Blueprint: Build the Best in Cyber Defense
Blueprint: Build the Best in Cyber Defense
SANS Institute
Are you a cyber defender looking to keep up on the newest tools, technology, and security concepts? Then BLUEPRINT is the podcast for you! Tune in to hear the latest in cyber defense and security operations from blue team leaders and experts. With a focus on learning, BLUEPRINT includes interviews with today’s top security practitioners defending the world’s most respected brands, and in-depth explanations on the newest technologies, protocols, and defensive tools. BLUEPRINT, is a podcast hosted by John Hubbard and brought to you by the SANS Institute. BLUEPRINT - your one-stop shop for taking your defense skills to the next level!
Building Trust Into Agentic SOC Tools with Oren Saban
SANS Cloud Security Exchange Summit 2026 - Aug. 17-18, San Francisco: https://www.sans.org/mlp/cloud-security-exchange-2026 Save $50 off registration with special promo code "Cloud_Promo50"! Agentic SOC platforms are no longer a future pitch — they're shipping, and teams are using them to triage and investigate cases end to end. But speed and automation only matter if you can trust the output. John sits down with Oren Saban to unpack what it actually takes to build a trustworthy agentic SOC ...
Jul 2
44 min
Preventing Silent Failures with Nir Loya Dahan
This episode is sponsored by Fig. This episode features a conversation with Nir Loya Dahan, Co-Founder and CPO at Fig, recorded at RSAC 2026. Our discussion covers telemetry health and SOC infrastructure resilience: what breaks in a log pipeline, why silent failures are so hard to catch, and how detection teams can build more confidence in their data foundation. Resources: Nir's Email: [email protected] Fig Website: https://www.fig.security Contact, Courses, and More: For feedback, reviews, gu...
Jun 18
55 min
The 2 AM Call: A Ransomware Negotiator's Playbook with Wade Gettle
What happens after you discover ransomware? You have to talk to the attackers. And that conversation can make or break your entire response. In this episode, Wade Gettle, a professional ransomware negotiator, pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes world of threat actor negotiations. Wade is the person who gets the call at 2 AM when organizations are facing their worst moment, and he's handled negotiations across every scenario imaginable. You'll learn: What actually happens in the first 72...
Feb 9
48 min
Infiltration Alert! How to Catch Fake IT Employees in Your Network with Zak Stufflebeam
This episode is a big one! We kick off 2026 with a critical lessons learned on how to detect and prevent the threat of fake IT workers infiltrating your organization through the story of a REAL compromise. In this episode, repeat guest Zak Stufflebeam shares a detailed case study involving a major investigation of multiple counterfeit IT employees within a company. The episode provides valuable insights and actionable detection tactics, covering everything from unusual VPN activity and AI-gen...
Jan 5
1 hr 36 min
Leading by Example: Confidence and Responsibility in Cybersecurity with Zak Stufflebeam
In this episode, we sit down with Zak Stufflebeam, Director of Cybersecurity at a publicly traded insurance company. Zak shares his unique journey from the military to leading security operations, emphasizing essential leadership principles learned along the way. From his early days in basic training to leading complex cybersecurity teams, Zak’s story is one of perseverance, adaptability, and unwavering commitment. He delves into vital leadership lessons, the importance of confidence, and str...
Aug 19, 2025
1 hr 6 min
From the SANS Cyber Leaders Podcast: Fighting Back with John Hubbard
This podcast episode is from the SANS Cyber Leaders Podcast. The episode features Blueprint host John Hubbard, where he talks with hosts James Lyne and Ciaran Martin on the ever-changing threat landscape and how SOC teams can stay ahead. John shares his expertise on spotting threats early, how to test your defences before the real attackers show up, and why he’s on a mission to simplify cybersecurity operations for the next generation of defenders. Contact, Courses, and More: For feedback, re...
Jun 27, 2025
52 min
Redefining Security Operations: Lessons in AI Integration with James Spiteri
In this episode of Blueprint, host John Hubbard sits down with James Spiteri from Elastic to explore the transformative power of AI on the SOC. They delve into how advanced AI technologies, such as agentic AI models, MCP protocol, and automation, are reshaping the SOC landscape. Discover how AI enhances SOC efficiency, reduces mundane tasks, and integrates context-aware capabilities. Learn about the real-world applications, from automation in cybersecurity operations to the challenges and pro...
Jun 12, 2025
1 hr 6 min
From Special Forces to Cybersecurity: Rich Greene on Communication and Persuasion in Infosec
In this episode, we sit down with Rich Greene, a former United States Army Special Forces Green Beret and current SANS instructor for SEC275 and SEC301. Rich shares his incredible journey spanning 20 years in the Army, including his transition from military communication roles into the realm of cybersecurity. He talks about the importance of fundamentals in cybersecurity, the power of effective communication and persuasion, and dispels common misconceptions about entering the cyber field. Ric...
Apr 9, 2025
47 min
SOC Dashboards Done Right with Ryan Thompson
In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Thompson, a seasoned expert in building dashboards that actually detect real threats—not just look pretty. With experience at Elastic, Alert Logic, and top EDR vendors, Ryan shares deep insights into the science behind effective dashboards and how security teams can cut through the noise to find the threats on your network. We cover: Why most SOC dashboards fail to deliver real insights—and how to fix them.The right way to structure dashboards for SIEM, ...
Feb 18, 2025
1 hr 3 min
Success Simplified - The 3 Step Process for Hitting Your Career Goals in 2025 with John Hubbard
Surprise!! It's a mini solo episode to kick off the new year and it's on one of the most important topics there is - how to achieve your goals in 2025 and beyond! In this episode I talk about a topic I've never covered anywhere before - my personal system for productivity and how it helps me, and can likely you help you stay on track for those 2025 goals and stay aligned with what is most important in your life. Check this episode out for some useful productivity tips, inspiration, re...
Jan 1, 2025
29 min
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