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    <title>Certified: The Cybersecurity Credential Podcast</title>
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    <description>Certified: The Cybersecurity Credential Podcast is the show for cybersecurity professionals, students, career changers, and hiring leaders who want clear, practical guidance on certifications and professional development.

Each episode examines the credentials shaping today’s cybersecurity workforce—from entry-level certifications to advanced technical, management, audit, risk, cloud, and governance credentials. The podcast covers exam updates, certification roadmaps, study strategies, renewal requirements, industry trends, and the real-world value of earning and maintaining professional credentials.

Hosted by cybersecurity educator, author, and retired U.S. Army cyber officer Dr. Jason Edwards, Certified goes beyond exam preparation to explain how credentials fit into broader career goals. Listeners will learn how to choose the right certification, avoid unnecessary expenses, build a realistic study plan, and understand what employers are actually looking for.

Whether you are preparing for your first exam, planning your next career move, or evaluating certifications for your team, Certified helps you make informed decisions about the credentials that matter.</description>
    <copyright>© 2026 Dr Jason Edwards</copyright>
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    <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 11:20:11 -0500</pubDate>
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      <title>Certified: The Cybersecurity Credential Podcast</title>
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    <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
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    <itunes:summary>Certified: The Cybersecurity Credential Podcast is the show for cybersecurity professionals, students, career changers, and hiring leaders who want clear, practical guidance on certifications and professional development.

Each episode examines the credentials shaping today’s cybersecurity workforce—from entry-level certifications to advanced technical, management, audit, risk, cloud, and governance credentials. The podcast covers exam updates, certification roadmaps, study strategies, renewal requirements, industry trends, and the real-world value of earning and maintaining professional credentials.

Hosted by cybersecurity educator, author, and retired U.S. Army cyber officer Dr. Jason Edwards, Certified goes beyond exam preparation to explain how credentials fit into broader career goals. Listeners will learn how to choose the right certification, avoid unnecessary expenses, build a realistic study plan, and understand what employers are actually looking for.

Whether you are preparing for your first exam, planning your next career move, or evaluating certifications for your team, Certified helps you make informed decisions about the credentials that matter.</itunes:summary>
    <itunes:subtitle>Certified: The Cybersecurity Credential Podcast is the show for cybersecurity professionals, students, career changers, and hiring leaders who want clear, practical guidance on certifications and professional development.</itunes:subtitle>
    <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
    <itunes:owner>
      <itunes:name>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:name>
      <itunes:email>baremetalcyber@outlook.com</itunes:email>
    </itunes:owner>
    <itunes:complete>No</itunes:complete>
    <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: GPCS and the Practical Work of Public Cloud Security</title>
      <itunes:episode>52</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>52</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: GPCS and the Practical Work of Public Cloud Security</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
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      <description>
        <![CDATA[GIAC Public Cloud Security (GPCS) is for professionals who want to understand how cloud security works across real public cloud environments, not just in theory. This episode walks through what the certification is, who it is for, what the exam really tests, and why its multicloud focus matters for security analysts, cloud engineers, DevOps teams, auditors, and IT professionals moving into cloud-focused roles. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for listeners who want a clear, practical explanation before deciding where GPCS fits in their career path. We also look at how to prepare for the exam in a realistic way, including how to think about identity, storage, encryption, logging, administrative access, serverless services, and cloud risk. GPCS rewards applied understanding, so the episode focuses on how the credential fits into hands-on security work rather than treating it like a memorization exercise. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is the broader home for the connected certification resources, including the free audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards ebook designed to support flexible preparation.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[GIAC Public Cloud Security (GPCS) is for professionals who want to understand how cloud security works across real public cloud environments, not just in theory. This episode walks through what the certification is, who it is for, what the exam really tests, and why its multicloud focus matters for security analysts, cloud engineers, DevOps teams, auditors, and IT professionals moving into cloud-focused roles. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for listeners who want a clear, practical explanation before deciding where GPCS fits in their career path. We also look at how to prepare for the exam in a realistic way, including how to think about identity, storage, encryption, logging, administrative access, serverless services, and cloud risk. GPCS rewards applied understanding, so the episode focuses on how the credential fits into hands-on security work rather than treating it like a memorization exercise. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is the broader home for the connected certification resources, including the free audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards ebook designed to support flexible preparation.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:51:14 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/2a165424/c8b6f2d7.mp3" length="36934620" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>922</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[GIAC Public Cloud Security (GPCS) is for professionals who want to understand how cloud security works across real public cloud environments, not just in theory. This episode walks through what the certification is, who it is for, what the exam really tests, and why its multicloud focus matters for security analysts, cloud engineers, DevOps teams, auditors, and IT professionals moving into cloud-focused roles. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for listeners who want a clear, practical explanation before deciding where GPCS fits in their career path. We also look at how to prepare for the exam in a realistic way, including how to think about identity, storage, encryption, logging, administrative access, serverless services, and cloud risk. GPCS rewards applied understanding, so the episode focuses on how the credential fits into hands-on security work rather than treating it like a memorization exercise. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is the broader home for the connected certification resources, including the free audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards ebook designed to support flexible preparation.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/2a165424/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Is CCOA the Right Cyber Operations Credential for Your Next Step?</title>
      <itunes:episode>51</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>51</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Is CCOA the Right Cyber Operations Credential for Your Next Step?</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
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      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/27a288d5</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[Certified Cybersecurity Operations Analyst (CCOA) is for people who want to understand what cybersecurity operations looks like beyond basic definitions. In this narrated episode, we walk through what the credential is, who it is designed for, and why it can matter for early-career professionals moving toward SOC analyst, incident response support, vulnerability management, or threat monitoring work. The episode is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and keeps the focus on plain-English career guidance. You’ll also hear how CCOA fits into a larger certification path, what the exam really tests, and why analyst judgment matters as much as memorized terminology. The episode explains the role of technology essentials, adversary behavior, detection, response, asset protection, and business risk in the exam’s overall shape. It also connects the discussion naturally to the Bare Metal Cyber Academy as the broader home for flexible certification resources, including audio, study, and review support.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[Certified Cybersecurity Operations Analyst (CCOA) is for people who want to understand what cybersecurity operations looks like beyond basic definitions. In this narrated episode, we walk through what the credential is, who it is designed for, and why it can matter for early-career professionals moving toward SOC analyst, incident response support, vulnerability management, or threat monitoring work. The episode is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and keeps the focus on plain-English career guidance. You’ll also hear how CCOA fits into a larger certification path, what the exam really tests, and why analyst judgment matters as much as memorized terminology. The episode explains the role of technology essentials, adversary behavior, detection, response, asset protection, and business risk in the exam’s overall shape. It also connects the discussion naturally to the Bare Metal Cyber Academy as the broader home for flexible certification resources, including audio, study, and review support.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:51:09 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/27a288d5/23d61376.mp3" length="33808299" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>844</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[Certified Cybersecurity Operations Analyst (CCOA) is for people who want to understand what cybersecurity operations looks like beyond basic definitions. In this narrated episode, we walk through what the credential is, who it is designed for, and why it can matter for early-career professionals moving toward SOC analyst, incident response support, vulnerability management, or threat monitoring work. The episode is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and keeps the focus on plain-English career guidance. You’ll also hear how CCOA fits into a larger certification path, what the exam really tests, and why analyst judgment matters as much as memorized terminology. The episode explains the role of technology essentials, adversary behavior, detection, response, asset protection, and business risk in the exam’s overall shape. It also connects the discussion naturally to the Bare Metal Cyber Academy as the broader home for flexible certification resources, including audio, study, and review support.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/27a288d5/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: GSOM and the Path to Security Operations Leadership</title>
      <itunes:episode>50</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>50</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: GSOM and the Path to Security Operations Leadership</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
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      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/f4da70dc</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through the GIAC Security Operations Manager (GSOM) certification and explain why it matters for cyber professionals who want to understand the security operations center as more than an alert queue. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion covers who GSOM is for, how it fits into SOC leadership, and why it is especially relevant for analysts, leads, and managers who want to connect daily defensive work to business risk, incident response, metrics, and continuous improvement. We also break down what the exam really tests, including SOC design, alert handling, incident response preparation, data source planning, proactive detection, and operational maturity. The episode keeps the focus practical and beginner-friendly, while also showing where GSOM fits in a larger cyber career path. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including structured study support for listeners who want a more organized way to prepare.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through the GIAC Security Operations Manager (GSOM) certification and explain why it matters for cyber professionals who want to understand the security operations center as more than an alert queue. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion covers who GSOM is for, how it fits into SOC leadership, and why it is especially relevant for analysts, leads, and managers who want to connect daily defensive work to business risk, incident response, metrics, and continuous improvement. We also break down what the exam really tests, including SOC design, alert handling, incident response preparation, data source planning, proactive detection, and operational maturity. The episode keeps the focus practical and beginner-friendly, while also showing where GSOM fits in a larger cyber career path. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including structured study support for listeners who want a more organized way to prepare.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:51:04 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/f4da70dc/abf4b2a0.mp3" length="33301509" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>831</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through the GIAC Security Operations Manager (GSOM) certification and explain why it matters for cyber professionals who want to understand the security operations center as more than an alert queue. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion covers who GSOM is for, how it fits into SOC leadership, and why it is especially relevant for analysts, leads, and managers who want to connect daily defensive work to business risk, incident response, metrics, and continuous improvement. We also break down what the exam really tests, including SOC design, alert handling, incident response preparation, data source planning, proactive detection, and operational maturity. The episode keeps the focus practical and beginner-friendly, while also showing where GSOM fits in a larger cyber career path. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including structured study support for listeners who want a more organized way to prepare.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/f4da70dc/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Is GCIL the Right Move for Future Incident Leaders?</title>
      <itunes:episode>49</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>49</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Is GCIL the Right Move for Future Incident Leaders?</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
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      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/926e5de6</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[The GIAC Cyber Incident Leader (GCIL) certification is built for professionals who want to understand how cyber incidents are coordinated when the pressure is high and the facts are still changing. This episode walks through what GCIL is, who it is really for, what the exam emphasizes, and why incident leadership is different from simply knowing security tools or technical response steps. The discussion is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for listeners who want a clear, practical explanation before deciding whether this credential fits their career path. GCIL is especially useful for analysts, team leads, managers, privacy partners, compliance professionals, and incident response coordinators who need to help organize people, decisions, communications, documentation, recovery, and lessons learned. In this episode, we look at the exam’s focus on preparation, classification, tracking, reporting, remediation, and improvement, while also placing the credential into a broader cybersecurity career path. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including structured options for learners who need flexible preparation.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[The GIAC Cyber Incident Leader (GCIL) certification is built for professionals who want to understand how cyber incidents are coordinated when the pressure is high and the facts are still changing. This episode walks through what GCIL is, who it is really for, what the exam emphasizes, and why incident leadership is different from simply knowing security tools or technical response steps. The discussion is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for listeners who want a clear, practical explanation before deciding whether this credential fits their career path. GCIL is especially useful for analysts, team leads, managers, privacy partners, compliance professionals, and incident response coordinators who need to help organize people, decisions, communications, documentation, recovery, and lessons learned. In this episode, we look at the exam’s focus on preparation, classification, tracking, reporting, remediation, and improvement, while also placing the credential into a broader cybersecurity career path. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including structured options for learners who need flexible preparation.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:50:59 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/926e5de6/37328876.mp3" length="30711207" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>766</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[The GIAC Cyber Incident Leader (GCIL) certification is built for professionals who want to understand how cyber incidents are coordinated when the pressure is high and the facts are still changing. This episode walks through what GCIL is, who it is really for, what the exam emphasizes, and why incident leadership is different from simply knowing security tools or technical response steps. The discussion is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for listeners who want a clear, practical explanation before deciding whether this credential fits their career path. GCIL is especially useful for analysts, team leads, managers, privacy partners, compliance professionals, and incident response coordinators who need to help organize people, decisions, communications, documentation, recovery, and lessons learned. In this episode, we look at the exam’s focus on preparation, classification, tracking, reporting, remediation, and improvement, while also placing the credential into a broader cybersecurity career path. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including structured options for learners who need flexible preparation.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/926e5de6/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: GISF and the Security Fundamentals Every New Cyber Professional Needs</title>
      <itunes:episode>48</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>48</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: GISF and the Security Fundamentals Every New Cyber Professional Needs</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
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      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/146ce9c0</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[GIAC Information Security Fundamentals (GISF) is a foundational cybersecurity certification for people who want to understand how security concepts fit together before moving into deeper technical, operations, governance, or management paths. In this narrated episode, based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what GISF is, who it is for, what the exam really tests, and why “fundamentals” can be broader than many new learners expect. This episode also looks at where the credential fits in an early cybersecurity or IT career path, including how it can support career-changers, help desk professionals, junior analysts, system administrators, compliance staff, and managers who need stronger security fluency. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected resources, including flexible study support for learners who want a structured way to prepare while balancing work, life, and professional development.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[GIAC Information Security Fundamentals (GISF) is a foundational cybersecurity certification for people who want to understand how security concepts fit together before moving into deeper technical, operations, governance, or management paths. In this narrated episode, based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what GISF is, who it is for, what the exam really tests, and why “fundamentals” can be broader than many new learners expect. This episode also looks at where the credential fits in an early cybersecurity or IT career path, including how it can support career-changers, help desk professionals, junior analysts, system administrators, compliance staff, and managers who need stronger security fluency. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected resources, including flexible study support for learners who want a structured way to prepare while balancing work, life, and professional development.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:50:53 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/146ce9c0/0a8473bc.mp3" length="27546229" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>687</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[GIAC Information Security Fundamentals (GISF) is a foundational cybersecurity certification for people who want to understand how security concepts fit together before moving into deeper technical, operations, governance, or management paths. In this narrated episode, based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what GISF is, who it is for, what the exam really tests, and why “fundamentals” can be broader than many new learners expect. This episode also looks at where the credential fits in an early cybersecurity or IT career path, including how it can support career-changers, help desk professionals, junior analysts, system administrators, compliance staff, and managers who need stronger security fluency. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected resources, including flexible study support for learners who want a structured way to prepare while balancing work, life, and professional development.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/146ce9c0/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: CSSLP and the Case for Secure Software from the Start</title>
