes Jason keep fighting alongside the good guys in cybersecurity (5:00)
- Why Jason decided to plunge into cybersecurity and never look back (9:40)
- How to bridge the gap between security specialists and the people they serve (16:00)
- Why it’s essential to address the emotional side of cybersecurity work (23:10)
- How our polarized society negative impacts the cybersecurity space (32:20)
- Why being kind and doing the right thing are conscious choices (39:00)
Resources mentioned:
- A high-functioning sociopath's guide to empathy
- Seth's Blog
- Penetration tester Jayson E. Street helps banks by hacking them
- Breakthrough S02E02 Cyber Terror
- Book: Jayson E. Street - Dissecting the hack: The F0rb1dd3n Network
- Hacker Adventures World
- DefCamp the hacking conference
Connect with Jayson:
Let's connect!
Why cybersecurity thrives on authenticity, confidence, deep empathy
Season 4 · Episode 3
mardi 17 octobre 2023 • Duration 49:51
The "good vs. evil" battle is an integral part of cybersecurity's origin story. While it’s motivating and energizing, it also comes with language derived from military vocabulary, that brings a certain level of hostility and aggression.
That’s why, often, the language we use in cybersecurity alienates the very people we’re trying to help.
In this episode, the kind and compassionate Dr. Jessica Barker joins me for a conversation about the most underrated skill in cybersecurity: empathy. We also touch on using psychology and data to improve cybersecurity awareness and culture, optimism as a confidence builder, and more.
We had a fantastic conversation about the evolution of cybersecurity culture and Jessica's massively influential work on revamping cybersecurity vocabulary, whose impact reaches far beyond industry confines. Blending introspection and actionable insight, we also discuss imposter syndrome, balancing constant evolution with self-compassion, and other essential topics we deeply care about.
Listen to this episode to discover:
- Why the world is actually way better than we perceive it (4:50)
- Why cybersecurity is about protecting people (14:00)
- The origins of Jessica's social approach to cybersecurity (19:40)
- How to strive for improvement without damaging our health (29:20)
- Dr. Jessica's tips for fighting imposter syndrome (35:50)
- Why empathy is the most underrated skill in cybersecurity (45:30)
The 7 habits of highly empathetic people
Season 4 · Episode 2
mardi 10 octobre 2023 • Duration 55:25
“Knowing and not doing is the same as not knowing.”
Join Sebastian Avarvarei and myself as we dive deep into the layers of self-development, cybersecurity, and the crucial blend of technical acumen with soft skills.
Sebastian, with his rich experience in security, sheds light on his evolution from proficient technical leader to becoming a deeply compassionate leader in the cybersecurity industry.
I can’t wait for you to discover his unique approach to leadership, the influence "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" had on his managerial style, and the power of practice in transforming knowledge into actionable wisdom.
From overcoming the fear of public speaking to leading with the heart, and the role of empathy in cybersecurity, this conversation overflows with inspiration for professional growth and personal development. We’ll also touch on the importance of being kind to ourselves, of acknowledging that it’s okay not to be okay, why practicing appreciative listening can be life-changing, and so much more.
Whether you're a seasoned expert or a newbie in cybersecurity, there's a nugget of wisdom for you in this conversation.
In this episode, you will learn:
- How Sebastian discovered the power of speaking from the heart (6:40)
- How Stephen Covey's book influenced Sebastian (11:10)
- Be ready to learn at any moment (24:50)
- Why we must be kind to ourselves (34:00)
- The importance of time management in empathetic leadership (37:20)
- The clarifying question that creates alignment (46:40)
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: Stephen Covey - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- Sebastian Avarvei at DefCamp 2022 - What if I told you that Security is here to help?
- DefCamp website
- Book: Ryan Holiday - Ego is the Enemy
- Book: Douglas Stone, Sheila Heen - Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well
- The Cyber Empathy Manifesto
- Cyber Empathy. Episode #1 - Why I chose an empathetic approach to cybersecurity
- About Sebastian's happy place
- Appreciative Listening on Wikipedia
- Situational Leadership Theory on Wikipedia
Connect with Sebastian:
Let's connect!
Facing fear and finding joy - how I put empathy to work
Season 4 · Episode 1
mardi 3 octobre 2023 • Duration 17:18
"To see others more clearly, set aside your opinions, advice, and judgment, and put their truth above your own." Greg McKeown
In this episode, as an opener for Cyber Empathy's fourth season, I'll take you through some updates on the show and my personal life and share the topics we will be exploring this season. I’ll share how my loved ones’ unconditional love supported me through the taxing situations I had to deal with in the last year, and how our community granted me the honor of two awards at the 2023 European Cyber Security Blogger Awards, making Cyber Empathy the Most Educational Podcast, and the Best New Cybersecurity Podcast!
Today's episode is also a reminder of why Dave and I embarked on this podcasting adventure that brought us nothing but joy; you'll hear about the most significant lessons podcasting taught us, my favorite reads for this year, and more.
In this episode, you will learn:
- A bit about how challenging last year was for me (2:20)
- Not everything has to be as hard as we think (6:10)
- A refresher on why this podcast exists and how I hope to serve you (9:40)
- The key topics we’ll dig into in season 4 (13:20)
Resources:
- The art of listening - Cyber Empathy season 2, episode 9
- Book: Greg McKeown - Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most
- Book: Cixin Liu - Remembrance of Earth's Past: The Three-Body Trilogy
- Dave’s latest work
Let's connect!
