Cyber Coffee Hour

In this episode, Dr. Joseph has a coffee chat with Jason Dion, the Chief Product Officer at AKYLADE and lead instructor at Dion Training Solutions, where he taught over 2 million students globally. With extensive experience in networking and multiple IT certifications, including CISSP and CEH, Jason is on a mission to revolutionize cybersecurity certifications. He discusses AKYLADE's innovative approach to creating practical, hands-on certifications that help hiring managers identify real talent while eliminating "paper tigers" from the industry. Tune in for this insightful conversation about the future of cybersecurity education and the importance of actionable skills in today’s job market. ☕

Connect with our guest!

➡️Jason Dion

https://www.akylade.com

https://www.diontraining.com

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HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE WITH US AND SUBSCRIBE! ☕  

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Find the Cyber Coffee Hour on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you consume your podcasts! 🎧

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SUPPORT THE SHOW AND BUY US A COFFEE! ☕

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https://buymeacoffee.com/cybercoffeehour

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CONNECT WITH THE US! 🔗

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➡️Dr. Joseph J. Burt-Miller Jr. 

➡️Alfredzo B. Nash Jr.

➡️Cyber Coffee Hour Podcast 

➡️Alive Podcast Network

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❓Question: What is the most essential skill for aspiring cybersecurity professionals to develop, and how do you believe hands-on certifications can help bridge the gap between education and real-world application?

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⚖️Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and thoughts expressed herein are those of the Cyber Coffee Hour and not those of our employers or personal or professional relationships.

⏰ Timecodes ⏰

00:00 - Introduction to Cyber Coffee Hour

01:57 - Jason Dion’s Journey in Cybersecurity Education

07:11 - Transitioning to Akylade: A New Approach to Certification 

14:43 - The Skills Gap in Cybersecurity 

22:55 - Evolving Certification Landscape and Akylade’s Vision

36:35 - Eliminating Paper Tigers in Cybersecurity

42:10 - The Importance of Practical Training in Cybersecurity 

43:38 - Creating Relevant Certifications Through Job Task Analysis 

50:00 - Balancing Theory and Hands-On Experience

56:21 - Networking and Gaining Experience in Cybersecurity

01:01:53 - Overcoming Challenges in Cybersecurity

01:12:34 - Personal Insights and Hobbies of a Cybersecurity Expert

01:21:11 - Outro

📖 The Cyber Coffee Hour comprises Dr. Joseph J. Burt-Miller Jr. and Alfredzo B. Nash Jr., two cyber experts from Mount Vernon, NY, who love a good cup of coffee and conversation. They have surveyed the cyber podcast landscape and want to see a change. For shows featuring the world's CIOs, CISOs, and CTOs, the perspective of those getting started in their journey must be emphasized. 

The mission of the Cyber Coffee Hour intentionally features guests of all stages of the cyber journey. Still, it prioritizes the voices undergoing gatekeeping, racism, and other biases while trying to make their way into the cybersecurity practicum. The Cyber Coffee Hour uniquely spreads the cybersecurity gospel by featuring guests with and without a cybersecurity background, with cybersecurity as the common denominator.