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Cyber Distortion Podcast Series

Cyber Distortion Podcast Series

By: Jason Popillion and Kevin Pentecost
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 Jason and Kevin, seasoned Cyber Security professionals, explain cyber security concepts that everyone needs to know in simple terms. They will leave you with practical takeaways you can use to keep yourself and your organizations safe. Jason Popillion is a CISSP and serves as a CIO/CTO of a SaaS company and Kevin Pentecost is a CISSP, CISM, CEH, CPT, MPCS, MCSE, CCA, ITIL-F and serves as a Information Security Manager for a Manufacturing company.Cyber Distortion Podcast, LLC. Politics & Government
Episodes
  • S5 - Episode 001 – The Day that Twitter Died

    S5 - Episode 001 – The Day that Twitter Died
    Feb 18 2026
    Cyber Distortion Podcast – Hosted by Kevin Pentecost & Jason Popillion On July 15, 2020, the unthinkable happened: dozens of the world's most powerful voices — Barack Obama, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Joe Biden, Apple, Uber, and more — suddenly blasted the same message out to millions of followers. A promise that sounded too good to be true… because it was. What looked like a generous giveaway turned into one of the most audacious social engineering hacks in tech history — all orchestrated not by a foreign syndicate, not by an elite hacker collective… but by a 17-year-old from Tampa, Florida. In this episode of The Cyber Distortion Podcast, we peel back the curtain on the incredible story of Graham Ivan Clark — the mastermind behind the 2020 Twitter bitcoin scam. How did a teenager with no access to Twitter's code base infiltrate its inner systems? What dark psychology powered the attack? And how did a stunt that netted six figures in Bitcoin come crashing down in just hours? Join Kevin Pentecost and Jason Popillion, together bringing over 50 years of cyber expertise, as we: - Break down the hacker's journey from online forums to global headlines - Decode the social engineering tricks that toppled corporate giant - Reveal the lessons the security world still hasn't fully learned - And explore how a single moment of human error unlocked the keys to a digital kingdom This isn't just a story about stolen Bitcoin — it's a chilling reminder that the weakest link in any system is the human one, and how one kid's curiosity turned into one of the most notorious cybersecurity breaches of our time. Are you ready to join us inside the breach? Other Helpful Links: Wikipedia – 2020 Twitter account hijacking — comprehensive overview of the incident, how it unfolded, and its impact. 2020 Twitter account hijacking (Wikipedia)Wikipedia – Graham Ivan Clark — detailed background on Clark's role in the hack and related charges. Graham Ivan Clark (Wikipedia)Ars Technica – "I was a teenage Twitter hacker…" — tech-focused reporting on how the social engineering worked and the aftermath. I was a teenage Twitter hacker (Ars Technica)The Hacker News – sentencing & case details — breakdown of charges, Bitcoin scam metrics, and how the hack was executed. 18‑Year‑Old Hacker Gets 3 Years for Massive Twitter Hack (The Hacker News)CoinDesk – coverage of sentencing and legal outcomes — crypto community perspective on the hack and legal resolution. Twitter Hacker Will Serve 3 Years for Crypto Phishing Scheme (CoinDesk)Tech Times – detailed narrative of the incident — narrative explanation of how the scam unfolded and Twitter's response. 'Bitcoin Scam': Teen Twitter Hacker Gets 3 Years (Tech Times)OPB – contemporary reporting from 2020 — quotes from prosecutors and early reporting on the arrest and scope of the hack. Florida Teen Charged as Mastermind (OPB)Wikipedia (alternate language overview) — another useful global perspective on the same incident. Détournement de comptes Twitter en juillet 2020 (Wikipedia French) Court Documents: Here are some relevant links to official or publicly shared court documents / legal filings related to the 2020 Twitter hack that you can include as sources for research. (Actual court dockets are often on PACER or state court sites and require login, so we've linked publicly accessible filings or charge PDFs where available): Charging document for Mason Sheppard (PlugWalkJoe) – PDF of federal charges in the Twitter hack case (linked from CBS News). (Note: these are federal indictments related to co-conspirators; Clark's state court documents aren't publicly indexed in one central PDF but this gives key legal filings tied to the case.) 📄 [Read the charging document for Mason Sheppard (.pdf)]Charging doc for federal co‑conspirator PlugWalkJoe (CBS News)Tampa teen pleads not guilty as court filings reveal charges – local news report referencing the court proceedings and charges in Clark's case. (Tampa Bay Times) 🔗 Tampa teen pleads not guilty as documents reveal how feds cracked Twitter hack case (Tampa Bay Times summary)Court hearing coverage – describes Clark's hearing and bail setting at the Hillsborough County Courthouse with reference to court filings. (Tampa Bay Times) 🔗 Bail and court hearing coverage for Twitter hack case (Tampa Bay Times)Sentencing summary – covers Clark's plea deal and sentence terms as reflected in official court action. (WUSF) 🔗 Tampa Twitter hacker sentenced to prison and probation (WUSF)Wikipedia – Case overview with court info – includes a summary of charges, indictment details, plea dates, and sentencing, citing court sources. (Wikipedia) 🔗 2020 Twitter account hijacking (case details)Nasdaq / CoinDesk coverage on legal proceedings – references court filings and proceedings around charges and bail. (Nasdaq...
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    29 mins
  • S4 - Episode 014 – CYBR.HAK.CON: The L33T DFW Hacker Conference (w/ Michael Farnum & Phillip Wylie)

    S4 - Episode 014 – CYBR.HAK.CON: The L33T DFW Hacker Conference (w/ Michael Farnum & Phillip Wylie)
    Dec 22 2025

    In this episode, we're diving deep into the evolution of one of the most respected cybersecurity community movements in the country. Michael Farnum, founder of CYBR.SEC.Community and the original force behind HOU.SEC.CON, joins us to talk about the transformation of a beloved Houston-based conference into a multi-city, multi-conference ecosystem designed to empower cybersecurity professionals, enthusiasts, and newcomers alike. With expansion plans already underway, the CYBR.SEC.Community is poised to redefine how regional infosec communities connect, learn, and grow.

