Ever wondered what it takes to outsmart cyber threats and secure the virtual fortresses that safeguard our digital lives? Drew Kirkpatrick, a cybersecurity virtuoso with a rare mix of psychological acumen and coding prowess, offers a treasure trove of insights. Join us as he recounts his journey from conducting cutting-edge R&D for the Navy to becoming a penetration tester par excellence. Drew's tales are not just about the code and the thrill of the hack; they're peppered with the realities of balancing life with a researcher spouse, the significance of staying nimble in the ever-evolving tech landscape, and the criticality of tools like Burp Suite.

Diving headfirst into the emotionally charged world of cybersecurity, we uncover the less talked about aspects – the impact on mental health and why it's a conversation we need to have now more than ever. Drew gives us a backstage pass to the lighter side of pen testing with client CTF challenges, and balances it with a candid look at red and blue team dynamics. Aspiring hackers and guardians of the net alike, take note: Drew lays down the gauntlet on certifications, hands-on experience, and community involvement through CTFs and bug bounties as the non-negotiables for a thriving career in cybersecurity.

But it's not all serious business. Drew lets us in on his life beyond the binary world, from the serene shores of Ocracoke Island to his penchant for PlayStation 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2. His reflections on the cybersecurity community, the rigors and rewards of consulting, and the quirky anecdotes from his past, are an intimate exploration of the person behind the professional. For anyone looking to navigate the labyrinth of web app security or just eager to hear a good yarn from one of the best in the biz, this episode is a digital key to enlightenment.

Special Thank You to Drew Kirkpatrick (hoodoer)!! It was great having you on to kick off our interviews!
To all our listeners and watchers, you can find Drew, JS-Tap and his demo at the links below!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-kirkpatrick-1009a0/
JS-TAP: https://github.com/hoodoer/JS-Tap
JS-TAP Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c3b5debhME