      <itunes:episode>47</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>47</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: CSSLP and the Case for Secure Software from the Start</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">ec2f1ddc-f3f2-4d61-b159-72dd48182440</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/d57942e4</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) is a specialized cybersecurity certification for people who want to understand how security fits into the full software development lifecycle. This episode walks through what the certification is, who it is designed for, what the exam really tests, and why it matters for developers, application security teams, architects, testers, and security professionals who work near software delivery. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion keeps the focus practical, plain-English, and career-oriented. You will hear how CSSLP goes beyond secure coding by covering requirements, architecture, implementation, testing, deployment, operations, maintenance, and software supply chain risk. The episode also explains where the credential fits in a broader certification path, when it may be too early, and how to prepare in a structured way. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is also mentioned as the broader home for connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) is a specialized cybersecurity certification for people who want to understand how security fits into the full software development lifecycle. This episode walks through what the certification is, who it is designed for, what the exam really tests, and why it matters for developers, application security teams, architects, testers, and security professionals who work near software delivery. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion keeps the focus practical, plain-English, and career-oriented. You will hear how CSSLP goes beyond secure coding by covering requirements, architecture, implementation, testing, deployment, operations, maintenance, and software supply chain risk. The episode also explains where the credential fits in a broader certification path, when it may be too early, and how to prepare in a structured way. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is also mentioned as the broader home for connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:50:49 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/d57942e4/dcf34067.mp3" length="34337005" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>857</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) is a specialized cybersecurity certification for people who want to understand how security fits into the full software development lifecycle. This episode walks through what the certification is, who it is designed for, what the exam really tests, and why it matters for developers, application security teams, architects, testers, and security professionals who work near software delivery. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion keeps the focus practical, plain-English, and career-oriented. You will hear how CSSLP goes beyond secure coding by covering requirements, architecture, implementation, testing, deployment, operations, maintenance, and software supply chain risk. The episode also explains where the credential fits in a broader certification path, when it may be too early, and how to prepare in a structured way. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is also mentioned as the broader home for connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/d57942e4/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Is CloudNetX the Next Step for Cloud Network Architects?</title>
      <itunes:episode>46</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>46</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Is CloudNetX the Next Step for Cloud Network Architects?</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">8449b9f5-4b44-42db-ae6f-bda2d47c5b2c</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/35237b1a</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA CloudNetX (CNX-001) is an advanced certification for professionals who want to move beyond basic cloud knowledge and into the design, security, monitoring, and troubleshooting of hybrid cloud networks. In this episode, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why it matters for people building careers at the intersection of networking, cloud, and cybersecurity. The discussion is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for learners who want the practical meaning behind the certification, not just a list of exam topics. We also look at what CNX-001 really tests, including hybrid connectivity, network architecture, zero trust concepts, monitoring, performance, and troubleshooting. The episode explains where this certification fits in a larger career path and why it usually makes sense after a strong foundation in networking, security, and cloud operations. For listeners who want a more structured study path, the Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including the free audio course and companion books.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA CloudNetX (CNX-001) is an advanced certification for professionals who want to move beyond basic cloud knowledge and into the design, security, monitoring, and troubleshooting of hybrid cloud networks. In this episode, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why it matters for people building careers at the intersection of networking, cloud, and cybersecurity. The discussion is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for learners who want the practical meaning behind the certification, not just a list of exam topics. We also look at what CNX-001 really tests, including hybrid connectivity, network architecture, zero trust concepts, monitoring, performance, and troubleshooting. The episode explains where this certification fits in a larger career path and why it usually makes sense after a strong foundation in networking, security, and cloud operations. For listeners who want a more structured study path, the Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including the free audio course and companion books.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:50:43 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/35237b1a/4f7c2b8e.mp3" length="39478951" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>986</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA CloudNetX (CNX-001) is an advanced certification for professionals who want to move beyond basic cloud knowledge and into the design, security, monitoring, and troubleshooting of hybrid cloud networks. In this episode, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why it matters for people building careers at the intersection of networking, cloud, and cybersecurity. The discussion is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for learners who want the practical meaning behind the certification, not just a list of exam topics. We also look at what CNX-001 really tests, including hybrid connectivity, network architecture, zero trust concepts, monitoring, performance, and troubleshooting. The episode explains where this certification fits in a larger career path and why it usually makes sense after a strong foundation in networking, security, and cloud operations. For listeners who want a more structured study path, the Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including the free audio course and companion books.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/35237b1a/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: AAIR and the Rise of AI Risk Leadership</title>
      <itunes:episode>45</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>45</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: AAIR and the Rise of AI Risk Leadership</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">0957a0d2-3f13-41f3-8314-50c2030aba80</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/57d2598c</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through ISACA Advanced in AI Risk (AAIR), a credential built for professionals who already understand risk and now need to apply that experience to artificial intelligence. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion explains who the certification is for, why AI risk is becoming a governance and business issue, and how the exam focuses on applied judgment rather than pure technical AI engineering. It is a useful listen for GRC, audit, security, privacy, compliance, and enterprise risk professionals trying to understand where AI oversight fits into their career path. We also look at what AAIR really tests, including AI risk governance, lifecycle risk management, and AI risk program management. The episode breaks down how candidates can prepare without turning study time into a second full-time job, especially by combining structured reading, scenario thinking, review, and question practice. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is discussed as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including the free audio course and companion books designed to support flexible preparation.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through ISACA Advanced in AI Risk (AAIR), a credential built for professionals who already understand risk and now need to apply that experience to artificial intelligence. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion explains who the certification is for, why AI risk is becoming a governance and business issue, and how the exam focuses on applied judgment rather than pure technical AI engineering. It is a useful listen for GRC, audit, security, privacy, compliance, and enterprise risk professionals trying to understand where AI oversight fits into their career path. We also look at what AAIR really tests, including AI risk governance, lifecycle risk management, and AI risk program management. The episode breaks down how candidates can prepare without turning study time into a second full-time job, especially by combining structured reading, scenario thinking, review, and question practice. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is discussed as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including the free audio course and companion books designed to support flexible preparation.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:50:38 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/57d2598c/cfd1bb42.mp3" length="32539766" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>812</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through ISACA Advanced in AI Risk (AAIR), a credential built for professionals who already understand risk and now need to apply that experience to artificial intelligence. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion explains who the certification is for, why AI risk is becoming a governance and business issue, and how the exam focuses on applied judgment rather than pure technical AI engineering. It is a useful listen for GRC, audit, security, privacy, compliance, and enterprise risk professionals trying to understand where AI oversight fits into their career path. We also look at what AAIR really tests, including AI risk governance, lifecycle risk management, and AI risk program management. The episode breaks down how candidates can prepare without turning study time into a second full-time job, especially by combining structured reading, scenario thinking, review, and question practice. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is discussed as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including the free audio course and companion books designed to support flexible preparation.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/57d2598c/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: DataSys+ and the Practical Path Into Database Administration</title>
      <itunes:episode>44</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>44</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: DataSys+ and the Practical Path Into Database Administration</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">b38d5bfd-ed54-4785-a5c9-174e17b586f2</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/d310f4ef</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA DataSys+ (DataSys+) is a practical certification for people who want to understand how database systems are deployed, managed, secured, maintained, and recovered. In this episode, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why it matters for early-career IT professionals, career changers, junior database administrators, technical support staff, system administrators, and data-focused learners who want to move closer to operational database work. This narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine. We look at what DataSys+ really tests, including database fundamentals, deployment, maintenance, security, governance, backup, and business continuity. We also place the credential into a broader career path and explain how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy fits as the home for connected study resources, including the free audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards ebook.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA DataSys+ (DataSys+) is a practical certification for people who want to understand how database systems are deployed, managed, secured, maintained, and recovered. In this episode, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why it matters for early-career IT professionals, career changers, junior database administrators, technical support staff, system administrators, and data-focused learners who want to move closer to operational database work. This narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine. We look at what DataSys+ really tests, including database fundamentals, deployment, maintenance, security, governance, backup, and business continuity. We also place the credential into a broader career path and explain how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy fits as the home for connected study resources, including the free audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards ebook.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:50:33 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/d310f4ef/e1f13b83.mp3" length="32310955" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>806</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA DataSys+ (DataSys+) is a practical certification for people who want to understand how database systems are deployed, managed, secured, maintained, and recovered. In this episode, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why it matters for early-career IT professionals, career changers, junior database administrators, technical support staff, system administrators, and data-focused learners who want to move closer to operational database work. This narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine. We look at what DataSys+ really tests, including database fundamentals, deployment, maintenance, security, governance, backup, and business continuity. We also place the credential into a broader career path and explain how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy fits as the home for connected study resources, including the free audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards ebook.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/d310f4ef/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: AutoOps+ and the Rise of Automation-Driven IT Operations</title>
      <itunes:episode>43</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>43</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: AutoOps+ and the Rise of Automation-Driven IT Operations</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">2f4ab5dd-1906-4e9b-9a9f-fab8c6621443</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/cfbb67df</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA AutoOps+ (AutoOps+) is built for IT professionals who are seeing operations work shift from manual administration toward automation, pipelines, configuration control, and cloud-connected workflows. In this episode, we walk through what the certification is, who it is really for, what kinds of skills the exam is designed to measure, and why automation has become such an important part of modern infrastructure work. This narrated version is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine. We also look at how AutoOps+ fits into a broader career path for early-career professionals moving from systems, networking, cloud, or support roles into more automation-aware operations work. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA AutoOps+ (AutoOps+) is built for IT professionals who are seeing operations work shift from manual administration toward automation, pipelines, configuration control, and cloud-connected workflows. In this episode, we walk through what the certification is, who it is really for, what kinds of skills the exam is designed to measure, and why automation has become such an important part of modern infrastructure work. This narrated version is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine. We also look at how AutoOps+ fits into a broader career path for early-career professionals moving from systems, networking, cloud, or support roles into more automation-aware operations work. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:50:28 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/cfbb67df/d97642e4.mp3" length="37202118" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>929</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA AutoOps+ (AutoOps+) is built for IT professionals who are seeing operations work shift from manual administration toward automation, pipelines, configuration control, and cloud-connected workflows. In this episode, we walk through what the certification is, who it is really for, what kinds of skills the exam is designed to measure, and why automation has become such an important part of modern infrastructure work. This narrated version is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine. We also look at how AutoOps+ fits into a broader career path for early-career professionals moving from systems, networking, cloud, or support roles into more automation-aware operations work. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/cfbb67df/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: CompTIA DataAI and the Move from Data Literacy to Data Science Leadership</title>
      <itunes:episode>42</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>42</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: CompTIA DataAI and the Move from Data Literacy to Data Science Leadership</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">b615d6c5-7fbf-4f3c-89eb-ecc1b341d72f</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/147e9220</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA DataAI (DataAI) is an advanced certification for professionals working with data science, machine learning, analytics, and AI-enabled decision systems. In this episode, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, what the exam is designed to test, and why it should not be treated as a beginner data certification. The discussion is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for listeners who want plain-English guidance before deciding whether this certification fits their path. We also look at where DataAI belongs in a broader career plan, especially for professionals moving from data analysis into deeper modeling, machine learning, MLOps, AI governance, security analytics, or risk-focused technical work. The episode explains how to think about preparation, including statistics, modeling, operational processes, and applied judgment. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including flexible study support for people balancing learning with real work.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA DataAI (DataAI) is an advanced certification for professionals working with data science, machine learning, analytics, and AI-enabled decision systems. In this episode, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, what the exam is designed to test, and why it should not be treated as a beginner data certification. The discussion is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for listeners who want plain-English guidance before deciding whether this certification fits their path. We also look at where DataAI belongs in a broader career plan, especially for professionals moving from data analysis into deeper modeling, machine learning, MLOps, AI governance, security analytics, or risk-focused technical work. The episode explains how to think about preparation, including statistics, modeling, operational processes, and applied judgment. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including flexible study support for people balancing learning with real work.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:50:23 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/147e9220/2fc034de.mp3" length="37256470" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>930</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA DataAI (DataAI) is an advanced certification for professionals working with data science, machine learning, analytics, and AI-enabled decision systems. In this episode, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, what the exam is designed to test, and why it should not be treated as a beginner data certification. The discussion is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for listeners who want plain-English guidance before deciding whether this certification fits their path. We also look at where DataAI belongs in a broader career plan, especially for professionals moving from data analysis into deeper modeling, machine learning, MLOps, AI governance, security analytics, or risk-focused technical work. The episode explains how to think about preparation, including statistics, modeling, operational processes, and applied judgment. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including flexible study support for people balancing learning with real work.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/147e9220/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: SecAI+ and the New AI Security Skill Set</title>
