Advertise on podcast: The Hacker's Cache

Is higher pay worth sacrificing stability, purpose, and peace of mind? In this cybersecurity Q&A episode, I share why leaving the Air Force for higher-paying private-sector cybersecurity work came with tradeoffs I did not fully appreciate at the time. I also answer whether government and public-sector cybersecurity jobs offer better job satisfaction, explain how to ethically tailor your LinkedIn job title to match the work you actually perform, discuss my updated cloud certification plan as a Cloud Security Engineer, and lay out a practical beginner penetration testing roadmap using TryHackMe, CompTIA PenTest+, TCM Security certifications, and more. Whether you are choosing between public vs. private sector cybersecurity, trying to break into penetration testing, or planning your next cybersecurity certification, this episode gives you a realistic perspective on building a career that fits your goals. Connect --------------------------------------------------- https://www.KyserClark.com https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter https://youtube.com/KyserClark https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark https://www.instagram/KyserClark https://facebook.com/CyberKyser https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information. Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

More cybersecurity certifications will not automatically fix your career, raise your salary, or create the opportunities you want. In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark shares why he is slowing down after years of nonstop upskilling, pursuing certifications, and pushing toward bigger cybersecurity roles. He breaks down what actually moves the needle in cybersecurity careers: relevant hands-on experience, protecting yourself from burnout, understanding how employers evaluate resumes, and building a sustainable career instead of endlessly chasing the next credential. Whether you are trying to break into cybersecurity, land your first pentesting or cloud security role, or avoid burnout as an experienced professional, this episode offers an honest look at certifications, career growth, salary, job titles, and long-term success in cybersecurity.  Connect --------------------------------------------------- https://www.KyserClark.com https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter https://youtube.com/KyserClark https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark https://www.instagram/KyserClark https://facebook.com/CyberKyser https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information. Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

Cybersecurity is evolving fast, but does that mean you need a degree, OSCP, or an endless stack of certifications to keep up? In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark sits down with returning guest Richie Vinson (4NU81X), an associate security researcher at Kobold.io and founder of Forsec, to talk honestly about breaking into cybersecurity through nontraditional paths. They discuss the current cybersecurity job market, AI security and AI red teaming, whether artificial intelligence will replace cybersecurity jobs, how to build a portfolio that gets past the HR firewall, choosing certifications for the learning value, and why burnout is becoming one of the industry’s biggest problems. Richie also shares how he built a cybersecurity career without a degree or OSCP, his approach to mentoring aspiring professionals, and his prediction for the future of cybersecurity. Connect with Richie Vinsion (4NU81X):  Discord: anubix0666 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r2600 Website:hackmyrtle.com YT: @x4realPodcastx Connect --------------------------------------------------- https://www.KyserClark.com https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter https://youtube.com/KyserClark https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark https://www.instagram/KyserClark https://facebook.com/CyberKyser https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information. Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

I barely went to any talks at DEF CON this year, and that was completely intentional. In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I break down my second DEF CON experience, why I believe networking and community can be more valuable than trying to attend every talk, how to make connections even if you’re introverted, what first-time attendees should expect, and whether DEF CON is actually worth the cost. I also share practical tips for surviving the conference, making the most of the villages and meetups, navigating Las Vegas, and why DEF CON has become one of the most valuable cybersecurity events I plan to attend every year. Connect --------------------------------------------------- https://www.KyserClark.com https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter https://youtube.com/KyserClark https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark https://www.instagram/KyserClark https://facebook.com/CyberKyser https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information. Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

