Mike Miller

What mom thinks a Pentester is.

How do you explain it to your mom?

Want solid Cyber career tips? Join thousands of others that subscribe to my weekly email at ➡ www.breakincyber.com. ⬅

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🌟 I am Mike.
I will always push you a little harder
I will always be a positive voice for you

If you like my content:
🔔 Ring my Bell on my Profile so you are the first to see my posts
🤝 Checkout my Break in Cyber Playbook under my profile
🔴 @mikemillercyber on YT and Twitter
🏡 Need a vCISO, Security Assessment, or Penetration Test? I proudly work at Appalachia Technologies, an MSSP in the top 250!

#cybersecurity #informationsecurity #infosec #leadershipbyexample

A short but important message to a Cyber Security wannabe:


If you live in a small town where there aren't many jobs, it doesn't matter.

If you don't have much money to get your career started, it's ok.

If you are up against everyone who tells you that you can't, I'm here to tell you that you can.

What I have in my hands is the only physical thing you need to get into this field. It connects you to nearly any job in cyber security around the world. We work remote.

Googling and networking within LinkedIn doesn't cost anything. Learn from the resources around you.

The people that tell you that you can't do it, will come to you for advice in a few years ask you how you did it.

We need people.

Inbox me.

#cybersecurity #informationsecurity #infosec #leadershipbyexample

What if interviewing is just too hard?

→ You have been interviewing for weeks, months, or years with no luck
→ You are getting burnt out

It's time to take a step back and look at your process.

Here is how NOT to interview:
→ Be too serious
→ Don't crack a smile
→ Argue

Here is HOW to interview:
→ Be a human being
→ Be nice
→ Be likeable
→ Be prepared

If you learn one thing today, it should be this:

→ 70% of the reason you will be hired is because they like you.
→ 30% of the reason you will be hired is for your technical ability.

You can teach technical. You can't teach someone to be likable.

When you are interviewing, do you try to be serious or likable? I genuinely want to know. Tell me ⬇.

I'm Mike, a vCISO at Appalachia Technologies. I have loved working in this industry for over 25 years. If you are struggling to get in front of recruiters and hiring managers, my PMs are always open.

Want a Career in Cyber Security? Start by changing those passwords often.

Want to Work with Me? There are Three Ways I can Help:

1. Want a Career in Cyber? Let's talk at ➡www.breakincyber.com⬅.

2. If you are already in Cyber but feel stuck, let's talk. ⬆

3. If your organization needs a security provider that rates in the Top 250 in the United States (Pentesting, vCISO services, Security Assessments), let's talk. My PMs are always open. I'll hook you up.

#cybersecurity #infosec #informationsecurity #security

October is always an emotional month for me. It always consists of much reflection.

October four years ago I hit the post button on LinkedIn to start this journey. I never knew where it would take me.

October four years ago I got married and on the very same day my wife and I signed papers on our new house (still in her wedding dress).

October four years ago I started on a new journey.

Who knows where the next four years will take me, but I’m thankful for every moment.

I thank LinkedIn for giving me a voice.

I thank all of you for reading my content.

I thank my wife who has supported me all the way.

To all of you, here’s to the next four.

I just had my biggest professional victory. After a 1.5 years of planning and executing, we have become a PCI QSA company, 1 of only 207 in the US.

I have always loved the PCI framework. It's something I got involved in nearly 15 years ago. When I owned my own firm, it was on my radar, but just never happened. Then I was acquired.

About a year and a half ago I started pitching leadership at Appalachia Technologies, LLC about becoming a QSA firm. It seemed like a far reach, but I knew it was doable.

Here's what we had on our side:
1. In business for nearly 20 years (at the time)
2. As a SOC2 Type 2 audited company, we had the maturity
3. We had years of experience including PCI readiness assessments

After several slide decks and conversations, leadership bought into it. Two things had to happen.

1. We had to go through a rigorous process with the PCI Council
2. We had to get QSAs trained
3. We had to get approved

I'm happy to announce that Appalachia Technologies is now one of only 207 PCI QSA companies in the United States. Heck, we even made the first page on the council's company listings page. Even better, through the process my great teammate and friend, Yoel Alvarez has become a QSA for our firm.

For me, this is one of my biggest victories in my professional career. I'm excited to help lead this line of business for our organization.

When something seems too far out, keep pressing forward. You'll start each week just a little closer than you were before.

Huge thank you to Appalachia leadership and our team that made it happen.

If you are looking for PCI knowledge or help getting through your next PCI ROC (Report on Compliance), my DMs are wide open.

#cybersecurity #informationsecurity #pci