      <itunes:episode>41</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>41</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: SecAI+ and the New AI Security Skill Set</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">6ffa59e7-baf1-4350-9a4b-c9cde618dde1</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/9ec4ef08</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA SecAI+ (SecAI+) is designed for cybersecurity professionals who need to understand where artificial intelligence fits into real security work. In this episode, we walk through what the certification covers, who it is for, and why AI security is becoming more than a future-looking specialty. The focus is practical: securing AI systems, protecting data and models, using AI responsibly in security operations, and understanding the governance and risk questions that come with adoption. This narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine. We also look at how SecAI+ fits into a broader career path, especially for learners who already have cybersecurity fundamentals and want to build toward AI security, cloud security, security operations, or governance roles. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including structured study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA SecAI+ (SecAI+) is designed for cybersecurity professionals who need to understand where artificial intelligence fits into real security work. In this episode, we walk through what the certification covers, who it is for, and why AI security is becoming more than a future-looking specialty. The focus is practical: securing AI systems, protecting data and models, using AI responsibly in security operations, and understanding the governance and risk questions that come with adoption. This narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine. We also look at how SecAI+ fits into a broader career path, especially for learners who already have cybersecurity fundamentals and want to build toward AI security, cloud security, security operations, or governance roles. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including structured study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:50:18 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/9ec4ef08/22b6f827.mp3" length="38695261" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>966</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA SecAI+ (SecAI+) is designed for cybersecurity professionals who need to understand where artificial intelligence fits into real security work. In this episode, we walk through what the certification covers, who it is for, and why AI security is becoming more than a future-looking specialty. The focus is practical: securing AI systems, protecting data and models, using AI responsibly in security operations, and understanding the governance and risk questions that come with adoption. This narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine. We also look at how SecAI+ fits into a broader career path, especially for learners who already have cybersecurity fundamentals and want to build toward AI security, cloud security, security operations, or governance roles. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including structured study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/9ec4ef08/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Is AAIA the Next Step for AI Audit Professionals?</title>
      <itunes:episode>40</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>40</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Is AAIA the Next Step for AI Audit Professionals?</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">33be9eee-1f53-438e-94db-ef7023d8a16c</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/ef16b406</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[ISACA Advanced in AI Audit (AAIA) is built for experienced audit, assurance, governance, and advisory professionals who need to evaluate artificial intelligence in real organizational settings. In this narrated version of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why AI audit is becoming more important as organizations move AI from experiments into business processes, security operations, analytics, customer workflows, and decision support. This episode also explains what AAIA really tests, including AI governance, AI operations, risk, controls, evidence, monitoring, and audit techniques. It looks at where the credential fits in a broader career path, especially for professionals moving from IT audit, risk, compliance, privacy, or governance into AI assurance. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is also discussed as the broader home for structured certification resources, including audio-first study support and companion materials for busy professionals.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[ISACA Advanced in AI Audit (AAIA) is built for experienced audit, assurance, governance, and advisory professionals who need to evaluate artificial intelligence in real organizational settings. In this narrated version of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why AI audit is becoming more important as organizations move AI from experiments into business processes, security operations, analytics, customer workflows, and decision support. This episode also explains what AAIA really tests, including AI governance, AI operations, risk, controls, evidence, monitoring, and audit techniques. It looks at where the credential fits in a broader career path, especially for professionals moving from IT audit, risk, compliance, privacy, or governance into AI assurance. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is also discussed as the broader home for structured certification resources, including audio-first study support and companion materials for busy professionals.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:50:14 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/ef16b406/9a172f73.mp3" length="33924266" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>847</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[ISACA Advanced in AI Audit (AAIA) is built for experienced audit, assurance, governance, and advisory professionals who need to evaluate artificial intelligence in real organizational settings. In this narrated version of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why AI audit is becoming more important as organizations move AI from experiments into business processes, security operations, analytics, customer workflows, and decision support. This episode also explains what AAIA really tests, including AI governance, AI operations, risk, controls, evidence, monitoring, and audit techniques. It looks at where the credential fits in a broader career path, especially for professionals moving from IT audit, risk, compliance, privacy, or governance into AI assurance. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is also discussed as the broader home for structured certification resources, including audio-first study support and companion materials for busy professionals.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/ef16b406/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: CompTIA Data+ and the Rise of Practical Data Literacy</title>
      <itunes:episode>39</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>39</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: CompTIA Data+ and the Rise of Practical Data Literacy</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">f50576f1-a41d-4645-8694-4f2551ce4055</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/d5d1e905</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA Data+ (Data+) is a practical, early-career certification for people who want to become more confident working with data. In this narrated version of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the certification is, who it is really for, and why data literacy now matters across IT, cybersecurity, governance, operations, and business roles. The episode explains how Data+ fits between basic technology knowledge and more specialized data, cloud, cyber, or analytics paths. We also look at what the exam really tests, including data concepts, preparation, analysis, visualization, reporting, and governance. Rather than treating the credential as a memorization exercise, the discussion focuses on the kind of thinking it rewards: understanding messy data, choosing useful visuals, recognizing quality issues, and communicating findings responsibly. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA Data+ (Data+) is a practical, early-career certification for people who want to become more confident working with data. In this narrated version of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the certification is, who it is really for, and why data literacy now matters across IT, cybersecurity, governance, operations, and business roles. The episode explains how Data+ fits between basic technology knowledge and more specialized data, cloud, cyber, or analytics paths. We also look at what the exam really tests, including data concepts, preparation, analysis, visualization, reporting, and governance. Rather than treating the credential as a memorization exercise, the discussion focuses on the kind of thinking it rewards: understanding messy data, choosing useful visuals, recognizing quality issues, and communicating findings responsibly. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:50:09 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/d5d1e905/84ac9c86.mp3" length="35520874" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>887</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA Data+ (Data+) is a practical, early-career certification for people who want to become more confident working with data. In this narrated version of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the certification is, who it is really for, and why data literacy now matters across IT, cybersecurity, governance, operations, and business roles. The episode explains how Data+ fits between basic technology knowledge and more specialized data, cloud, cyber, or analytics paths. We also look at what the exam really tests, including data concepts, preparation, analysis, visualization, reporting, and governance. Rather than treating the credential as a memorization exercise, the discussion focuses on the kind of thinking it rewards: understanding messy data, choosing useful visuals, recognizing quality issues, and communicating findings responsibly. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/d5d1e905/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: CGEIT and the Business Discipline of IT Governance</title>
      <itunes:episode>38</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>38</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: CGEIT and the Business Discipline of IT Governance</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">99a60175-bdd6-4ba3-84f2-8c202b54a6bb</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/a1c8cb2d</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT), a certification for professionals who want to understand how technology decisions connect to business strategy, accountability, value, and risk. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, this narration explains why CGEIT is different from a hands-on technical exam and why it matters for people moving toward IT governance, GRC, audit, risk management, consulting, or leadership roles. We also look at what the exam really tests, including governance structures, IT resources, benefits realization, and risk optimization. The episode explains how CGEIT fits into a broader career path, when it may make sense to pursue it, and how learners can prepare without getting lost in governance jargon. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including the free audio course and companion study materials.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT), a certification for professionals who want to understand how technology decisions connect to business strategy, accountability, value, and risk. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, this narration explains why CGEIT is different from a hands-on technical exam and why it matters for people moving toward IT governance, GRC, audit, risk management, consulting, or leadership roles. We also look at what the exam really tests, including governance structures, IT resources, benefits realization, and risk optimization. The episode explains how CGEIT fits into a broader career path, when it may make sense to pursue it, and how learners can prepare without getting lost in governance jargon. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including the free audio course and companion study materials.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:50:04 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/a1c8cb2d/4f7e79b5.mp3" length="35471761" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>885</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT), a certification for professionals who want to understand how technology decisions connect to business strategy, accountability, value, and risk. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, this narration explains why CGEIT is different from a hands-on technical exam and why it matters for people moving toward IT governance, GRC, audit, risk management, consulting, or leadership roles. We also look at what the exam really tests, including governance structures, IT resources, benefits realization, and risk optimization. The episode explains how CGEIT fits into a broader career path, when it may make sense to pursue it, and how learners can prepare without getting lost in governance jargon. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including the free audio course and companion study materials.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/a1c8cb2d/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: PMI-RMP and the Discipline of Project Risk</title>
      <itunes:episode>37</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>37</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: PMI-RMP and the Discipline of Project Risk</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">3d42d828-9e5e-4477-a036-d190b84f398e</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/46d19e96</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through the PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP), a specialized credential for professionals who want to understand project risk before it turns into missed deadlines, budget pressure, stakeholder conflict, compliance problems, or delivery failure. Based on the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion explains who the certification is for, why risk management matters in cyber and IT work, and how the exam looks beyond simple terminology to test practical judgment. You’ll hear how PMI-RMP fits into a broader career path for project managers, risk professionals, governance analysts, cybersecurity practitioners, compliance leads, and technology professionals moving toward leadership. The episode also covers what the exam really tests, how to prepare with a phased study plan, and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy supports flexible certification prep through connected learning resources for busy professionals.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through the PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP), a specialized credential for professionals who want to understand project risk before it turns into missed deadlines, budget pressure, stakeholder conflict, compliance problems, or delivery failure. Based on the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion explains who the certification is for, why risk management matters in cyber and IT work, and how the exam looks beyond simple terminology to test practical judgment. You’ll hear how PMI-RMP fits into a broader career path for project managers, risk professionals, governance analysts, cybersecurity practitioners, compliance leads, and technology professionals moving toward leadership. The episode also covers what the exam really tests, how to prepare with a phased study plan, and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy supports flexible certification prep through connected learning resources for busy professionals.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:49:59 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/46d19e96/57f4d6e3.mp3" length="43396259" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>1083</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through the PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP), a specialized credential for professionals who want to understand project risk before it turns into missed deadlines, budget pressure, stakeholder conflict, compliance problems, or delivery failure. Based on the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion explains who the certification is for, why risk management matters in cyber and IT work, and how the exam looks beyond simple terminology to test practical judgment. You’ll hear how PMI-RMP fits into a broader career path for project managers, risk professionals, governance analysts, cybersecurity practitioners, compliance leads, and technology professionals moving toward leadership. The episode also covers what the exam really tests, how to prepare with a phased study plan, and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy supports flexible certification prep through connected learning resources for busy professionals.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/46d19e96/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: PMI-ACP and the Shift from Agile Vocabulary to Agile Judgment</title>
      <itunes:episode>36</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>36</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: PMI-ACP and the Shift from Agile Vocabulary to Agile Judgment</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">1250ac5b-9c54-410f-9913-1d4fa2fc28ff</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/dc3817a7</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is built for professionals who work in agile environments and want to show more than surface-level familiarity with Scrum terms or team ceremonies. This episode walks through what the certification is, who it is for, what the exam really tests, and why it can matter for project, product, cyber, cloud, IT, and technology professionals who help teams deliver value through changing priorities, feedback, and iterative work. This narrated version is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine. We’ll look at how PMI-ACP fits into a broader career path, where it compares with project management and Scrum-focused credentials, and how a practical study plan can make the exam feel more manageable. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is also the broader home for connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is built for professionals who work in agile environments and want to show more than surface-level familiarity with Scrum terms or team ceremonies. This episode walks through what the certification is, who it is for, what the exam really tests, and why it can matter for project, product, cyber, cloud, IT, and technology professionals who help teams deliver value through changing priorities, feedback, and iterative work. This narrated version is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine. We’ll look at how PMI-ACP fits into a broader career path, where it compares with project management and Scrum-focused credentials, and how a practical study plan can make the exam feel more manageable. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is also the broader home for connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:49:54 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/dc3817a7/bc7b1fb4.mp3" length="35195919" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>878</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is built for professionals who work in agile environments and want to show more than surface-level familiarity with Scrum terms or team ceremonies. This episode walks through what the certification is, who it is for, what the exam really tests, and why it can matter for project, product, cyber, cloud, IT, and technology professionals who help teams deliver value through changing priorities, feedback, and iterative work. This narrated version is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine. We’ll look at how PMI-ACP fits into a broader career path, where it compares with project management and Scrum-focused credentials, and how a practical study plan can make the exam feel more manageable. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is also the broader home for connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/dc3817a7/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: ISSEP and the Engineering Side of Cybersecurity</title>
