Breaking Through in Cybersecurity Marketing 7.30.24
Ep 128 | 7.30.24

From Intelligence Operative to Cybersecurity Evangelist with AJ Nash

Show Notes

AJ Nash has 19 years of experience in the intelligence community and 8 years in the private sector. He has successfully transitioned into a thought leader and evangelist in intelligence-driven security, making waves at several top-tier companies. AJ has a knack for turning complex intelligence topics into engaging and accessible content, and he’s also the charismatic host of the “Unspoken Security” podcast, which recently won the Cybersecurity Excellence award for Best Podcast. Beyond the mic, he is known for his candid takes on industry practices, his humorous approach to serious topics, and his dedication to authentic, no-nonsense communication. His journey is packed with intriguing stories—from unsanctioned magazine articles that catapulted his career to his bold stance on the misuse of AI in cybersecurity. Tune into this week’s episode to laugh, gain some knowledge on intelligence, and hear some hot takes!

Content Creation and Marketing: [07:46 - 14:20]

  • AJ talks about his love for creating content and how he went from intelligence briefings to public speaking and writing. 

AJ’s Hot Takes on the Industry: [14:21 - 23:50]

  • Prioritizing the bottom line over security.
  • The misuse of AI in replacing human intelligence analysts and the potential dangers of misinformation and deepfakes.
  • AJ calls for better accountability and consequences for security breaches.

Government vs. Private Sector: [23:51 - 30:00]

  • AJ talks about the strengths and weaknesses of both the government and private sector in cybersecurity. Noting that the government excels in structured intelligence and long-term strategies, but sometimes lacks the agility and creativity found in the private sector. 

Career Path and Personal Brand: [30:01 - 37:40]

  • AJ talks about his journey from aspiring lawyer to intelligence professional and public speaker making sure that he was being authentic and that his work reflects his values.

Meet us at CyberMaketingCon: [37:41 - 40:00]

  • Save the Date for CyberMarketingCon2024
  • In Person & Virtual
  • December 8-11, 2024
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Get your ticket and meet us in Philadelphia from December 8-11.

About our guests:

👉Follow AJ on LinkedIn

👉More on the Unspoken Security podcast. 

Be sure to also follow our hosts on LinkedIn:

👉Gianna Whitver

👉Maria Velasquez 

Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Breaking Through in Cybersecurity Marketing. Join the Cybersecurity Marketing Society on our website, on our main LinkedIn page, or our podcast LinkedIn page, and keep up with us on Twitter.

See you in the next episode!