The cybersecurity job market is more competitive than ever, even for experienced and highly certified professionals. In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I share the harsh reality of getting hired in cybersecurity, why breaking into penetration testing has become so difficult, and what employers expect from candidates entering offensive security roles. I also explain what companies charge for penetration tests, what new pentesters should expect on the job, which cybersecurity certifications were actually worth earning, and whether certifications provide more career value than a cybersecurity degree. If you are trying to land a cybersecurity job, transition into a new security role, or decide where to invest your time and money, this episode provides an honest look at the challenges, expectations, and career decisions professionals face in the current market. Connect --------------------------------------------------- https://www.KyserClark.com https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter https://youtube.com/KyserClark https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark https://www.instagram/KyserClark https://facebook.com/CyberKyser https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information. Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I break down exactly how to negotiate a cybersecurity salary, answer salary expectation questions, counter a job offer, and ask for more money without talking yourself out of the opportunity. I share the negotiation scripts I use, real counteroffer emails that earned me thousands more, why you should avoid naming the first number, how to evaluate total compensation, and how I negotiated above a company’s stated salary cap. Whether you are preparing for a cybersecurity interview, reviewing a new job offer, or trying to get paid what you are worth, this episode gives you practical cybersecurity salary negotiation strategies you can use throughout your career. Connect --------------------------------------------------- https://www.KyserClark.com https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter https://youtube.com/KyserClark https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark https://www.instagram/KyserClark https://facebook.com/CyberKyser https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information. Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

Why are qualified cybersecurity professionals submitting hundreds of applications and still getting ghosted? In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark breaks down the honest reasons cybersecurity resumes get rejected, including rigid experience requirements, ATS filters, job-title matching, internal candidates, intense competition for remote roles, and the shrinking number of offensive security opportunities. Drawing from his own recent cybersecurity job search, multiple final-round interviews, repeated rejections, and successful transition into a Cloud Security Engineer role, Kyser explains what employers are really evaluating and how networking, flexibility, cloud skills, and targeted applications can improve your chances of landing a cybersecurity job. Connect --------------------------------------------------- https://www.KyserClark.com https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter https://youtube.com/KyserClark https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark https://www.instagram/KyserClark https://facebook.com/CyberKyser https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information. Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

Whether you're trying to break into cybersecurity or level up your career, knowing which skills actually matter can save you years of wasted time. In this episode of The Hacker's Cache, I rank the top 10 cybersecurity skills for 2026, explain why each one is important, and share the best ways to learn them through certifications, TryHackMe, Hack The Box, books, hands on practice, and real world experience. We cover networking fundamentals, Windows and Linux, cloud security, identity and access management (IAM), risk assessment, incident response, application security (AppSec), Python automation and scripting, AI security, communication, and problem solving. Whether you're pursuing a career in penetration testing, ethical hacking, SOC analysis, cybersecurity engineering, red teaming, blue teaming, or AI security, this episode will help you prioritize your learning roadmap and focus on the skills employers value most.  Connect --------------------------------------------------- https://www.KyserClark.com https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter https://youtube.com/KyserClark https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark https://www.instagram/KyserClark https://facebook.com/CyberKyser https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information. Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

If I had to start my cybersecurity career over in 2026, there are a few things I would do differently. In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I break down my full cybersecurity journey from joining the Air Force, earning Security+, Linux+, CCNA, CISSP, OSCP, and other certifications, becoming a penetration tester, building a YouTube channel, dealing with burnout, and pivoting into AI security. I share my biggest cybersecurity career regrets, what was actually worth it, what I would skip, and the advice I’d give to anyone trying to break into cybersecurity today. Connect --------------------------------------------------- https://www.KyserClark.com https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter https://youtube.com/KyserClark https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark https://www.instagram/KyserClark https://facebook.com/CyberKyser https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information. Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

In this Q&A episode of the Hackers Cache Podcast, I answer one of the biggest questions in cybersecurity today: Is cybersecurity still worth getting into? I share my honest thoughts after a month of job hunting, interview rejections, burnout, and watching the industry change because of AI. We also take a behind-the-scenes look at what a real penetration testing engagement looks like from kickoff call to final report, including the parts no one talks about, and I break down exactly what penetration testers can expect to earn based on my own salary history and negotiations. If you're considering a career in cybersecurity or wondering where the industry is headed, this episode offers an unfiltered perspective you won't hear in most places. Connect --------------------------------------------------- https://www.KyserClark.com https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter https://youtube.com/KyserClark https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark https://www.instagram/KyserClark https://facebook.com/CyberKyser https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information. Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