      <itunes:episode>35</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>35</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: ISSEP and the Engineering Side of Cybersecurity</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">9e06713f-2b5d-4dac-bb01-87aa8fe7a4e2</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/6a487189</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through the Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP), an advanced ISC2 credential for professionals who want to design security into systems, projects, applications, and business processes from the beginning. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the episode explains who this certification is for, why it matters, and how it differs from broader security credentials that focus more on general cybersecurity management or operations. You’ll hear how ISSEP connects security requirements, risk management, systems engineering, implementation, validation, secure operations, change control, and disposal. The episode also explains what the exam really tests and where this credential fits in a larger career path. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the related certification resources, including the free audio course and companion study materials.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through the Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP), an advanced ISC2 credential for professionals who want to design security into systems, projects, applications, and business processes from the beginning. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the episode explains who this certification is for, why it matters, and how it differs from broader security credentials that focus more on general cybersecurity management or operations. You’ll hear how ISSEP connects security requirements, risk management, systems engineering, implementation, validation, secure operations, change control, and disposal. The episode also explains what the exam really tests and where this credential fits in a larger career path. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the related certification resources, including the free audio course and companion study materials.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:49:49 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/6a487189/7082d169.mp3" length="35916885" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>896</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through the Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP), an advanced ISC2 credential for professionals who want to design security into systems, projects, applications, and business processes from the beginning. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the episode explains who this certification is for, why it matters, and how it differs from broader security credentials that focus more on general cybersecurity management or operations. You’ll hear how ISSEP connects security requirements, risk management, systems engineering, implementation, validation, secure operations, change control, and disposal. The episode also explains what the exam really tests and where this credential fits in a larger career path. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the related certification resources, including the free audio course and companion study materials.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/6a487189/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: CGRC and the Career Path Into Governance, Risk, and Compliance</title>
      <itunes:episode>34</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>34</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: CGRC and the Career Path Into Governance, Risk, and Compliance</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">fc321b1e-fea6-4099-902c-a6d70daabe8b</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/2af275f6</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through Certified in Governance, Risk and Compliance (CGRC), an ISC2 credential for professionals who want to understand how cybersecurity connects to risk management, compliance, controls, assessment, and system authorization. Based on the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion explains who the certification is for, why it matters, and how it fits professionals moving toward GRC, information assurance, audit support, federal cybersecurity, or control-focused security work. You’ll also hear what CGRC really tests, including system scope, control selection, implementation, assessment, compliance, and ongoing maintenance. The episode keeps the focus practical for early-career listeners by explaining the kind of thinking the exam rewards and where the credential fits in a broader certification path. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is also introduced as the broader home for connected resources that can help learners study in a structured, flexible way.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through Certified in Governance, Risk and Compliance (CGRC), an ISC2 credential for professionals who want to understand how cybersecurity connects to risk management, compliance, controls, assessment, and system authorization. Based on the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion explains who the certification is for, why it matters, and how it fits professionals moving toward GRC, information assurance, audit support, federal cybersecurity, or control-focused security work. You’ll also hear what CGRC really tests, including system scope, control selection, implementation, assessment, compliance, and ongoing maintenance. The episode keeps the focus practical for early-career listeners by explaining the kind of thinking the exam rewards and where the credential fits in a broader certification path. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is also introduced as the broader home for connected resources that can help learners study in a structured, flexible way.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:49:45 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/2af275f6/534e634e.mp3" length="36511447" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>911</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through Certified in Governance, Risk and Compliance (CGRC), an ISC2 credential for professionals who want to understand how cybersecurity connects to risk management, compliance, controls, assessment, and system authorization. Based on the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion explains who the certification is for, why it matters, and how it fits professionals moving toward GRC, information assurance, audit support, federal cybersecurity, or control-focused security work. You’ll also hear what CGRC really tests, including system scope, control selection, implementation, assessment, compliance, and ongoing maintenance. The episode keeps the focus practical for early-career listeners by explaining the kind of thinking the exam rewards and where the credential fits in a broader certification path. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is also introduced as the broader home for connected resources that can help learners study in a structured, flexible way.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/2af275f6/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Why CIPM Matters for Privacy Program Careers</title>
      <itunes:episode>33</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>33</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Why CIPM Matters for Privacy Program Careers</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">f32a595c-35e5-4874-bf6e-5df0df5dbad6</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/254e4a08</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) is for professionals who want to understand how privacy becomes a real operating program inside an organization. In this narrated episode, based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the credential is, who it is for, and why it matters for people working in privacy, compliance, GRC, audit, security, legal operations, data governance, and business risk. The episode also explains what the exam really tests, including privacy governance, assessments, accountability, response processes, metrics, and program improvement. You will hear how CIPM fits into a larger career path, how it compares with related privacy and security credentials, and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy can support structured preparation through connected certification resources.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) is for professionals who want to understand how privacy becomes a real operating program inside an organization. In this narrated episode, based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the credential is, who it is for, and why it matters for people working in privacy, compliance, GRC, audit, security, legal operations, data governance, and business risk. The episode also explains what the exam really tests, including privacy governance, assessments, accountability, response processes, metrics, and program improvement. You will hear how CIPM fits into a larger career path, how it compares with related privacy and security credentials, and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy can support structured preparation through connected certification resources.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:49:39 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/254e4a08/e7994cbf.mp3" length="34618073" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>864</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) is for professionals who want to understand how privacy becomes a real operating program inside an organization. In this narrated episode, based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the credential is, who it is for, and why it matters for people working in privacy, compliance, GRC, audit, security, legal operations, data governance, and business risk. The episode also explains what the exam really tests, including privacy governance, assessments, accountability, response processes, metrics, and program improvement. You will hear how CIPM fits into a larger career path, how it compares with related privacy and security credentials, and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy can support structured preparation through connected certification resources.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/254e4a08/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: GIAC GCLD and the Practical Side of Cloud Security</title>
      <itunes:episode>32</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>32</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: GIAC GCLD and the Practical Side of Cloud Security</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">937c2ee4-d371-419a-aab6-b5c3df193a6e</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/a4de92d4</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[GIAC Cloud Security Essentials (GCLD) is built for people who need to understand cloud security as real operational work, not just as a list of cloud vocabulary terms. In this episode, based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the credential is, who it is for, what the exam really tests, and why cloud identity, logging, networking, storage, automation, and incident response matter so much in modern security roles. We also look at where GCLD fits in a bigger career path for analysts, engineers, administrators, auditors, risk professionals, and technical managers who are moving deeper into cloud environments. The episode explains how to prepare for the exam in a practical way, how the open-book format changes study strategy, and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy can serve as the broader home for structured certification resources.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[GIAC Cloud Security Essentials (GCLD) is built for people who need to understand cloud security as real operational work, not just as a list of cloud vocabulary terms. In this episode, based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the credential is, who it is for, what the exam really tests, and why cloud identity, logging, networking, storage, automation, and incident response matter so much in modern security roles. We also look at where GCLD fits in a bigger career path for analysts, engineers, administrators, auditors, risk professionals, and technical managers who are moving deeper into cloud environments. The episode explains how to prepare for the exam in a practical way, how the open-book format changes study strategy, and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy can serve as the broader home for structured certification resources.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:49:34 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/a4de92d4/85b98705.mp3" length="35743435" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>892</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[GIAC Cloud Security Essentials (GCLD) is built for people who need to understand cloud security as real operational work, not just as a list of cloud vocabulary terms. In this episode, based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the credential is, who it is for, what the exam really tests, and why cloud identity, logging, networking, storage, automation, and incident response matter so much in modern security roles. We also look at where GCLD fits in a bigger career path for analysts, engineers, administrators, auditors, risk professionals, and technical managers who are moving deeper into cloud environments. The episode explains how to prepare for the exam in a practical way, how the open-book format changes study strategy, and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy can serve as the broader home for structured certification resources.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/a4de92d4/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: ISSAP and the Architecture Side of Cybersecurity</title>
      <itunes:episode>31</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>31</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: ISSAP and the Architecture Side of Cybersecurity</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">bb63a400-19bd-4a5c-abb8-9bc2c2dd35c9</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/018c3524</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through the ISC2 Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (ISSAP), an advanced cybersecurity certification for professionals who want to move beyond individual tools and controls into security architecture. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion explains who the credential is for, why it matters, and how it fits professionals who are building toward senior technical, architecture, cloud, identity, governance, or enterprise security roles. You’ll hear how ISSAP tests architecture judgment across governance, risk, compliance, security modeling, infrastructure, systems, and identity access management. The episode also covers how to think about preparation, where this certification fits in a broader career path, and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy can support a structured study plan through its connected certification resources.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through the ISC2 Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (ISSAP), an advanced cybersecurity certification for professionals who want to move beyond individual tools and controls into security architecture. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion explains who the credential is for, why it matters, and how it fits professionals who are building toward senior technical, architecture, cloud, identity, governance, or enterprise security roles. You’ll hear how ISSAP tests architecture judgment across governance, risk, compliance, security modeling, infrastructure, systems, and identity access management. The episode also covers how to think about preparation, where this certification fits in a broader career path, and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy can support a structured study plan through its connected certification resources.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:49:29 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/018c3524/4e509574.mp3" length="44531024" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>1112</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through the ISC2 Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (ISSAP), an advanced cybersecurity certification for professionals who want to move beyond individual tools and controls into security architecture. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion explains who the credential is for, why it matters, and how it fits professionals who are building toward senior technical, architecture, cloud, identity, governance, or enterprise security roles. You’ll hear how ISSAP tests architecture judgment across governance, risk, compliance, security modeling, infrastructure, systems, and identity access management. The episode also covers how to think about preparation, where this certification fits in a broader career path, and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy can support a structured study plan through its connected certification resources.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/018c3524/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: CDPSE and the Rise of Practical Privacy Engineering</title>
      <itunes:episode>30</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>30</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: CDPSE and the Rise of Practical Privacy Engineering</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">aa43978c-4703-42a8-8ba3-0ec976576cb4</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/bb6fd950</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE) sits at the point where privacy, security, governance, compliance, and technology implementation meet. In this episode, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why it matters for professionals who work with personal data, cloud systems, identity, vendors, risk, and data lifecycle decisions. The episode is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for early-career professionals, career changers, and working technologists who want a plain-English view of where this certification fits. We also look at what CDPSE really tests, including privacy governance, privacy risk, compliance, data lifecycle management, and privacy engineering. Rather than treating privacy as only a legal or policy issue, this episode explains how the credential connects privacy requirements to real systems and real operating decisions. You will also hear how the certification can fit into a broader career path and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for connected study resources, including audio, guidebook, and flash card support.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE) sits at the point where privacy, security, governance, compliance, and technology implementation meet. In this episode, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why it matters for professionals who work with personal data, cloud systems, identity, vendors, risk, and data lifecycle decisions. The episode is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for early-career professionals, career changers, and working technologists who want a plain-English view of where this certification fits. We also look at what CDPSE really tests, including privacy governance, privacy risk, compliance, data lifecycle management, and privacy engineering. Rather than treating privacy as only a legal or policy issue, this episode explains how the credential connects privacy requirements to real systems and real operating decisions. You will also hear how the certification can fit into a broader career path and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for connected study resources, including audio, guidebook, and flash card support.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:49:24 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/bb6fd950/190d30e8.mp3" length="28535729" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>712</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE) sits at the point where privacy, security, governance, compliance, and technology implementation meet. In this episode, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why it matters for professionals who work with personal data, cloud systems, identity, vendors, risk, and data lifecycle decisions. The episode is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for early-career professionals, career changers, and working technologists who want a plain-English view of where this certification fits. We also look at what CDPSE really tests, including privacy governance, privacy risk, compliance, data lifecycle management, and privacy engineering. Rather than treating privacy as only a legal or policy issue, this episode explains how the credential connects privacy requirements to real systems and real operating decisions. You will also hear how the certification can fit into a broader career path and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for connected study resources, including audio, guidebook, and flash card support.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/bb6fd950/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Why Linux+ Still Matters for Modern IT Careers</title>