Ethical hackers and the legacy of the Hacker Manifesto
Season 3 · Episode 10
mardi 23 mai 2023 • Duration 49:44
Thinking of The Hacker Manifesto solely as a rant against corporations, the government, and all authorities is reductive. The volume also appeals to curiosity and a constructive rebellious spirit, which form the basis of hacker culture.
Curiosity fuels hackers to break things down and figure out how they work so they can improve them. It also drives them to ask questions that are different, unexpected, and that lead to paths less traveled.
In today's episode, we go down one of those paths with experienced leader, team manager, and security professional, Tom Eston. In his over 20 years of cybersecurity work, Tom has successfully led ethical hacking teams and improved industry-standard testing methodologies. He has also been creating podcasts since long before they were cool, and now you can listen to him on the Shared Security Podcast, which he co-founded and co-hosts.
Throughout our conversation, Tom looks at the 1986 Hacker Manifesto from an unexpected angle, shares his thoughts on the potential of the massive amount of information available for aspiring ethical hackers, and shares examples of how to guide young white hat hackers and help them calibrate their moral compass.
We also talk about the time Tom faced an ethical dilemma as a leader and his experiences being on the receiving end of empathy in cybersecurity.
In this episode, you will learn:
- What drives people to invest their mental and emotional energy in cybersecurity (4:40)
- How to deal with burnout as a cybersecurity fiend (8:20)
- Why we live in the golden age of training and how to take advantage of it (14:10)
- A practical example of how to deal with ethical dilemmas in cybersecurity (21:40)
- How young hackers can learn to balance the power they have to manipulate systems with being on the right side of history (30:00)
- The importance of "knowing your audience" when reporting cybersecurity issues (39:50)
- How The Hacker Manifesto holds up today and what could make it even more useful for ethical hackers (45:43)
Resources:
- Visit Tom’s blog Spylogic
- The Shared Security podcast
- The Shared Security podcast - Exploring the Role of Empathy in Cybersecurity with Andra Zaharia
- The Shared Security podcast - Juice jacking debunked, photographer vs. AI dataset, Google authenticator risks
- The Hacker Manifesto
Connect with Tom:
Let's connect!
Empathy in cybersecurity is about picking a side
Season 3 · Episode 9
mardi 9 mai 2023 • Duration 48:28
Regardless of the power, wealth, or influence a person or company might have, the only thing that can protect them from being hacked is another great (ethical) hacker.
Although the dark side of cybersecurity has several routes to explore and experiment with, they all have the same destination, and – spoiler alert – it is never a happy place. That’s why empathy in cybersecurity is about picking a side: you either use your skills to harm people or to protect them from cybercriminals.
In today's episode, I'm joined by the incredibly talented and eloquent Jenny Radcliffe, The People Hacker. She is a Social Engineer, Author, Burglar for Hire, Award-winning Podcast Host, Keynote Speaker, Panelist, and a 2022 Infosec Hall of Fame Inductee. Her latest book, "People Hacker: Confessions Of A Burglar For Hire," reveals how she gains access to top-grade private and commercial properties using her inimitable blend of psychology, stagecraft, and charm.
We had a fantastic conversation about what it really means to be a social engineer, why she believes empathy in cybersecurity is about picking a side, and the importance of learning to manage emotions as a defense mechanism against malicious hackers. Jenny also shared her thoughts on gaps in the education system, the importance of mastering so-called "soft skills," and so much more!
In this episode, you can expand your views with:
- A bit about Jenny's background and why she became a social engineer (3:10)
- How understanding our emotions prepares us to deal with cybercriminals (8:00)
- What it really means to be a social engineer and why it’s not what most people think (11:30)
- What readers got from Jenny’s book and the impact it’s had (17:00)
- Why empathy, just like cybersecurity, only works when you use it (24:20)
- Why the gaps in the education system make entire generations susceptible to bad actors’ tactics (33:20)
- Why Jenny doesn't use the word "mentor" to describe her guides in the industry (39:00)
Resources:
- Book: Jenny Radcliffe - People Hacker: Confessions Of A Burglar For Hire
- Jenny’s Human Factor Security podcast
- TedX Talk - Surrounded by lies (but never happier)
- How I Fooled A £2 mil Security System
- Meet Jenny Radcliffe, the People Hacker
- How To Protect Yourself From Hackers | Inside The Mind Of The People Hacker
- People Hacker TV series
- Brett Johnson - Twitter
- I’m not Snow White. I have to think like a criminal’: how I became a burglar for hire
Resources:
- Book: Jenny Radcliffe - People Hacker: Confessions Of A Burglar For Hire
- TedX Talk - Surrounded by lies (but never happier)
- How I Fooled A £2mil Security System
- Meet Jenny Radcliffe, the People Hacker
- How To Protect Yourself From Hackers | Inside The Mind Of The People Hacker
- People Hacker TV series
- Brett Johnson - Twitter
- I’m not Snow White. I have to think like a criminal’: how I became a burglar for hire
Connect with Jenny:
Let's connect!









