Cybersecurity Training: A 101st Airborne Veteran's Journey

In episode 29, host Joshua Nicholson welcomes Dennis Kraft, a Penn State graduate and former United States Army Captain who served with the 101st Airborne Division Air Assault in Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011. After his military service, Dennis transitioned to a career in cybersecurity, working for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Homeland Security, and private companies. He later founded Cyberkraft in 2019 with the mission of bridging the cybersecurity skills gap through elite training courses. Dennis discusses his mission at Cyberkraft, which is to help individuals obtain cybersecurity certifications to advance their careers and fill the growing cyber skills gap. He emphasizes the importance of hands-on training and mentorship, drawing parallels between military training and cybersecurity education. The conversation touches on open source tools versus commercial products, the need for foundational networking knowledge, and the challenges faced by those entering the cybersecurity field. The episode highlights the importance of investing in cybersecurity training and mentorship to prepare professionals for the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity. Dennis also mentions Cyberkraft's competitive pricing, financing options, and veteran discounts for their training programs, emphasizing their commitment to making quality training accessible. The podcast offers insights into the challenges and opportunities in the cybersecurity industry and the value of continuous learning and mentorship. The text discusses the challenges faced by a student in a self-paced entry-level course and suggests that instructor-led training might have been more suitable. The conversation highlights the importance of tailoring teaching methods to individual learning styles and mentions the incorporation of the VARC model (Visual, Audio, Reading, Writing, Kinesthetic) into courses to accommodate different learning preferences. The company, founded in 2019, specializes in cybersecurity training and emphasizes both passing certifications and gaining practical, real-world skills. The text also touches on the use of live labs and hands-on exercises, as well as the importance of understanding the thinking behind complex exam questions. Finally, it briefly discusses cloud certifications like CompTIA Cloud+ and CASP+ as well as the potential alignment of certifications with specific job roles