      <itunes:episode>29</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>29</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Why Linux+ Still Matters for Modern IT Careers</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">04c2c9c8-971e-4f2e-9348-b21efbc5a030</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/ebe72ad6</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA Linux+ (Linux+) is a practical certification for people who want stronger confidence with the Linux systems behind modern IT, cloud, security, and infrastructure work. This episode walks through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why Linux knowledge matters even if you do not plan to become a full-time Linux administrator. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is designed for early-career professionals, career-changers, and technical learners who want a plain-English view of the exam before committing serious study time. We will look at what Linux+ really tests, including system management, permissions, services, storage, networking, security, automation, containers, and troubleshooting. The episode also explains how the certification fits into a larger career path, including support, systems administration, cybersecurity, cloud, and operations roles. Along the way, it places the credential in the broader Bare Metal Cyber Academy ecosystem, where learners can use structured resources to prepare more flexibly and build practical confidence over time.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA Linux+ (Linux+) is a practical certification for people who want stronger confidence with the Linux systems behind modern IT, cloud, security, and infrastructure work. This episode walks through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why Linux knowledge matters even if you do not plan to become a full-time Linux administrator. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is designed for early-career professionals, career-changers, and technical learners who want a plain-English view of the exam before committing serious study time. We will look at what Linux+ really tests, including system management, permissions, services, storage, networking, security, automation, containers, and troubleshooting. The episode also explains how the certification fits into a larger career path, including support, systems administration, cybersecurity, cloud, and operations roles. Along the way, it places the credential in the broader Bare Metal Cyber Academy ecosystem, where learners can use structured resources to prepare more flexibly and build practical confidence over time.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:49:20 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/ebe72ad6/fcbfd93a.mp3" length="33864704" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>845</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA Linux+ (Linux+) is a practical certification for people who want stronger confidence with the Linux systems behind modern IT, cloud, security, and infrastructure work. This episode walks through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why Linux knowledge matters even if you do not plan to become a full-time Linux administrator. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is designed for early-career professionals, career-changers, and technical learners who want a plain-English view of the exam before committing serious study time. We will look at what Linux+ really tests, including system management, permissions, services, storage, networking, security, automation, containers, and troubleshooting. The episode also explains how the certification fits into a larger career path, including support, systems administration, cybersecurity, cloud, and operations roles. Along the way, it places the credential in the broader Bare Metal Cyber Academy ecosystem, where learners can use structured resources to prepare more flexibly and build practical confidence over time.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/ebe72ad6/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Is GSLC the Right Security Leadership Credential for You?</title>
      <itunes:episode>28</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>28</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Is GSLC the Right Security Leadership Credential for You?</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">5c95702a-90c0-435f-96c2-80133a7ea472</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/b407843c</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[GIAC Security Leadership (GSLC) is a certification for professionals who want to understand cybersecurity from a leadership and program-management perspective, not just from the tool or ticket level. In this narrated version of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why it can matter for analysts, IT managers, team leads, risk professionals, and others who are starting to connect security work with organizational responsibility. This episode also looks at what GSLC really tests, including security operations, risk, policy, incident response, cloud, privacy, vendors, projects, vulnerability management, and the technical foundations leaders need to understand. We also discuss where the credential fits in a larger career path and how to approach preparation in a practical way. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[GIAC Security Leadership (GSLC) is a certification for professionals who want to understand cybersecurity from a leadership and program-management perspective, not just from the tool or ticket level. In this narrated version of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why it can matter for analysts, IT managers, team leads, risk professionals, and others who are starting to connect security work with organizational responsibility. This episode also looks at what GSLC really tests, including security operations, risk, policy, incident response, cloud, privacy, vendors, projects, vulnerability management, and the technical foundations leaders need to understand. We also discuss where the credential fits in a larger career path and how to approach preparation in a practical way. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:49:16 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/b407843c/8789830b.mp3" length="44852862" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>1120</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[GIAC Security Leadership (GSLC) is a certification for professionals who want to understand cybersecurity from a leadership and program-management perspective, not just from the tool or ticket level. In this narrated version of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the credential is, who it is really for, and why it can matter for analysts, IT managers, team leads, risk professionals, and others who are starting to connect security work with organizational responsibility. This episode also looks at what GSLC really tests, including security operations, risk, policy, incident response, cloud, privacy, vendors, projects, vulnerability management, and the technical foundations leaders need to understand. We also discuss where the credential fits in a larger career path and how to approach preparation in a practical way. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/b407843c/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: ISSMP and the Security Management Career Path</title>
      <itunes:episode>27</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>27</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: ISSMP and the Security Management Career Path</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">4b70b474-2f34-4b25-990d-5a306a0aacfb</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/9382b461</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[This narrated episode walks through the Information Systems Security Management Professional (ISSMP) certification in plain English for professionals who want to understand where security management fits in a cyber career path. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the episode explains what the credential is, who it is designed for, and why it matters for people moving beyond individual technical tasks into program leadership, governance, risk management, security operations, continuity planning, and executive-facing responsibility. The episode also looks at what the exam really tests, including the kind of judgment needed when security decisions involve business priorities, legal obligations, budgets, operational pressure, and organizational risk. It places ISSMP in a broader certification path and helps listeners decide whether this credential fits their current stage or belongs farther down the road. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[This narrated episode walks through the Information Systems Security Management Professional (ISSMP) certification in plain English for professionals who want to understand where security management fits in a cyber career path. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the episode explains what the credential is, who it is designed for, and why it matters for people moving beyond individual technical tasks into program leadership, governance, risk management, security operations, continuity planning, and executive-facing responsibility. The episode also looks at what the exam really tests, including the kind of judgment needed when security decisions involve business priorities, legal obligations, budgets, operational pressure, and organizational risk. It places ISSMP in a broader certification path and helps listeners decide whether this credential fits their current stage or belongs farther down the road. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:49:09 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/9382b461/749d0ad3.mp3" length="34528213" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>862</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[This narrated episode walks through the Information Systems Security Management Professional (ISSMP) certification in plain English for professionals who want to understand where security management fits in a cyber career path. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the episode explains what the credential is, who it is designed for, and why it matters for people moving beyond individual technical tasks into program leadership, governance, risk management, security operations, continuity planning, and executive-facing responsibility. The episode also looks at what the exam really tests, including the kind of judgment needed when security decisions involve business priorities, legal obligations, budgets, operational pressure, and organizational risk. It places ISSMP in a broader certification path and helps listeners decide whether this credential fits their current stage or belongs farther down the road. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/9382b461/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: CIPT and the Technical Side of Privacy</title>
      <itunes:episode>26</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>26</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: CIPT and the Technical Side of Privacy</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">8d05e2a6-72b0-4f60-9245-92107398d9bb</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/da760163</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT), a privacy credential for professionals who want to understand how data protection works inside real technology systems. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, it explains who the certification is for, why it matters, and how it connects privacy, security, product design, engineering, cloud systems, and data governance. The focus is practical: how privacy becomes part of collection, use, retention, sharing, deletion, user control, and technical risk reduction. We also look at what the CIPT exam really tests, including privacy by design, privacy engineering, responsible data use, and scenario-based decision-making. This episode is designed for early-career cyber, IT, cloud, GRC, and privacy professionals who want a clearer path into privacy technology. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is also introduced as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including the free audio course and companion books for structured, flexible preparation.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT), a privacy credential for professionals who want to understand how data protection works inside real technology systems. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, it explains who the certification is for, why it matters, and how it connects privacy, security, product design, engineering, cloud systems, and data governance. The focus is practical: how privacy becomes part of collection, use, retention, sharing, deletion, user control, and technical risk reduction. We also look at what the CIPT exam really tests, including privacy by design, privacy engineering, responsible data use, and scenario-based decision-making. This episode is designed for early-career cyber, IT, cloud, GRC, and privacy professionals who want a clearer path into privacy technology. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is also introduced as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including the free audio course and companion books for structured, flexible preparation.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:49:04 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/da760163/31cab1ab.mp3" length="35315014" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>881</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT), a privacy credential for professionals who want to understand how data protection works inside real technology systems. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, it explains who the certification is for, why it matters, and how it connects privacy, security, product design, engineering, cloud systems, and data governance. The focus is practical: how privacy becomes part of collection, use, retention, sharing, deletion, user control, and technical risk reduction. We also look at what the CIPT exam really tests, including privacy by design, privacy engineering, responsible data use, and scenario-based decision-making. This episode is designed for early-career cyber, IT, cloud, GRC, and privacy professionals who want a clearer path into privacy technology. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy is also introduced as the broader home for the connected certification resources, including the free audio course and companion books for structured, flexible preparation.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/da760163/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: GCTI and the Rise of Cyber Threat Intelligence</title>
      <itunes:episode>25</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>25</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: GCTI and the Rise of Cyber Threat Intelligence</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">588275b1-dd15-4498-915d-4b7d15787034</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/d2ec1e46</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[GIAC Cyber Threat Intelligence (GCTI) is built for people who want to understand what attackers are doing, how campaigns connect, and how raw security data becomes useful intelligence. In this narrated episode, based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what GCTI is, who it is really for, and why it matters for analysts who want to move beyond basic alert handling into deeper investigation, threat hunting, incident response, and intelligence-informed defense. We also look at what the exam really tests, including intelligence models, evidence handling, attribution caution, open-source research, malware-informed analysis, pivoting, reporting, and the difference between memorizing facts and making sound analytical judgments. The episode closes by placing GCTI into a larger career path and explaining how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy can support a flexible study plan through its connected audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards ebook.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[GIAC Cyber Threat Intelligence (GCTI) is built for people who want to understand what attackers are doing, how campaigns connect, and how raw security data becomes useful intelligence. In this narrated episode, based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what GCTI is, who it is really for, and why it matters for analysts who want to move beyond basic alert handling into deeper investigation, threat hunting, incident response, and intelligence-informed defense. We also look at what the exam really tests, including intelligence models, evidence handling, attribution caution, open-source research, malware-informed analysis, pivoting, reporting, and the difference between memorizing facts and making sound analytical judgments. The episode closes by placing GCTI into a larger career path and explaining how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy can support a flexible study plan through its connected audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards ebook.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:48:59 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/d2ec1e46/8cf712c0.mp3" length="33122826" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>827</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[GIAC Cyber Threat Intelligence (GCTI) is built for people who want to understand what attackers are doing, how campaigns connect, and how raw security data becomes useful intelligence. In this narrated episode, based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what GCTI is, who it is really for, and why it matters for analysts who want to move beyond basic alert handling into deeper investigation, threat hunting, incident response, and intelligence-informed defense. We also look at what the exam really tests, including intelligence models, evidence handling, attribution caution, open-source research, malware-informed analysis, pivoting, reporting, and the difference between memorizing facts and making sound analytical judgments. The episode closes by placing GCTI into a larger career path and explaining how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy can support a flexible study plan through its connected audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards ebook.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/d2ec1e46/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: CompTIA SecOT+ and the Future of OT Cybersecurity</title>
      <itunes:episode>24</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>24</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: CompTIA SecOT+ and the Future of OT Cybersecurity</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">d7b90d5c-aec7-4d78-9715-e955820f994d</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/dac5caab</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA SecOT+ (SecOT+) focuses on the cybersecurity skills needed to protect operational technology environments, including the industrial systems behind manufacturing, utilities, transportation, energy, water, and other critical infrastructure. This episode walks through what the certification is, who it is for, what the exam is designed to test, and why OT security is different from traditional enterprise IT security. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for learners who want a clear, practical explanation without exam jargon getting in the way. You will hear how SecOT+ fits into a larger cybersecurity career path, especially for professionals who want to work where networks, control systems, safety, uptime, and physical operations all meet. The episode also explains how to think about preparation, including OT foundations, risk management, architecture, operations, monitoring, and incident response. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA SecOT+ (SecOT+) focuses on the cybersecurity skills needed to protect operational technology environments, including the industrial systems behind manufacturing, utilities, transportation, energy, water, and other critical infrastructure. This episode walks through what the certification is, who it is for, what the exam is designed to test, and why OT security is different from traditional enterprise IT security. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for learners who want a clear, practical explanation without exam jargon getting in the way. You will hear how SecOT+ fits into a larger cybersecurity career path, especially for professionals who want to work where networks, control systems, safety, uptime, and physical operations all meet. The episode also explains how to think about preparation, including OT foundations, risk management, architecture, operations, monitoring, and incident response. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:48:54 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/dac5caab/b07862ff.mp3" length="36489491" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>911</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA SecOT+ (SecOT+) focuses on the cybersecurity skills needed to protect operational technology environments, including the industrial systems behind manufacturing, utilities, transportation, energy, water, and other critical infrastructure. This episode walks through what the certification is, who it is for, what the exam is designed to test, and why OT security is different from traditional enterprise IT security. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and is written for learners who want a clear, practical explanation without exam jargon getting in the way. You will hear how SecOT+ fits into a larger cybersecurity career path, especially for professionals who want to work where networks, control systems, safety, uptime, and physical operations all meet. The episode also explains how to think about preparation, including OT foundations, risk management, architecture, operations, monitoring, and incident response. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected resources, including flexible study support for busy professionals.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/dac5caab/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: ITIL Foundation Version 5 and the Modern Service Mindset</title>
