Cybersecurity Guide

Cybersecurity Guide is one of the internet's leading resources for cybersecurity education. We produce guides and information about cybersecurity degree options, bootcamps, certifications, and career pathways.

It is our goal to help increase the visibility and access into all of the opportunities available in cybersecurity -- from entry-level to the c-suite, and from intensive bootcamps to PhD research programs.

This podcast is the a companion to cybersecurityguide.org

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21 episodes
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English

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Wednesday · 38 min
Lewis Heuermann | Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Lewis Heuermann is a full-time cybersecurity instructor and undergraduate program coordinator at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, bringing extensive military, industry, and teaching experience to hands-on cybersecurity education. In this episode, Heuermann discusses practical training in areas such as Linux and Windows security, networking, cyber defense, penetration testing, digital forensics, incident response, and security operations, along with student opportunities through the Islander Cyber Society, competitions, community outreach, and industry-focused projects involving critical infrastructure, ports, refineries, drones, and agriculture. He also encourages prospective students and career changers to stay curious, explore different areas of technology, and focus on building practical skills rather than worrying too much about choosing the perfect major at the start. Find more details on Cybersecurity Guide.
August 4 · 32 min
Irvin Heard | University of the Cumberlands
Dr. Irvin Heard is an associate professor at the University of the Cumberlands with experience in cybersecurity, digital forensics, law enforcement, and federal research. His career includes work with NIST, the Department of Defense, and advanced cybersecurity education. Dr. Irvin Heard discusses how his experience in the military, law enforcement, NIST, and digital forensics shaped his practical approach to cybersecurity education. He highlights the University of the Cumberlands’ hands-on, certification-aligned programs and explains pathways in information security, cyber engineering, and digital forensics. Dr. Heard also encourages aspiring professionals to develop foundational skills such as Python and Kali Linux, participate in cybersecurity challenges, and prepare for the growing convergence of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Find this full episode and other great episodes on Cybersecurity Guide.
July 27 · 29 min
Randy Pestana | Florida International University
Randy Pestana is a national security and cybersecurity expert who serves as Director of National Security Policy and Strategic Engagement at Florida International University’s Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy. His experience spans defense policy, regional security cooperation, cybersecurity strategy, and U.S. engagement with international partners. In this episode, Pestana discusses Florida International University’s cybersecurity ecosystem, including technical degrees, cyber policy, threat intelligence, risk management, workforce development, and hands-on learning opportunities. He also advises students to choose a cybersecurity pathway that matches their interests, build practical experience, and develop meaningful professional relationships.
July 21 · 39 min
An interview with David Maimon | Georgia State University
Dr. David Maimon is a professor of criminal justice and criminology at Georgia State University and director of its Evidence-Based Cybersecurity Research Group. His research explores cybercrime, online fraud, offender behavior, threat intelligence, and evidence-based approaches to cybersecurity policy and prevention. In this episode, Dr. Maimon discusses his transition from traditional criminology research to evidence-based cybersecurity, focusing on cybercrime prevention, offender behavior, fraud ecosystems, and the effectiveness of security policies and interventions. He also highlights Georgia State University’s interdisciplinary cybersecurity pathways and advises students to develop curiosity, critical thinking, AI literacy, and skills spanning technology, data analysis, policy, and human behavior. Find more episode details at Cybersecurity Guide.
July 13 · 32 min
Jonathan Graham | Norfolk State University
Dr. Jonathan Graham is a professor at Norfolk State University specializing in cybersecurity, digital forensics, intrusion detection, machine learning, and information assurance. With extensive experience in cybersecurity education and research, he helps prepare students for technical careers in cyber defense, government, industry, and applied research. Graham discusses the importance of strong technical foundations, hands-on labs, digital forensics, AI and machine learning, and understanding human behavior in cybersecurity. Find more info about this episode on Cybersecurity Guide.
July 6 · 26 min
Saltuk Karahan | Old Dominion University
Dr. Saltuk Karahan, a clinical associate professor and deputy director at Old Dominion University’s (ODU) School of Cybersecurity, whose interdisciplinary background spans systems engineering, computer science, international security studies, cyber policy, cyber war, and information/disinformation. In this episode, Karahan explains that cybersecurity is an interdisciplinary field requiring not only technical expertise but also strong communication, leadership, risk management, policy awareness, and understanding of human behavior. The interview also highlights Old Dominion University’s broad cybersecurity programs and his advice that students build depth in one area while staying adaptable, strategic, and committed to lifelong learning. Learn more at CybersecurityGuide.
June 8 · 32 min
Arthur Carter | Radford University
