Show Summary:

Mudita Khurana — Tech Lead at Airbnb and the person who always says, “I got this”

No Password Required Season 7: Episode 6 - Mudita Khurana

Mudita Khurana is a Tech Lead for Automated Tooling and Vulnerability Management at Airbnb, where she focuses on building modular, scalable security systems in an era of rapidly evolving AI threats. Before Airbnb, she spent nearly a decade in security roles across Accenture, Meta, and PwC, making bold career pivots along the way, including turning down a PwC return offer to join Facebook's product security team.

In this episode, Mudita shares her journey from a family of doctors in India to Carnegie Mellon and into the heart of Big Tech security. She discusses what it means to thrive as a non-traditional engineer in a deeply technical field, why she stepped back from management to get closer to the work, and how she thinks about building security tooling that won't be obsolete in three months.

Jack Clabby and co-host Kayley Melton, recording live from Tampa B-Sides at the University of South Florida, talk with Mudita about imposter syndrome, AI's curveballs for security teams, leadership without a leadership title, and the importance of community in staying on top of a field that never stops moving. She also reflects on what great mentorship looks like early in a career and why clarity, ownership, and consistency are the leadership qualities she keeps coming back to.

In the Lifestyle Polygraph, Mudita firmly plants her flag in the Harry Potter universe as Hermione, explains why Deadpool doesn't qualify as a superhero, debates gym vs. nature as a reset strategy, and reveals her dream remote work base: a high-altitude Buddhist mountain town in the Himalayas.

Follow Mudita on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muditakhurana/

In this episode:

• Mudita shares her unconventional path into cybersecurity, highlighting the importance of mentorship and curiosity (0:25 - 1:37)
• The significance of mentorship, especially Vandana Verma, in her career development (2:26 - 4:00)
• Transition from management to technical IC roles and why staying close to technical work matters (9:29 - 10:23)
• The influence of her education at Carnegie Mellon and how it broadened her problem-solving skills (6:23 - 7:41)
• Navigating imposter syndrome and embracing challenges as growth opportunities (3:26 - 5:29)
• How AI is changing cybersecurity strategies—building modular, layered systems for agility (15:31 - 16:26)
• The importance of community, trust, and consensus in cybersecurity decision-making (17:06 - 17:47)
• Mudita’s favorite places for remote work and balancing planning with spontaneity in travel (23:01 - 24:13)
• Her personal approach to wellness, exercise, and resets during busy days (21:32 - 22:36)
• Her unique perspective on superhero characters, favorite places, and cultural roots (18:54 - 19:36, 25:19 - 26:21)

Timestamp Highlights:

• (00:25) Mudita's 10-year journey into cybersecurity starting from India
• (02:26) Mentorship’s critical role in her growth and her admiration for Vandana Verma
• (09:29) Transition from management back to technical roles and why staying close to the work matters
• (15:31) How AI fosters layered, modular security systems for faster adaptation
• (17:06) The importance of community and trusted information sources in security
• (21:32) Reset routines—gym versus nature hikes—and staying grounded during busy days
• (25:19) Leh, Ladakh: Mudita’s ideal remote work location nestled in Himalayan beauty

Resources & Links:

• Vandana Verma - Influential mentor in cybersecurity
• ThreatLocker - Supporter of this podcast
• Cyber Florida – The Mother Ship

Madeline Sedgwick — Cyber Threat Analyst at Palo Alto Networks and a DUUUUVALLL lifer

No Password Required Season 7: Episode 5 – Madeline Sedgwick

Madeline Sedgwick is a Cyber threat Researcher and Threat Analyst at Palo Alto Networks Unit 42, specializing in nation-state cyber activity, covert infrastructure, and cyber intelligence analysis. Before entering the private sector, she spent six years in the U.S. Navy as an intelligence specialist, helping support some of the earliest cyber operations under United States Cyber Command.

In this episode, Madeline shares her journey from joining the Navy to becoming one of the first certified cyber targeteers supporting offensive cyber operations. She discusses the realities of tracking covert threat actor infrastructure, why defenders must understand adversary behavior beyond alerts and signatures, and how intelligence analysis helps uncover the bigger picture behind cyber campaigns.


Jack Clabby and co-host Sarina Gandy talk with Madeline about fusion analysis, cyber warfare, leadership, and the challenges of translating highly technical investigations into actionable insights for government and industry leaders. She also reflects on the importance of humility in leadership, mentoring, and learning to navigate high-pressure situations with confidence and curiosity.


In the Lifestyle Polygraph, Madeline debates cybersecurity in the Star Wars universe, explains her Weird Al Yankovic Dragon Con costume, reflects on her time playing bass in a metal band, and proudly shares why Jacksonville, Florida, will always be home.

Follow Madeline on Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mesedgwick/

Chapters:

02:10 Intro-Madeline Sedgwick

09:00 The Role of Cybersecurity in National Security

12:08 Understanding Covert Networks and Threat Intelligence

14:52 Fusion Analysis in Cybersecurity

18:04 The Importance of Distinguishing Threats

20:52 Challenges in Cybersecurity Response

23:58 Briefing Decision Makers on Cyber Threats

27:52 Understanding Adversary Intent and Risk Communication

30:12 Leadership Lessons from the Navy

34:33 The Importance of Mentorship in Career Development

37:30 The Lifestyle Polygraph: A Fun Twist on Cybersecurity

41:04 Embracing Creativity and Personal Expression

45:50 Pride in Roots: The Jacksonville Connection

No Password Required: No Password Required: Next Gen - Ep. 2 - Tim Kircher

From Freshman Stress to Cyber Success: Formula 1, Pickleball, and hacking in Real life

In this episode of No Password Required: Next Gen, Yazzel Corona interviews Tim Kircher, a cybersecurity student at USF and member of the Security Operations Center Apprenticeship Program at Cyber Florida. Tim shares how his fascination with technology first sparked his interest in cybersecurity.

From networking advice and navigating the chaos of a cybersecurity education, Tim keeps it real, giving us all the tips about what it takes to get started successfully in the field. He talks about why communication skills matter just as much as technical ability in the age of AI and automation, and how taking things “one day at a time” helped shape his journey.

Outside of cyber mode, Tim is a huge pickleball and Formula 1 fan, leading to fun conversations about cyber pit crews, movie hacking scenes, and why Mercedes would absolutely be his dream team.

From defensive cyber operations to teamwork and leadership, Tim’s story is all about staying curious, building connections, and finding your path in cybersecurity.

Follow Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-kircher/

Chapters:

00:00 — Introduction

00:30 — Discovering Cybersecurity

00:54 — Advice for Freshman Cybersecurity Students

01:47 — Formula 1 & Cybersecurity

02:10 — Which F1 Team Would Be Vulnerable?

02:28 — Building the Ultimate Cybersecurity Pit Crew

03:01 — Hollywood Hacking vs. Real-Life Hacking

03:22 — Final Advice for Future Cybersecurity Professionals

04:01 — Toasting to the Future

Follow Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-kircher/

Presented by ThreatLocker