      <itunes:episode>23</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>23</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: ITIL Foundation Version 5 and the Modern Service Mindset</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">5b8f2c67-390a-40aa-a769-444e5c6d66ae</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/3979edef</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[ITIL Foundation (Version 5), or ITIL 5 Foundation, is a practical starting point for understanding how modern technology work becomes organized, reliable, and valuable to the business. In this narrated version of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the certification is, who it is for, what kind of thinking the exam rewards, and why service management fluency matters for early-career IT, cybersecurity, cloud, support, and governance professionals. This episode also explains where ITIL 5 fits in a broader career path, especially for people moving from technical task work into service delivery, operations, coordination, or management. We also touch on how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy can support structured preparation through flexible certification resources, including audio-based review, guided study, and focused recall practice for busy professionals.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[ITIL Foundation (Version 5), or ITIL 5 Foundation, is a practical starting point for understanding how modern technology work becomes organized, reliable, and valuable to the business. In this narrated version of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the certification is, who it is for, what kind of thinking the exam rewards, and why service management fluency matters for early-career IT, cybersecurity, cloud, support, and governance professionals. This episode also explains where ITIL 5 fits in a broader career path, especially for people moving from technical task work into service delivery, operations, coordination, or management. We also touch on how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy can support structured preparation through flexible certification resources, including audio-based review, guided study, and focused recall practice for busy professionals.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:48:49 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/3979edef/e68a4396.mp3" length="35713138" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>891</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[ITIL Foundation (Version 5), or ITIL 5 Foundation, is a practical starting point for understanding how modern technology work becomes organized, reliable, and valuable to the business. In this narrated version of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the certification is, who it is for, what kind of thinking the exam rewards, and why service management fluency matters for early-career IT, cybersecurity, cloud, support, and governance professionals. This episode also explains where ITIL 5 fits in a broader career path, especially for people moving from technical task work into service delivery, operations, coordination, or management. We also touch on how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy can support structured preparation through flexible certification resources, including audio-based review, guided study, and focused recall practice for busy professionals.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/3979edef/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: GCCC and the Practical Side of Critical Security Controls</title>
      <itunes:episode>22</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>22</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: GCCC and the Practical Side of Critical Security Controls</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">ad3bd5dd-81e0-4f1c-9fd7-87b1b075623c</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/70d60737</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[The GIAC Critical Controls Certification (GCCC) is a practical credential for professionals who want to understand how security controls become real defensive work. In this narrated version of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the certification is, who it is built for, and why the CIS Critical Security Controls matter for security analysts, IT administrators, auditors, risk professionals, consultants, and early-career cybersecurity learners. This episode also explains what GCCC really tests, including control purpose, implementation thinking, audit awareness, and the ability to connect security tasks to measurable risk reduction. You will hear how the credential fits into a broader career path and how learners can prepare with a balanced mix of reading, review, practice, and flexible study support through the Bare Metal Cyber Academy.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[The GIAC Critical Controls Certification (GCCC) is a practical credential for professionals who want to understand how security controls become real defensive work. In this narrated version of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the certification is, who it is built for, and why the CIS Critical Security Controls matter for security analysts, IT administrators, auditors, risk professionals, consultants, and early-career cybersecurity learners. This episode also explains what GCCC really tests, including control purpose, implementation thinking, audit awareness, and the ability to connect security tasks to measurable risk reduction. You will hear how the credential fits into a broader career path and how learners can prepare with a balanced mix of reading, review, practice, and flexible study support through the Bare Metal Cyber Academy.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:48:44 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/70d60737/76ea2900.mp3" length="38813352" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>969</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[The GIAC Critical Controls Certification (GCCC) is a practical credential for professionals who want to understand how security controls become real defensive work. In this narrated version of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we walk through what the certification is, who it is built for, and why the CIS Critical Security Controls matter for security analysts, IT administrators, auditors, risk professionals, consultants, and early-career cybersecurity learners. This episode also explains what GCCC really tests, including control purpose, implementation thinking, audit awareness, and the ability to connect security tasks to measurable risk reduction. You will hear how the credential fits into a broader career path and how learners can prepare with a balanced mix of reading, review, practice, and flexible study support through the Bare Metal Cyber Academy.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/70d60737/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: AAISM and the Rise of AI Security Management</title>
      <itunes:episode>21</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>21</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: AAISM and the Rise of AI Security Management</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">65d4c4ec-499e-4eec-a959-e190cff78f5f</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/1c67ba2d</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[This narrated episode walks through ISACA Advanced in AI Security Management (AAISM) in plain English for professionals who want to understand where AI security leadership is heading. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, it explains what the credential is, who it is really for, and why it is aimed at experienced security managers rather than beginners looking for a first cybersecurity certification. The episode also breaks down what AAISM really tests, including AI governance, risk management, control oversight, vendor exposure, and incident readiness. It places the credential into a broader career path so listeners can see what usually comes before it, what kinds of roles it supports, and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy fits as the broader home for related certification resources.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[This narrated episode walks through ISACA Advanced in AI Security Management (AAISM) in plain English for professionals who want to understand where AI security leadership is heading. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, it explains what the credential is, who it is really for, and why it is aimed at experienced security managers rather than beginners looking for a first cybersecurity certification. The episode also breaks down what AAISM really tests, including AI governance, risk management, control oversight, vendor exposure, and incident readiness. It places the credential into a broader career path so listeners can see what usually comes before it, what kinds of roles it supports, and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy fits as the broader home for related certification resources.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:48:38 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/1c67ba2d/b495ca3a.mp3" length="34063233" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>850</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[This narrated episode walks through ISACA Advanced in AI Security Management (AAISM) in plain English for professionals who want to understand where AI security leadership is heading. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, it explains what the credential is, who it is really for, and why it is aimed at experienced security managers rather than beginners looking for a first cybersecurity certification. The episode also breaks down what AAISM really tests, including AI governance, risk management, control oversight, vendor exposure, and incident readiness. It places the credential into a broader career path so listeners can see what usually comes before it, what kinds of roles it supports, and how the Bare Metal Cyber Academy fits as the broader home for related certification resources.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/1c67ba2d/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Is GIAC GSTRT the Right Cyber Leadership Certification for You?</title>
      <itunes:episode>20</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>20</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Is GIAC GSTRT the Right Cyber Leadership Certification for You?</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">b733ac72-2218-469a-b445-a3c09004fd19</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/59774ccc</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[In this episode of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we take a clear look at GIAC Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership (GSTRT) and what it really represents in a cybersecurity career. This is not a certification centered on tools, commands, or deep technical execution. Instead, it focuses on the leadership side of security work, including planning, policy, communication, program direction, and the ability to connect security priorities to business needs. If you have ever wondered how security professionals grow from doing the work to helping lead the work, this episode walks through that transition in plain English. We also explore who GSTRT is really for, what the exam tends to reward, and where it fits in a larger certification path. That includes a practical discussion of how leadership-focused exams differ from technical ones, why experience matters, and how candidates can prepare without overcomplicating the process. As with the rest of this certification’s learning path, the episode fits naturally into the broader Bare Metal Cyber Academy, where the audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards work together as flexible resources for busy professionals trying to build confidence and move forward with purpose.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[In this episode of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we take a clear look at GIAC Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership (GSTRT) and what it really represents in a cybersecurity career. This is not a certification centered on tools, commands, or deep technical execution. Instead, it focuses on the leadership side of security work, including planning, policy, communication, program direction, and the ability to connect security priorities to business needs. If you have ever wondered how security professionals grow from doing the work to helping lead the work, this episode walks through that transition in plain English. We also explore who GSTRT is really for, what the exam tends to reward, and where it fits in a larger certification path. That includes a practical discussion of how leadership-focused exams differ from technical ones, why experience matters, and how candidates can prepare without overcomplicating the process. As with the rest of this certification’s learning path, the episode fits naturally into the broader Bare Metal Cyber Academy, where the audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards work together as flexible resources for busy professionals trying to build confidence and move forward with purpose.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:48:33 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/59774ccc/0e84b057.mp3" length="38010876" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>949</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[In this episode of my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, we take a clear look at GIAC Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership (GSTRT) and what it really represents in a cybersecurity career. This is not a certification centered on tools, commands, or deep technical execution. Instead, it focuses on the leadership side of security work, including planning, policy, communication, program direction, and the ability to connect security priorities to business needs. If you have ever wondered how security professionals grow from doing the work to helping lead the work, this episode walks through that transition in plain English. We also explore who GSTRT is really for, what the exam tends to reward, and where it fits in a larger certification path. That includes a practical discussion of how leadership-focused exams differ from technical ones, why experience matters, and how candidates can prepare without overcomplicating the process. As with the rest of this certification’s learning path, the episode fits naturally into the broader Bare Metal Cyber Academy, where the audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards work together as flexible resources for busy professionals trying to build confidence and move forward with purpose.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/59774ccc/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Is CompTIA SecurityX the Advanced Cybersecurity Cert Worth the Climb?</title>
      <itunes:episode>19</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>19</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Is CompTIA SecurityX the Advanced Cybersecurity Cert Worth the Climb?</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">bc518242-1c31-4328-bf2b-1ac0da4357b8</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/43975167</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through what CompTIA SecurityX (SecurityX) is, why it exists, and who it is really designed for. Rather than treating it like a beginner cert, this narration explains where it fits in the cybersecurity landscape and why it is aimed at people moving into more advanced technical roles. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the episode breaks down the certification in plain English so listeners can understand the level, the audience, and the kind of professional growth it is meant to support. It is built for anyone who wants a clearer view of where a serious hands-on cybersecurity path can lead. The episode also explores what the exam really tests, including the mix of architecture, engineering, operations, and risk thinking that makes SecurityX different from more foundational certifications. You will hear how the exam fits into a bigger career path, what kinds of jobs it can support, and why it may be a strong future target even if it is not the right next step for everyone today. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected resources around this certification, giving busy learners a more flexible way to prepare and build confidence over time.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through what CompTIA SecurityX (SecurityX) is, why it exists, and who it is really designed for. Rather than treating it like a beginner cert, this narration explains where it fits in the cybersecurity landscape and why it is aimed at people moving into more advanced technical roles. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the episode breaks down the certification in plain English so listeners can understand the level, the audience, and the kind of professional growth it is meant to support. It is built for anyone who wants a clearer view of where a serious hands-on cybersecurity path can lead. The episode also explores what the exam really tests, including the mix of architecture, engineering, operations, and risk thinking that makes SecurityX different from more foundational certifications. You will hear how the exam fits into a bigger career path, what kinds of jobs it can support, and why it may be a strong future target even if it is not the right next step for everyone today. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected resources around this certification, giving busy learners a more flexible way to prepare and build confidence over time.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:48:27 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/43975167/5c91de45.mp3" length="32034066" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>799</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through what CompTIA SecurityX (SecurityX) is, why it exists, and who it is really designed for. Rather than treating it like a beginner cert, this narration explains where it fits in the cybersecurity landscape and why it is aimed at people moving into more advanced technical roles. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the episode breaks down the certification in plain English so listeners can understand the level, the audience, and the kind of professional growth it is meant to support. It is built for anyone who wants a clearer view of where a serious hands-on cybersecurity path can lead. The episode also explores what the exam really tests, including the mix of architecture, engineering, operations, and risk thinking that makes SecurityX different from more foundational certifications. You will hear how the exam fits into a bigger career path, what kinds of jobs it can support, and why it may be a strong future target even if it is not the right next step for everyone today. The Bare Metal Cyber Academy serves as the broader home for the connected resources around this certification, giving busy learners a more flexible way to prepare and build confidence over time.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/43975167/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Is SSCP the Right Next Step for Early-Career Cyber Defenders?</title>
      <itunes:episode>18</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>18</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Is SSCP the Right Next Step for Early-Career Cyber Defenders?</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">5e7abf1d-0f72-47d2-bcfd-62217d94e3b2</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/2031ce33</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) in plain English and explain why it matters for early-career cybersecurity and IT professionals who are starting to take on real security responsibility. Based on the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, this narration looks at what SSCP is, who it is really designed for, and why it stands out as a practical certification for people working in systems administration, security operations, support, and related hands-on roles. It is built to help listeners understand where the certification fits before they decide whether it belongs in their own path. We also break down what the SSCP exam really tests, including the practical knowledge areas, operational thinking, and real-world judgment the certification is meant to validate. Along the way, the episode explains how SSCP fits into a broader career path, what kinds of jobs it can support, and where it may lead next for someone building toward larger security roles. As part of the broader Bare Metal Cyber Academy, this episode also connects naturally to the free audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards resources designed to help busy learners prepare in a flexible way.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) in plain English and explain why it matters for early-career cybersecurity and IT professionals who are starting to take on real security responsibility. Based on the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, this narration looks at what SSCP is, who it is really designed for, and why it stands out as a practical certification for people working in systems administration, security operations, support, and related hands-on roles. It is built to help listeners understand where the certification fits before they decide whether it belongs in their own path. We also break down what the SSCP exam really tests, including the practical knowledge areas, operational thinking, and real-world judgment the certification is meant to validate. Along the way, the episode explains how SSCP fits into a broader career path, what kinds of jobs it can support, and where it may lead next for someone building toward larger security roles. As part of the broader Bare Metal Cyber Academy, this episode also connects naturally to the free audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards resources designed to help busy learners prepare in a flexible way.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:48:21 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/2031ce33/fdd99e6b.mp3" length="32751903" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>817</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) in plain English and explain why it matters for early-career cybersecurity and IT professionals who are starting to take on real security responsibility. Based on the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, this narration looks at what SSCP is, who it is really designed for, and why it stands out as a practical certification for people working in systems administration, security operations, support, and related hands-on roles. It is built to help listeners understand where the certification fits before they decide whether it belongs in their own path. We also break down what the SSCP exam really tests, including the practical knowledge areas, operational thinking, and real-world judgment the certification is meant to validate. Along the way, the episode explains how SSCP fits into a broader career path, what kinds of jobs it can support, and where it may lead next for someone building toward larger security roles. As part of the broader Bare Metal Cyber Academy, this episode also connects naturally to the free audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards resources designed to help busy learners prepare in a flexible way.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/2031ce33/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: CompTIA PenTest+ Is Where Offensive Security Starts Feeling Real</title>
