Autonomous IT, Live! True Stories From the Hacker Underworld, E05
Download MP3In this episode of the Autonomous IT, host Landon Miles dives deep into the world of vulnerabilities, exploits, and the psychology behind cyberattacks. From the story of Log4j and its massive global impact to the difference between hackers and attackers, this episode explores how and why breaches happen—and what can be done to stop them.
Joining Landon is Jason Kikta, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at Automox, Marine Corps veteran, and former leader at U.S. Cyber Command. Together, they break down attacker motivations, how to recognize threat patterns, and why understanding your own network better than your adversaries is the key to effective defense.
Key Takeaways:
- The five stages of a vulnerability: introduction, discovery, disclosure, exploitation, and patching.
- Why Log4j became one of the most devastating vulnerabilities in modern history.
- How to identify attacker types and motivations.
- The mindset and methodology of effective defense.
- Why “good IT starts with good security.”
Whether you're a cybersecurity professional, IT leader, or just curious about how cyberattacks really work, this episode offers practical insights from the front lines of digital defense.
Creators and Guests
Host
Jason Kikta
Jason Kikta is the Chief Technology Officer at Automox, where he leads the Product, Engineering, and IT/Security organizations. He has over 30 years of experience in IT, beginning with independent consulting and spanning more than two decades of military service, building and operating communications networks across the globe. During seven years at US Cyber Command’s Cyber National Mission Force, he focused on countering state actors and ransomware threats to critical infrastructure. Jason is an adjunct lecturer for the Alperovitch Institute at Johns Hopkins SAIS and an adjunct senior technical advisor to the Institute for Security and Technology, focused on AI, cybersecurity, and ransomware.
Host
Landon Miles
Landon Miles is the host of the Hands-On IT podcast. Landon’s profound passion for technology isn't just evident in his voice, it’s apparent in how he breaks down cutting-edge tech trends, formats user-friendly tutorials, and gets into the weeds of the complexities of IT technologies. His approach makes the Hands-On IT podcast an essential resource for both seasoned IT pros and those new to the field, looking to enrich their tech experience. With a background that spans various facets of technology, Landon brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to each episode.