    We're also joined by Phillip Wylie, a well-known ethical hacker, author, and educator, who will be leading CYBR.HAK.CON — the Dallas/Fort Worth chapter of this new initiative. Together, Michael and Phillip share their vision for what makes a truly impactful cybersecurity event, how they're building inclusive and technically rich experiences, and what attendees can expect from these revamped conferences. From speaker curation to community engagement, they're crafting something that's more than just a series of events — it's a movement.

    And of course, we'll have some fun along the way. Expect stories from past conferences, a few laughs about hacker culture, and maybe even a debate over which fictional hacker deserves a keynote slot. Whether you're a seasoned security pro or just curious about the people shaping the future of cyber communities, this episode will give you a front-row seat to the next chapter in grassroots cybersecurity.

    Helpful Links:

    Here are some helpful and relevant links for your listeners to explore CYBR.SEC.Community, its conferences, and your guests' work. These will give them direct access to events, media, and speaker profiles mentioned in your episode.
    ________________________________________
    🔗 CYBR.SEC.Community & Conferences
    • CYBR.SEC.Community Official Site
    https://www.cybrseccon.com
    Main hub for the community, including conference info, speaker lineup, merch, and tickets.
    • CYBR.SEC.Media
    https://www.cybrsecmedia.com
    Articles, podcasts, videos, and updates from across the CYBR.SEC ecosystem.
    • HOU.SEC.CON Legacy & Current Info
    https://www.houstonseccon.com
    Historical and current details about the Houston-based conference that started it all.
    ________________________________________
    🧠 Featured Guests
    • Michael Farnum (Founder, CYBR.SEC.Community)
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mfarnum
    • Phillip Wylie (Lead, CYBR.HAK.CON)
    Personal Site: https://thehackermaker.com
    Podcast: https://phillipwylieshow.transistor.fm
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipwylie
    • CYBR.HAK.CON Announcement Post by Phillip Wylie
    https://www.linkedin.com/posts/phillipwylie_im-excited-about-my-partnership-with-houseccon-activity-7379520683552321536-OV83
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • S4 - Episode 013 – The Cyber Crystal Ball: Predictions & Pitfalls (w/ Paul Furtado from Gartner)

    S4 - Episode 013 – The Cyber Crystal Ball: Predictions & Pitfalls (w/ Paul Furtado from Gartner)
    Nov 14 2025
    In this episode of the Cyber Distortion Podcast, hosts Jason Popillion and Kevin Pentecost sit down with Paul Furtado, Vice President and Analyst at Gartner, for a deep, insightful conversation that cuts through industry noise and gets to the heart of what's shaping cybersecurity and enterprise technology today. Paul brings a dynamic blend of executive leadership and real-world operational expertise, with a career marked by driving bottom-line impact, navigating mergers and acquisitions, optimizing performance, and reshaping strategic technology programs. Known for his visionary leadership, negotiation acumen, and ability to connect strategy with execution, Paul shares the kind of clarity and perspective that only comes from decades on the front lines of IT, security, and business transformation. Whether you're a cybersecurity leader, a tech strategist, or simply someone looking to understand the forces driving today's enterprise landscape, this episode delivers actionable takeaways, thoughtful commentary, and a rare behind-the-scenes look at how one of Gartner's top voices views the future. Tune in and get ready for a strategic, sharp, and forward-thinking discussion only Cyber Distortion can deliver. Helpful Links: Here are some very good accompanying resources you can include in your episode show notes, to give listeners more context and the ability to dig deeper. Helpful Resources: About Paul Furtado Paul Furtado's profile on Gartner, Inc.: Paul Furtado – Gartner Expert — details his role, background, areas of coverage (security operations, infrastructure security, cyber risk) and previous experience. (Gartner)(If available) His LinkedIn profile — you may search LinkedIn for "Paul Furtado Gartner" or similar to locate his public profile, so listeners can connect or follow his posts and insights. About Gartner & the "Magic Quadrant" Gartner's official definition of the Magic Quadrant: What is the Magic Quadrant? — explains the concept of mapping vendors by "Ability to Execute" and "Completeness of Vision". (Gartner)Gartner's research methodology page: Magic Quadrant, Critical Capabilities and Market Coverage — covers how vendors are evaluated and what the four quadrants (Leaders, Challengers, Visionaries, Niche Players) mean. (Gartner)Additional explanatory article: "What is Gartner's Magic Quadrant and why does it matter?" — by AmericanEagle.com Insights: Link (Americaneagle.com) Recommended Further Listening / Reading Webinar: "The Gartner Cybersecurity Outlook for Midsize Enterprises" hosted by Paul Furtado. A helpful session for listeners who want leadership-level views on cyber risk in mid-sized enterprises. (Gartner)Research note: "How markets and vendors are evaluated in Gartner Magic Quadrants" (March 2024) — useful for understanding the behind-the-scenes of how Gartner constructs these analyses. (Gartner) Suggested "Next Steps" for Listeners Visit Paul Furtado's Gartner Expert profile and follow his commentary on cybersecurity trends.Explore Gartner's Magic Quadrant methodology so you understand how vendor evaluations work (especially useful in your job, budget planning, vendor selection).Reflect on your organization: Where would you place your internal tech or security vendors? Are you focusing just on "Leaders", or considering "Challengers", "Visionaries", or "Niche Players" based on your specific needs? (This aligns with what we discussed in the episode.)
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    1 hr and 12 mins
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