      <itunes:episode>17</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>17</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: CompTIA PenTest+ Is Where Offensive Security Starts Feeling Real</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">f8e936c0-f3f2-4a33-8106-8e1034db7c6f</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/81da758c</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through CompTIA PenTest+ (PenTest+) in plain English and explain what it is really designed to validate. Instead of treating it like a flashy hacking badge, we break down how it fits into real cybersecurity work, especially for people moving toward penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and hands-on security roles. You will hear who this certification is for, why it tends to fit best after some foundational technical experience, and how it can help early-career professionals build a more practical understanding of offensive security. This narration is based on the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, and it focuses on what the exam really tests, how to prepare without getting overwhelmed, and where PenTest+ fits in a broader certification path. We also connect the episode to the Bare Metal Cyber Academy as the broader home for the certification resources, including a free audio course developed by Bare Metal Cyber, a Study Guide, and Flash Cards. The goal is to give listeners a clear, beginner-friendly view of whether this certification makes sense for their next move.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through CompTIA PenTest+ (PenTest+) in plain English and explain what it is really designed to validate. Instead of treating it like a flashy hacking badge, we break down how it fits into real cybersecurity work, especially for people moving toward penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and hands-on security roles. You will hear who this certification is for, why it tends to fit best after some foundational technical experience, and how it can help early-career professionals build a more practical understanding of offensive security. This narration is based on the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, and it focuses on what the exam really tests, how to prepare without getting overwhelmed, and where PenTest+ fits in a broader certification path. We also connect the episode to the Bare Metal Cyber Academy as the broader home for the certification resources, including a free audio course developed by Bare Metal Cyber, a Study Guide, and Flash Cards. The goal is to give listeners a clear, beginner-friendly view of whether this certification makes sense for their next move.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:48:17 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/81da758c/5a9c2bc9.mp3" length="23361408" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>583</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through CompTIA PenTest+ (PenTest+) in plain English and explain what it is really designed to validate. Instead of treating it like a flashy hacking badge, we break down how it fits into real cybersecurity work, especially for people moving toward penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and hands-on security roles. You will hear who this certification is for, why it tends to fit best after some foundational technical experience, and how it can help early-career professionals build a more practical understanding of offensive security. This narration is based on the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, and it focuses on what the exam really tests, how to prepare without getting overwhelmed, and where PenTest+ fits in a broader certification path. We also connect the episode to the Bare Metal Cyber Academy as the broader home for the certification resources, including a free audio course developed by Bare Metal Cyber, a Study Guide, and Flash Cards. The goal is to give listeners a clear, beginner-friendly view of whether this certification makes sense for their next move.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/81da758c/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Is Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) the Right First Cybersecurity Credential?</title>
      <itunes:episode>16</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>16</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Is Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) the Right First Cybersecurity Credential?</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">9ee36828-66de-443e-8fb6-64e9c91ee3e4</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/72551ee7</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) as a practical starting point for people who want to build a real foundation in cybersecurity. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, this narration explains what CC is, who it is designed for, and why it has become a useful credential for early-career professionals, career-changers, students, and IT workers moving closer to security roles. You will get a clear look at the certification’s purpose, the kind of credibility it can offer at the beginning of a career, and how it fits into the broader conversation about getting started in cyber without pretending to be an advanced expert too early. You will also hear a plain-English breakdown of what the CC exam really tests, including the core domains, the kind of judgment the questions reward, and the best way to prepare without getting overwhelmed. We cover how to think about study strategy, where this certification fits in a larger path, and what kinds of roles it can help support as you move forward. The episode also connects naturally to the broader resources in the Bare Metal Cyber Academy, where the free audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards ebook work together as a flexible way to prepare and review.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) as a practical starting point for people who want to build a real foundation in cybersecurity. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, this narration explains what CC is, who it is designed for, and why it has become a useful credential for early-career professionals, career-changers, students, and IT workers moving closer to security roles. You will get a clear look at the certification’s purpose, the kind of credibility it can offer at the beginning of a career, and how it fits into the broader conversation about getting started in cyber without pretending to be an advanced expert too early. You will also hear a plain-English breakdown of what the CC exam really tests, including the core domains, the kind of judgment the questions reward, and the best way to prepare without getting overwhelmed. We cover how to think about study strategy, where this certification fits in a larger path, and what kinds of roles it can help support as you move forward. The episode also connects naturally to the broader resources in the Bare Metal Cyber Academy, where the free audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards ebook work together as a flexible way to prepare and review.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:48:12 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/72551ee7/e5fae26b.mp3" length="40747477" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>1017</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[In this episode, we walk through Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) as a practical starting point for people who want to build a real foundation in cybersecurity. Based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, this narration explains what CC is, who it is designed for, and why it has become a useful credential for early-career professionals, career-changers, students, and IT workers moving closer to security roles. You will get a clear look at the certification’s purpose, the kind of credibility it can offer at the beginning of a career, and how it fits into the broader conversation about getting started in cyber without pretending to be an advanced expert too early. You will also hear a plain-English breakdown of what the CC exam really tests, including the core domains, the kind of judgment the questions reward, and the best way to prepare without getting overwhelmed. We cover how to think about study strategy, where this certification fits in a larger path, and what kinds of roles it can help support as you move forward. The episode also connects naturally to the broader resources in the Bare Metal Cyber Academy, where the free audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards ebook work together as a flexible way to prepare and review.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/72551ee7/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Is Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) the Right First Cloud Cert?</title>
      <itunes:episode>15</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>15</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Is Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) the Right First Cloud Cert?</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">50d888e5-f3d2-4db7-a1f5-b742747a6dce</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/8bcd93a6</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) in plain English, focusing on what the certification actually represents and why it matters for early-career IT and cybersecurity professionals. As part of the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion breaks down how AZ-900 helps you understand cloud concepts, Azure services, and the bigger picture of how modern infrastructure is built and managed. If you’ve heard the term “cloud” everywhere but haven’t had a structured way to make sense of it, this episode gives you that starting point. You’ll also hear what the exam really tests, how to approach studying without overcomplicating it, and where AZ-900 fits in a broader career path. The goal is not just to help you pass the exam, but to help you understand how Azure connects to real roles and decisions in IT and cybersecurity. The episode also connects naturally to the Bare Metal Cyber Academy, where the free audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards ebook come together to support a flexible, practical way to prepare.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) in plain English, focusing on what the certification actually represents and why it matters for early-career IT and cybersecurity professionals. As part of the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion breaks down how AZ-900 helps you understand cloud concepts, Azure services, and the bigger picture of how modern infrastructure is built and managed. If you’ve heard the term “cloud” everywhere but haven’t had a structured way to make sense of it, this episode gives you that starting point. You’ll also hear what the exam really tests, how to approach studying without overcomplicating it, and where AZ-900 fits in a broader career path. The goal is not just to help you pass the exam, but to help you understand how Azure connects to real roles and decisions in IT and cybersecurity. The episode also connects naturally to the Bare Metal Cyber Academy, where the free audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards ebook come together to support a flexible, practical way to prepare.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:48:06 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/8bcd93a6/6ae5cbb9.mp3" length="34476002" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>860</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) in plain English, focusing on what the certification actually represents and why it matters for early-career IT and cybersecurity professionals. As part of the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, the discussion breaks down how AZ-900 helps you understand cloud concepts, Azure services, and the bigger picture of how modern infrastructure is built and managed. If you’ve heard the term “cloud” everywhere but haven’t had a structured way to make sense of it, this episode gives you that starting point. You’ll also hear what the exam really tests, how to approach studying without overcomplicating it, and where AZ-900 fits in a broader career path. The goal is not just to help you pass the exam, but to help you understand how Azure connects to real roles and decisions in IT and cybersecurity. The episode also connects naturally to the Bare Metal Cyber Academy, where the free audio course, Study Guide, and Flash Cards ebook come together to support a flexible, practical way to prepare.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/8bcd93a6/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Turning Privacy Law into Career Momentum with the CIPP</title>
      <itunes:episode>14</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>14</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Turning Privacy Law into Career Momentum with the CIPP</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">96b34a06-79ac-4919-be7c-ee640695a357</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/88a5d007</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through the Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP), a leading certification for people who live at the intersection of privacy, security, law, and business. You will hear what CIPP actually covers, who it is designed for, and how the exam tests your ability to connect legal requirements to real-world data practices. The narration follows the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, reworked into clear, conversational audio so you can absorb the ideas even if you are new to privacy as a discipline. You will also hear how CIPP fits into a broader career path, from early privacy analyst roles to more advanced GRC and advisory positions. The episode explains what the exam really emphasizes, how it differs from pure memorization, and why hiring managers care about this credential in regulated industries. If you want to go deeper, there is a full audio course on this certification inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy, giving you a structured way to keep learning well beyond this single episode.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through the Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP), a leading certification for people who live at the intersection of privacy, security, law, and business. You will hear what CIPP actually covers, who it is designed for, and how the exam tests your ability to connect legal requirements to real-world data practices. The narration follows the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, reworked into clear, conversational audio so you can absorb the ideas even if you are new to privacy as a discipline. You will also hear how CIPP fits into a broader career path, from early privacy analyst roles to more advanced GRC and advisory positions. The episode explains what the exam really emphasizes, how it differs from pure memorization, and why hiring managers care about this credential in regulated industries. If you want to go deeper, there is a full audio course on this certification inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy, giving you a structured way to keep learning well beyond this single episode.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:48:02 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/88a5d007/3f4e2750.mp3" length="29025790" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>724</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through the Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP), a leading certification for people who live at the intersection of privacy, security, law, and business. You will hear what CIPP actually covers, who it is designed for, and how the exam tests your ability to connect legal requirements to real-world data practices. The narration follows the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, reworked into clear, conversational audio so you can absorb the ideas even if you are new to privacy as a discipline. You will also hear how CIPP fits into a broader career path, from early privacy analyst roles to more advanced GRC and advisory positions. The episode explains what the exam really emphasizes, how it differs from pure memorization, and why hiring managers care about this credential in regulated industries. If you want to go deeper, there is a full audio course on this certification inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy, giving you a structured way to keep learning well beyond this single episode.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/88a5d007/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Cloud Confidence with the CCSP Credential</title>
      <itunes:episode>13</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>13</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Cloud Confidence with the CCSP Credential</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">898ae967-580a-456b-805d-f1310445320c</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/de2b58a8</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[This narrated episode walks you through the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) in clear, practical language geared toward working professionals. You’ll hear how CCSP defines cloud security at an advanced level, who it is really for, and why it matters once your environment moves beyond simple lift-and-shift projects. We explore how the certification helps you connect architecture, risk, governance, and day-to-day operations so you can be the person in the room who understands both cloud platforms and real security tradeoffs. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine. From there, the episode breaks down what the CCSP exam actually tests, the types of scenarios you can expect, and how this certification fits into a broader path that includes platform-specific cloud credentials and future leadership opportunities. The goal is to give you a calm, confidence-building walkthrough rather than a firehose of jargon. If you want to go deeper, you can follow up this overview with the full CCSP audio course inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy, where each domain and study phase gets its own focused treatment.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[This narrated episode walks you through the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) in clear, practical language geared toward working professionals. You’ll hear how CCSP defines cloud security at an advanced level, who it is really for, and why it matters once your environment moves beyond simple lift-and-shift projects. We explore how the certification helps you connect architecture, risk, governance, and day-to-day operations so you can be the person in the room who understands both cloud platforms and real security tradeoffs. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine. From there, the episode breaks down what the CCSP exam actually tests, the types of scenarios you can expect, and how this certification fits into a broader path that includes platform-specific cloud credentials and future leadership opportunities. The goal is to give you a calm, confidence-building walkthrough rather than a firehose of jargon. If you want to go deeper, you can follow up this overview with the full CCSP audio course inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy, where each domain and study phase gets its own focused treatment.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:47:57 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/de2b58a8/db758f05.mp3" length="28322560" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>707</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[This narrated episode walks you through the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) in clear, practical language geared toward working professionals. You’ll hear how CCSP defines cloud security at an advanced level, who it is really for, and why it matters once your environment moves beyond simple lift-and-shift projects. We explore how the certification helps you connect architecture, risk, governance, and day-to-day operations so you can be the person in the room who understands both cloud platforms and real security tradeoffs. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine. From there, the episode breaks down what the CCSP exam actually tests, the types of scenarios you can expect, and how this certification fits into a broader path that includes platform-specific cloud credentials and future leadership opportunities. The goal is to give you a calm, confidence-building walkthrough rather than a firehose of jargon. If you want to go deeper, you can follow up this overview with the full CCSP audio course inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy, where each domain and study phase gets its own focused treatment.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/de2b58a8/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Making Project Management Professional Work for Your Career</title>