Is cybersecurity really for everyone? In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache Podcast, Kyser Clark shares his personal experience with cybersecurity burnout, the realities of breaking into the industry, and why many aspiring professionals never make it. We discuss cybersecurity careers, penetration testing, ethical hacking, certifications like the OSCP, CISSP, and Security+, work-life balance, job market challenges, AI’s impact on cybersecurity jobs, and the sacrifices required to succeed in information security. Whether you're studying for your first certification, trying to land your first cybersecurity job, or already working in the field and feeling burned out, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to build a successful cybersecurity career in today's competitive landscape. Connect --------------------------------------------------- https://www.KyserClark.com https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter https://youtube.com/KyserClark https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark https://www.instagram/KyserClark https://facebook.com/CyberKyser https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information. Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

In this deeply personal solo episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark opens up about severe cybersecurity burnout, getting let go from his pentesting job, and why he disappeared from content creation for over six months. Kyser shares the reality of working 80 to 90-hour workweeks in offensive security, balancing penetration testing, certifications, content creation, AI studies, and an MBA, while completely neglecting his personal life. He breaks down the hidden downsides of consulting pentest work, difficult clients, burnout in cybersecurity careers, identity struggles after job loss, and the harsh truth about today’s cybersecurity job market. Whether you’re an aspiring ethical hacker, penetration tester, cybersecurity student, or seasoned security professional, this episode offers brutally honest insight into cybersecurity careers, work-life balance, mental health, job burnout, and what it really takes to survive long-term in the industry.  Relevant Links:  Watch This Before You Become a Penetration Tester: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJKvmPoBYOs&t=1s Kyser's Gaming Channel: https://www.twitch.tv/skcorpion86 Connect --------------------------------------------------- https://www.KyserClark.com https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter https://youtube.com/KyserClark https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark https://www.instagram/KyserClark https://facebook.com/CyberKyser https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information. Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, I sit down with Marco Figueroa, security researcher, former Intel threat hunter, and current Mozilla AI bug bounty leader, to discuss how artificial intelligence is already reshaping cybersecurity. We dive into AI powered vulnerability discovery, malware development, nation state threats, automation, burnout in security roles, and why average cybersecurity professionals risk being left behind if they ignore AI. Marco shares real world insights from reverse engineering malware, tracking advanced persistent threats, building AI security tooling, and jailbreaking modern language models. This conversation is a deep look into the future of hacking, offensive security, and what cybersecurity professionals must do now to stay relevant in an industry changing faster than ever before.  Connect with Marco on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-figueroa-re/ Connect --------------------------------------------------- https://www.KyserClark.com https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter https://youtube.com/KyserClark https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark https://www.instagram/KyserClark https://facebook.com/CyberKyser https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information. Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache Podcast, I sit down with Tyler Ramsbey to discuss why he quit his cybersecurity job to build his own penetration testing company, Kairos Sec, and hacking education platform, HackSmarter. We dive into the reality of cybersecurity entrepreneurship, burnout, work-life balance, OSCP and PNPT certifications, AI in penetration testing, red teaming, OffSec’s “Try Harder” culture, and what it actually takes to succeed in offensive security. If you're interested in ethical hacking, penetration testing, cybersecurity careers, red teaming, or building your own business in tech, this episode is packed with honest insights and real-world experience from two professional pentesters.  Connect with Tyler Ramsbey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-ramsbey-86221643/ Connect --------------------------------------------------- https://www.KyserClark.com https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter https://youtube.com/KyserClark https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark https://www.instagram/KyserClark https://facebook.com/CyberKyser https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information. Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, Kyser Clark sits down with HD Moore, the legendary creator of Metasploit and CEO of RunZero, to discuss why relying on CVEs is putting organizations at risk in 2025. They unpack the truth about vulnerabilities that never get CVEs, the hidden dangers of SSH exposures, and why attackers are outpacing defenders through innovation. HD also shares bold takes on AI’s role in cybersecurity, the overreliance on tools and certifications, and why exposing version numbers might actually make systems safer. This episode is packed with insights every ethical hacker, pentester, and cybersecurity professional needs to hear. Connect with HD Moore: https://hdm.io/ Connect --------------------------------------------------- https://www.KyserClark.com https://www.KyserClark.com/Newsletter https://youtube.com/KyserClark https://www.linkedin.com/in/KyserClark https://www.twitter.com/KyserClark https://www.instagram/KyserClark https://facebook.com/CyberKyser https://twitch.tv/KyserClark_Cybersecurity https://www.tiktok.com/@kyserclark https://discord.gg/ZPQYdBV9YY Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information. Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.