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The Other Side Of The Firewall

The Other Side Of The Firewall

Written by: Ryan Williams
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About this listen

 Cybersecurity is an ever growing field and representation within it matters more than ever! We here at The Other Side of the Firewall podcast, strive to highlight those movers and shakers and glass ceiling breakers. People of Color, who have made it to the other side of the proverbial firewall into those Senior and C-suite level positions. Aside from the interviews of IT Professionals, just like you, our crew will have fun discussing the latest and greatest news, measures to protect yourself from bad actors on the inter-webs and sprinkle in some games and entertainment as well. Enjoy! Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theothersideofthefirewall/supportRyan Williams Politics & Government
Episodes
  • From Marine Corps Pianist to Cybersecurity Entrepreneur Ft. Wilson Bautista Jr.

    From Marine Corps Pianist to Cybersecurity Entrepreneur Ft. Wilson Bautista Jr.
    Feb 17 2026
    In this episode of Ask a CISSP, Ryan Williams Sr. interviews Wilson Bautista Jr., founder and CEO of Jun Cyber. They discuss Wilson's unique journey from being a pianist in the Marine Corps to transitioning into cybersecurity. Wilson shares insights on building his company, June Cyber, and the challenges he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also talks about the creation of BSides St. Pete, a community-focused cybersecurity conference, and his commitment to mentorship and giving back to the community. The conversation highlights Wilson's innovative spirit, including his development of a pickleball training app and his plans for future initiatives in AI and cybersecurity education. Wilson's Socials: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bautistawilson/ Company - https://juncyber.com/ Nonprofit - https://cyberohanaproject.org/about-us/ Please LISTEN 🎧 LIKE 👍🏿 and SHARE ❤️ Thanks! Socials: Website - www.ramcyber.io Heroes Media Group: https://www.heroesmediagroup.com/shows/the-other-side-of-the-firewall/ Audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-other-side-of-the-firewall/id1542479181 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theothersideofthefirewall7511 ReppedFLIX - https://lnkd.in/eVis2CbS WDJY 99.1 FM: https://www.wdjyfm.com/ TuneIn: https://lnkd.in/e2crcZU8 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556539026086 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theothersideofthefw X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/Ask_a_CISSP TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanwilliams683 Medium - https://medium.com/@ryanwilliamssenior Subscribe to LinkedIn Newsletter - https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7172626552545865728 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-other-side-of-the-firewall/ Ryan on Twitter, LinkedIn, Clubhouse, and Threads - @ryrysecurityguy Chris on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisabacon/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ask a CISSP 00:51 Wilson Bautista's Unique Journey 06:06 Transitioning from Music to Military 09:49 Entering the Cybersecurity Field 14:54 Building June Cyber 20:57 Challenges of Entrepreneurship 25:50 The Importance of Family in Business 29:01 Involvement in B-Sides Conferences 30:07 Building Community in Cybersecurity 33:21 The Journey of Entrepreneurship 35:19 The Drive to Innovate and Create 42:07 Balancing Work and Personal Life 43:21 Innovations in Cybersecurity Tools 51:25 Finding Joy in Family and Hobbies #cybersecurity # entrepreneurship #mentorship
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    49 mins
  • The Cybersecurity Ecosystem We’ve All Been Waiting For Ft. Mary N. Chaney, Esq

    The Cybersecurity Ecosystem We’ve All Been Waiting For Ft. Mary N. Chaney, Esq
    Feb 3 2026
    In this episode of The Other Side of the Firewall's, Ask a CISSP, host Ryan Williams Sr. welcomes Mary N. Chaney, Esq, a multifaceted professional in cybersecurity and law. Mary shares her inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Cincinnati to becoming a special agent for the FBI, where she investigated cyber crimes. As a law professional with extensive experience in corporate cybersecurity, she transitioned into entrepreneurship, founding multiple organizations aimed at empowering minorities in the tech space. Mary discusses her current initiatives, including Minorities in Cybersecurity (MiC), which focuses on leadership development and mentorship, and the Mary N. Chaney Cybersecurity Training Center (MNC-CTC), designed to provide hands-on training for aspiring cybersecurity professionals. Throughout the conversation, Mary emphasizes the importance of business fluency in cybersecurity, arguing that technical skills alone are insufficient for career advancement. She highlights the challenges faced by entry-level professionals in the industry, particularly the unrealistic expectations for experience. Mary also discusses her vision for creating a supportive ecosystem for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, including mentorship, training, and job placement services. The episode concludes with insights into her upcoming initiatives, including the 2026 MiC Annual Conference (March 22-26, 2026) and a residency program aimed at bridging the gap between education and employment in cybersecurity. Mary N. Channey Socials: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marynchaney/ Minorities in Cybersecurity (MiC): https://www.mincybsec.org/ Mary N. Chaney Cybersecurity Training Center: https://www.mnc-ctc.com/ MiC Talent Solutions: https://www.mictalent.solutions/ Buy the guide: https://www.theothersideofthefirewall.com/ Please LISTEN 🎧 LIKE 👍🏿 and SHARE ❤️ Thanks! The Other Side of the Firewall's Socials: Website - www.ramcyber.io Heroes Media Group: https://www.heroesmediagroup.com/shows/the-other-side-of-the-firewall/ Audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-other-side-of-the-firewall/id1542479181 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theothersideofthefirewall7511 ReppedFLIX - https://lnkd.in/eVis2CbS WDJY 99.1 FM: https://www.wdjyfm.com/ TuneIn: https://lnkd.in/e2crcZU8 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556539026086 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theothersideofthefw X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/Ask_a_CISSP TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanwilliams683 Medium - https://medium.com/@ryanwilliamssenior Subscribe to LinkedIn Newsletter - https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7172626552545865728 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-other-side-of-the-firewall/ Ryan on Twitter, LinkedIn, Clubhouse, and Threads - @ryrysecurityguy | www.ryanwilliamssenior.com Chris on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisabacon/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mary N. Chaney 02:01 Mary's Journey: From Law School to the FBI 06:24 Transitioning to Cybersecurity Consulting 10:28 The Importance of Business Fluency 14:42 Creating an Ecosystem for Minorities in Cybersecurity 19:24 Leadership Development and Mentorship Programs 25:43 Challenges in Corporate America vs. Entrepreneurship 32:46 Addressing the Broken Entry-Level Pipeline 39:32 Building a Global Community in Cybersecurity 46:50 Upcoming Initiatives and Conferences #cybersecurity #minoritiesincybersecurity #mic
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    53 mins
  • Veteran to Cybersecurity Leader: Ryan Williams Sr.’s Journey from Buffalo to Balad, Iraq