Dr. Arthur Carter is a professor of information systems at Radford University and chair of the Department of Accounting, Finance, and Information Systems. With a background spanning mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering work with the Navy, business information technology, and cybersecurity education, Dr. Carter brings a practical, multidisciplinary perspective to preparing students for both technical and management-focused cybersecurity careers. Dr. Carter discusses the difference between technical cybersecurity roles and cybersecurity management roles, emphasizing that students should explore their interests, strengths, and long-term goals before choosing a pathway. The conversation also highlights Radford University’s multidisciplinary cybersecurity programs, online certificate options, and student outreach efforts, with the key takeaway that cybersecurity offers many possible career directions, from hands-on technical work to policy, risk, management, and leadership. A full transcript of this episode is on Cybersecurity Guide.
May 6 · 28 min
Chris Carroll | Drexel University
Chris Carroll is a teaching professor and program director at Drexel University, where he prepares students for careers in cybersecurity and IT. Drawing on nearly 30 years of industry experience, he brings practical insight into networking, cloud computing, ethical hacking, and secure systems design. Professor Chris Carroll explains how Drexel’s cybersecurity program combines technical IT training with cybersecurity education so students can build practical skills and real career options. He emphasizes that many graduates begin in roles like networking, server administration, or support before moving into cybersecurity, and that Drexel’s co-op model helps students gain that experience early. He also argues that strong fundamentals matter more than chasing every new technology trend. His advice to students is to build good academic habits, explore different areas of IT and security, and pursue certifications strategically once they know their direction and can align them with employer needs. Find the full episode on Cybersecurity Guide.
April 21 · 34 min
Marrci Conner | Henry Ford College
Marrci Conner is a seasoned cybersecurity educator and IT professional who brings more than two decades of industry experience and 17 years of college-level teaching to her work at Henry Ford College. With expertise spanning cybersecurity, networking, programming, and digital forensics, she offers students a rare mix of technical knowledge, business insight, and real-world perspective that helps prepare them for both the classroom and the workforce. Find the full episode on Cybersecurity Guide.
April 8 · 39 min
Diane Murphy | Marymount University
Dr. Diane Murphy of Marymount University explains why the field now offers multiple entry points for students, career changers, and professionals who want to protect systems, data, and people in an increasingly digital world. Drawing on decades of experience across industry, government, entrepreneurship, and higher education, Dr. Murphy shares why modern cybersecurity education must go beyond theory. Her perspective makes a strong case for experiential learning, workforce readiness, and future-focused skills that prepare students not just for today’s jobs, but for the challenges still coming next. More details about this episode are available on Cybersecurity Guide.
March 24 · 34 min
Robert Greenberg | Sam Houston State University
Robert Greenberg, Director of the Cyber Forensics Intelligence Center and Assistant Professor of Practice at Sam Houston State University. With decades of industry experience and a strong background in computer science, he brings practical insight into cybersecurity education, digital forensics, and student career preparation. Robert Greenberg discussed the university’s cybersecurity, digital forensics, and computing pathways. He explains the differences between computer science, cybersecurity, information assurance, and digital forensics, while outlining SHSU’s undergraduate, master’s, certificate, and PhD options. He also emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning, internships, certifications, and extracurricular projects in preparing students for the workforce. The conversation highlights a key takeaway for listeners: succeeding in today’s cybersecurity job market requires more than earning a degree alone. Learn more about the full episode at Cybersecurity Guide.
March 4 · 59 min
Gregory Laidlaw | University of Detroit Mercy
Dr. Gregory Laidlaw emphasizes students need a broad IT foundation (networking, systems, databases) because most entry jobs aren’t purely cybersecurity. He explains the program aligns with national frameworks (including CAE) and industry feedback while focusing on principles over specific tools. He keeps courses like ethical hacking and forensics intentionally challenging, grading documentation, process, and ability to pivot—not just outcomes—while stressing ethics: written permission, clear scope, and leaving no trace. His advice: stay open, try areas you think you won’t like, and use certifications to signal readiness to employers. Find the full episode on Cybersecurity Guide.
February 12 · 33 min
An interview with Ayad Barsoum | St. Mary's University
Dr. Ayad Barsoum is the interim chair of computer science and graduate programs director for cybersecurity at St. Mary's University in San Antonio. In this episode, Barsoum discusses how the school’s NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence designation translates into real value for students, rigorous standards, shared resources, grants, and internship opportunities, while preparing graduates for both private-sector and government roles. Barsoum describes building a comprehensive cybersecurity master’s program with a strong technical core plus business/management and law/ethics, and explains the stackable pathway: a 12-credit graduate certificate (four courses) that can be tailored to goals (e.g., cloud, wireless, cryptography, forensics, risk, policy, AI/cyber, CISSP prep) and then fully applied toward the 33-credit MS. He also outlines prerequisites for non-tech majors, the MS capstone choice between project or research thesis (especially for PhD-bound students), and how the curriculum emphasizes hands-on competence through course projects, demos/defenses, and career supports like internships-for-credit, career fairs, and industry seminars. More details on Cybersecurity Guide.
February 2 · 48 min
Douglas Rausch | Bellevue University
Douglas Rausch is and associate professor and program director of cybersecurity at Bellevue University. Rausch shared his nontraditional path from software and military communications into Air Force cyber operations, and how that experience shapes Bellevue’s workforce-focused cybersecurity program. He emphasizes mastering the systems you defend, prioritizing risk management and business context, and building adaptable, career-ready skills through flexible online/on-campus options, hands-on cyber range scenarios, and a curriculum aligned with national standards and continuously updated with industry input. Find more details about this episode at Cybersecurity Guide.
January 20 · 47 min
Lance Fiondella | University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Dr. Lance Fiondella is a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and the director of the UMass Dartmouth Cybersecurity Center. Fiondella says cybersecurity is about being reliable and tough: plan, handle problems, bounce back, and adjust. It needs strong tech skills, teamwork across subjects like engineering and policy, and good talking skills. He says to do this work to help make the world safer, steadier, and more peaceful. Learn more about this episode at Cybersecurity Guide.
January 6 · 45 min
Todd R Andel | University of South Alabama
Dr. Todd R. Andel is the Dean of the School of Computing at the University of South Alabama, a former U.S. Air Force officer with 23 years of service. In this episode he explains how industry and government partnerships help keep coursework aligned with real-world threats, highlights hands-on learning through labs like digital forensics and hardware security, and shares internship pathways that connect students to regional defense and technology employers. He closes the episode by encouraging students to see cybersecurity’s fast pace as an advantage and to stay curious, adaptable, and committed to continual learning.
Dec 11, 2025 · 29 min
Fan Wu | Tuskegee University
Dr. Fan Wu is the head of Computer Science at Tuskegee University and director of the National Center of Information Assurance Education, with a WPI PhD and over 20 years of leadership advancing hands-on cybersecurity education and research. Dr. Wu discusses how Tuskegee University prepares cybersecurity students through a full BS–MS–PhD pathway, strong hands-on learning (labs, research, internships), and support programs that can reduce student debt. He also highlights key trends like the growing overlap of cybersecurity with AI/data science and other emerging technologies, and advises students to build solid coding and teamwork skills. Read more on CybersecurityGuide.
Nov 19, 2025 · 41 min
Rick Lopez | Northeast Lakeview College
Rick Lopez, an Associate Professor at Northeast Lakeview College (NLC) and former IT consultant. Lopez explains he moved from industry to academia to “transfer skills,” using his Fortune 500 consulting background to teach students not just technical skills but also business communication and big-picture thinking. Northeast Lakeview’s NSA Center of Academic Excellence designation drives a hands-on, workforce-ready curriculum, reinforced by labs, virtual environments, and the highly ranked NightHax competition team. Students gain experience through capture-the-flag–style competitions, conferences (like Texas Cyber Summit and BSides San Antonio), and Tech Talks with industry leaders, which also help them network and understand hiring trends. Looking ahead, Lopez emphasizes that students should build skills in cloud computing, data analytics, and AI/automation, as these areas are increasingly central to cybersecurity careers. Find more on this episode on Cybersecurity Guide.
Oct 24, 2025 · 38 min
Justin Williams | Mount Aloysius College
Justin Williams, is an instructor and chairperson of the Information Technology Department at Mount Aloysius College. Williams shares his personal journey into cybersecurity, starting as a student passionate about understanding cyber threats and now guiding the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. He discusses the hands-on learning opportunities available in Mount Aloysius’ NSA and DHS-recognized cybersecurity programs, including digital forensics, ethical hacking, and more. Williams also provides advice for students considering a career in cybersecurity and discusses emerging trends like AI and quantum computing that will shape the future of the field. Find the full episode on Cybersecurity Guide.
Oct 2, 2025 · 35 min
Shane Allen | OSU-OKC
Shane Allen, an assistant professor of Information Systems and Technologies at Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City. Shane discussed his academic and professional journey, including his early experiences with cybersecurity at Electronic Data Systems. He described the student-centric approach at OSU-OKC, which offers an Associate of Applied Science in IT with a cybersecurity track and a Bachelor of Technology in IT with a cybersecurity concentration. These programs provide a progressive learning pathway with a focus on hands-on, asynchronous online learning. Shane emphasized the importance of a well-rounded education combined with industry certifications to prepare students for diverse careers in the rapidly evolving cybersecurity field. Find more details about this episode.

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