    Veteran to Cybersecurity Leader: Ryan Williams Sr.’s Journey from Buffalo to Balad, Iraq
    Jan 29 2026
    What does it look like to grow up in a snow-covered Buffalo neighborhood, raised by a single mother and grandmother, and go on to lead joint communications missions across the globe? In this Veteran Museum interview, Ryan Williams Sr. shares the story of my 20-year journey in the U.S. Air Force—from humble beginnings to building a career in cybersecurity. You'll hear how Ryan went from programming VCRs for his family to becoming the go-to tech guy in his military unit. Ryan talks candidly about early struggles with college, the financial pressures that led him to enlist, and how basic training at Lackland AFB taught him discipline Ryan didn’t know he had. We’ll go deep into Ryan's technical training at Keesler AFB, deployment to Iraq with a tactical air control squadron, and what it was like building networks in the middle of a warzone. Ryan reflects on family life while stationed in places like Idaho, Alaska, Virginia, and Florida—and how he and his wife navigated raising three kids while constantly relocating. One of the most pivotal chapters of Ryan's career came when he joined the Joint Communication Support Element (JCSE). As part of a highly elite, tech-forward joint unit, Ryan supported missions in Germany, Sicily, Morocco, and Israel. It was the global, hands-on experience Ryan had dreamed of when he first enlisted. Today, Ryan is a cybersecurity and resiliency risk leader, but his mission hasn’t stopped. Through podcasting and mentorship, Ryan is helping others break into cybersecurity and find their path—especially fellow veterans and career changers. Because Ryan truly believes cybersecurity is national security. If you're navigating a transition—into tech, out of uniform, or into leadership—this story is for you. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on military life, leadership, cybersecurity, and career growth: @VetsMuseum Buy Ryan's book: https://www.theothersideofthefirewall.com/ Please LISTEN 🎧 LIKE 👍🏿 and SHARE ❤️ Thanks! Socials: Website - www.ramcyber.io Heroes Media Group: https://www.heroesmediagroup.com/shows/the-other-side-of-the-firewall/ Audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-other-side-of-the-firewall/id1542479181 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theothersideofthefirewall7511 ReppedFLIX - https://lnkd.in/eVis2CbS WDJY 99.1 FM: https://www.wdjyfm.com/ TuneIn: https://lnkd.in/e2crcZU8 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556539026086 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theothersideofthefw X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/Ask_a_CISSP TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanwilliams683 Medium - https://medium.com/@ryanwilliamssenior Subscribe to LinkedIn Newsletter - https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7172626552545865728 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-other-side-of-the-firewall/ Ryan's Linktree: https://dot.cards/ryanwilliamssr Chris on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisabacon/ Daniel on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-acevedo-3a8b641b/ Chapters 00:00 Growing Up in Buffalo 02:54 Early Interests and Education 05:35 The Decision to Join the Military 08:58 Basic Training Experience 11:58 Technical Training at Keesler AFB 14:43 Deployment to Iraq 17:39 Life in Alaska and Family Growth 55:52 Family Reflections on Alaska 58:47 Career Progression and Re-enlistment 01:01:28 Life at Langley Air Force Base 01:04:24 Transition to Joint Communication Support Element 01:08:43 Inter-Service Dynamics and Teamwork 01:10:36 Settling in Tampa 01:13:28 Deployment Experiences and Challenges 01:16:27 Mentorship and Leadership in the Military 01:20:22 Retirement and Transitioning to Civilian Life 01:23:59 Starting a Podcast and Business Ventures 01:27:52 Navigating Life in Turkey 01:30:57 Final Thoughts on Military Service and Future Plans #Cybersecurity #VeteranStories #BlackInCyber
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    2 hrs and 1 min
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