      <itunes:episode>12</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>12</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Making Project Management Professional Work for Your Career</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">bb045fca-3477-48d6-8e5d-d101ada36661</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/fbdbdbe2</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[This narrated edition walks you through the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the perspective of people already living in IT and cybersecurity projects. You will hear what PMP really is, how it turns everyday project chaos into structured delivery, and why so many job descriptions still call it out by name. We will connect the concepts to familiar situations like migrations, security rollouts, and cross-team initiatives, so the ideas feel less abstract and more like the work you already see around you. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, adapted for clear, easy listening. Across this episode, you will explore what the exam actually tests, how it thinks about people, process, and business outcomes, and where PMP fits in a bigger career path. We will talk about who this certification is really for, how it pairs with technical and security credentials, and when it makes sense to invest your time and money. You will also get a simple picture of what effective preparation looks like, with an emphasis on scenario thinking over pure memorization. If you want to go even deeper, there is a full audio course on PMP inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[This narrated edition walks you through the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the perspective of people already living in IT and cybersecurity projects. You will hear what PMP really is, how it turns everyday project chaos into structured delivery, and why so many job descriptions still call it out by name. We will connect the concepts to familiar situations like migrations, security rollouts, and cross-team initiatives, so the ideas feel less abstract and more like the work you already see around you. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, adapted for clear, easy listening. Across this episode, you will explore what the exam actually tests, how it thinks about people, process, and business outcomes, and where PMP fits in a bigger career path. We will talk about who this certification is really for, how it pairs with technical and security credentials, and when it makes sense to invest your time and money. You will also get a simple picture of what effective preparation looks like, with an emphasis on scenario thinking over pure memorization. If you want to go even deeper, there is a full audio course on PMP inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:47:53 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/fbdbdbe2/77735053.mp3" length="30412374" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>759</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[This narrated edition walks you through the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the perspective of people already living in IT and cybersecurity projects. You will hear what PMP really is, how it turns everyday project chaos into structured delivery, and why so many job descriptions still call it out by name. We will connect the concepts to familiar situations like migrations, security rollouts, and cross-team initiatives, so the ideas feel less abstract and more like the work you already see around you. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, adapted for clear, easy listening. Across this episode, you will explore what the exam actually tests, how it thinks about people, process, and business outcomes, and where PMP fits in a bigger career path. We will talk about who this certification is really for, how it pairs with technical and security credentials, and when it makes sense to invest your time and money. You will also get a simple picture of what effective preparation looks like, with an emphasis on scenario thinking over pure memorization. If you want to go even deeper, there is a full audio course on PMP inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/fbdbdbe2/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Your First Step into Tech with CompTIA Tech+</title>
      <itunes:episode>11</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>11</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Your First Step into Tech with CompTIA Tech+</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">12dc0684-fcd2-4e93-9cb8-05397ab0b2a8</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/708b89f3</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[The narrated version of our Monday “Certified” feature walks you through CompTIA Tech+ (Tech+) in simple, practical language. You will hear what Tech+ actually is, how it differs from heavier technical certifications, and why it is such a good fit for tech-curious beginners and early-career professionals. We explore who this certification is designed for, the kinds of real-world situations it expects you to understand, and how it helps you turn everyday experience with devices, apps, and cloud tools into solid digital fundamentals. The tone stays calm, friendly, and focused on helping you feel less overwhelmed and more confident. You will also get a clear sense of what the Tech+ exam really tests, how it connects to later steps like CompTIA A+ and security or cloud paths, and where it can fit in a realistic early-career roadmap. The narration is based on the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, so you get the same structure, examples, and guidance in an audio-friendly format. If you want to go deeper, you can continue your journey with the dedicated Tech+ audio course inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy, designed to fit into your commute, walks, or gym time.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[The narrated version of our Monday “Certified” feature walks you through CompTIA Tech+ (Tech+) in simple, practical language. You will hear what Tech+ actually is, how it differs from heavier technical certifications, and why it is such a good fit for tech-curious beginners and early-career professionals. We explore who this certification is designed for, the kinds of real-world situations it expects you to understand, and how it helps you turn everyday experience with devices, apps, and cloud tools into solid digital fundamentals. The tone stays calm, friendly, and focused on helping you feel less overwhelmed and more confident. You will also get a clear sense of what the Tech+ exam really tests, how it connects to later steps like CompTIA A+ and security or cloud paths, and where it can fit in a realistic early-career roadmap. The narration is based on the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, so you get the same structure, examples, and guidance in an audio-friendly format. If you want to go deeper, you can continue your journey with the dedicated Tech+ audio course inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy, designed to fit into your commute, walks, or gym time.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:47:48 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/708b89f3/c78bff8b.mp3" length="27255722" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>680</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[The narrated version of our Monday “Certified” feature walks you through CompTIA Tech+ (Tech+) in simple, practical language. You will hear what Tech+ actually is, how it differs from heavier technical certifications, and why it is such a good fit for tech-curious beginners and early-career professionals. We explore who this certification is designed for, the kinds of real-world situations it expects you to understand, and how it helps you turn everyday experience with devices, apps, and cloud tools into solid digital fundamentals. The tone stays calm, friendly, and focused on helping you feel less overwhelmed and more confident. You will also get a clear sense of what the Tech+ exam really tests, how it connects to later steps like CompTIA A+ and security or cloud paths, and where it can fit in a realistic early-career roadmap. The narration is based on the Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, so you get the same structure, examples, and guidance in an audio-friendly format. If you want to go deeper, you can continue your journey with the dedicated Tech+ audio course inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy, designed to fit into your commute, walks, or gym time.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/708b89f3/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Launching Your Project Management Journey with CompTIA Project+</title>
      <itunes:episode>10</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>10</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Launching Your Project Management Journey with CompTIA Project+</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">d1205822-0f63-47fa-a523-7a18936e94c4</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/5492addf</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through CompTIA Project+ (Project+) as a practical first step into project leadership for early-career IT and cybersecurity professionals. You will hear what the certification actually covers, who it is designed for, and how it helps you move from “just doing tasks” to guiding real projects with scope, timelines, risks, and stakeholders. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and keeps the focus on clear, real-world language instead of heavy jargon or rigid frameworks. You will also get a grounded look at what the exam really tests, how it feels in terms of scenarios and decision-making, and where Project+ fits in a broader career and certification path. That includes how hiring managers tend to view it, why it pairs well with technical certifications, and when it makes sense to pursue more advanced project credentials. If you want to go deeper, there is a full audio course for CompTIA Project+ inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy that expands on these ideas and supports a more structured study plan.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through CompTIA Project+ (Project+) as a practical first step into project leadership for early-career IT and cybersecurity professionals. You will hear what the certification actually covers, who it is designed for, and how it helps you move from “just doing tasks” to guiding real projects with scope, timelines, risks, and stakeholders. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and keeps the focus on clear, real-world language instead of heavy jargon or rigid frameworks. You will also get a grounded look at what the exam really tests, how it feels in terms of scenarios and decision-making, and where Project+ fits in a broader career and certification path. That includes how hiring managers tend to view it, why it pairs well with technical certifications, and when it makes sense to pursue more advanced project credentials. If you want to go deeper, there is a full audio course for CompTIA Project+ inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy that expands on these ideas and supports a more structured study plan.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:47:44 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/5492addf/90aecb58.mp3" length="27530550" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>687</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through CompTIA Project+ (Project+) as a practical first step into project leadership for early-career IT and cybersecurity professionals. You will hear what the certification actually covers, who it is designed for, and how it helps you move from “just doing tasks” to guiding real projects with scope, timelines, risks, and stakeholders. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine and keeps the focus on clear, real-world language instead of heavy jargon or rigid frameworks. You will also get a grounded look at what the exam really tests, how it feels in terms of scenarios and decision-making, and where Project+ fits in a broader career and certification path. That includes how hiring managers tend to view it, why it pairs well with technical certifications, and when it makes sense to pursue more advanced project credentials. If you want to go deeper, there is a full audio course for CompTIA Project+ inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy that expands on these ideas and supports a more structured study plan.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/5492addf/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Hands-On Server Confidence with CompTIA Server+</title>
      <itunes:episode>9</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>9</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Hands-On Server Confidence with CompTIA Server+</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">f0e947a2-494a-47bd-bc60-0b1e1a41b86d</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/cdab202d</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[This narrated edition of our Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine walks you through CompTIA Server+ (Server+) in clear, practical language. You’ll hear what the certification is designed to prove, who it’s really for, and how it fits between entry-level support work and more advanced infrastructure roles. Along the way, we connect the dots between physical hardware, virtualization, storage, networking, and troubleshooting so you can picture the environments Server+ expects you to understand. In this episode, we also break down what the Server+ exam really tests, how the questions feel, and how the credential fits into a bigger career path that might include security, cloud, or platform-specific certifications. If you want to go beyond a single walkthrough, you can dive into the full audio course for Server+ inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy for deeper, step-by-step exam prep.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[This narrated edition of our Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine walks you through CompTIA Server+ (Server+) in clear, practical language. You’ll hear what the certification is designed to prove, who it’s really for, and how it fits between entry-level support work and more advanced infrastructure roles. Along the way, we connect the dots between physical hardware, virtualization, storage, networking, and troubleshooting so you can picture the environments Server+ expects you to understand. In this episode, we also break down what the Server+ exam really tests, how the questions feel, and how the credential fits into a bigger career path that might include security, cloud, or platform-specific certifications. If you want to go beyond a single walkthrough, you can dive into the full audio course for Server+ inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy for deeper, step-by-step exam prep.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:47:39 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/cdab202d/db7a0862.mp3" length="29670484" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>740</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[This narrated edition of our Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine walks you through CompTIA Server+ (Server+) in clear, practical language. You’ll hear what the certification is designed to prove, who it’s really for, and how it fits between entry-level support work and more advanced infrastructure roles. Along the way, we connect the dots between physical hardware, virtualization, storage, networking, and troubleshooting so you can picture the environments Server+ expects you to understand. In this episode, we also break down what the Server+ exam really tests, how the questions feel, and how the credential fits into a bigger career path that might include security, cloud, or platform-specific certifications. If you want to go beyond a single walkthrough, you can dive into the full audio course for Server+ inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy for deeper, step-by-step exam prep.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/cdab202d/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: How CompTIA Cloud+ Builds Real-World Cloud Confidence</title>
      <itunes:episode>7</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>7</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: How CompTIA Cloud+ Builds Real-World Cloud Confidence</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">8be45fc9-09e1-4604-827b-1d5023805d56</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/8ac8042d</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA Cloud+ (Cloud+) is built for people who already know their way around servers, networks, and virtualization, and are now being asked to make it all work in the cloud. In this episode, we walk through what Cloud+ really covers, who benefits most from it, and how it helps you handle real hybrid and multi-cloud environments instead of just one vendor’s platform. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, so you get the same structured breakdown in an easy, listenable format. You will hear how the exam is organized, what kinds of scenarios and decisions it emphasizes, and why it rewards applied understanding more than pure memorization. We also explore how Cloud+ fits into a broader certification path, how hiring managers tend to read it on a résumé, and where it can open doors in infrastructure and cloud engineering roles. If you want to go deeper after this episode, you can keep building your skills with the full Cloud+ audio course inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA Cloud+ (Cloud+) is built for people who already know their way around servers, networks, and virtualization, and are now being asked to make it all work in the cloud. In this episode, we walk through what Cloud+ really covers, who benefits most from it, and how it helps you handle real hybrid and multi-cloud environments instead of just one vendor’s platform. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, so you get the same structured breakdown in an easy, listenable format. You will hear how the exam is organized, what kinds of scenarios and decisions it emphasizes, and why it rewards applied understanding more than pure memorization. We also explore how Cloud+ fits into a broader certification path, how hiring managers tend to read it on a résumé, and where it can open doors in infrastructure and cloud engineering roles. If you want to go deeper after this episode, you can keep building your skills with the full Cloud+ audio course inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:47:35 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/8ac8042d/b1e0bb0c.mp3" length="33800971" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>844</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA Cloud+ (Cloud+) is built for people who already know their way around servers, networks, and virtualization, and are now being asked to make it all work in the cloud. In this episode, we walk through what Cloud+ really covers, who benefits most from it, and how it helps you handle real hybrid and multi-cloud environments instead of just one vendor’s platform. The narration is based on my Monday “Certified” feature from Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, so you get the same structured breakdown in an easy, listenable format. You will hear how the exam is organized, what kinds of scenarios and decisions it emphasizes, and why it rewards applied understanding more than pure memorization. We also explore how Cloud+ fits into a broader certification path, how hiring managers tend to read it on a résumé, and where it can open doors in infrastructure and cloud engineering roles. If you want to go deeper after this episode, you can keep building your skills with the full Cloud+ audio course inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/8ac8042d/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC): A Hands-On Baseline for Early-Career Defenders</title>
      <itunes:episode>6</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>6</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC): A Hands-On Baseline for Early-Career Defenders</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">3e091f78-cf01-463b-b60d-50f938daec94</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/6c0f103a</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[The GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) narrated episode walks you through what this certification really is, who it serves, and why it sits in that sweet spot between basic awareness and deep specialization. You’ll hear a clear breakdown of how GSEC treats security as a practical, hands-on discipline: reading logs, understanding network behavior, and recognizing the early signs that something is wrong. The episode is based on my Monday “Certified” feature in Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, so the structure matches what you’d see in the written breakdown while staying friendly for listeners who are newer to the field. From there, the narration explores what the GSEC exam actually tests, the kinds of scenarios you can expect, and how this certification fits into a bigger career path across roles like SOC analyst, security engineer, or security-focused sysadmin. You’ll also hear guidance on how to think about your own starting point, whether you are coming from help desk, general IT, or a career change into cyber. To go deeper, you can pair this episode with the full audio course for GSEC inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy, which is built to support focused exam preparation over time.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[The GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) narrated episode walks you through what this certification really is, who it serves, and why it sits in that sweet spot between basic awareness and deep specialization. You’ll hear a clear breakdown of how GSEC treats security as a practical, hands-on discipline: reading logs, understanding network behavior, and recognizing the early signs that something is wrong. The episode is based on my Monday “Certified” feature in Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, so the structure matches what you’d see in the written breakdown while staying friendly for listeners who are newer to the field. From there, the narration explores what the GSEC exam actually tests, the kinds of scenarios you can expect, and how this certification fits into a bigger career path across roles like SOC analyst, security engineer, or security-focused sysadmin. You’ll also hear guidance on how to think about your own starting point, whether you are coming from help desk, general IT, or a career change into cyber. To go deeper, you can pair this episode with the full audio course for GSEC inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy, which is built to support focused exam preparation over time.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:47:30 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/6c0f103a/39421084.mp3" length="27326809" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>682</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[The GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) narrated episode walks you through what this certification really is, who it serves, and why it sits in that sweet spot between basic awareness and deep specialization. You’ll hear a clear breakdown of how GSEC treats security as a practical, hands-on discipline: reading logs, understanding network behavior, and recognizing the early signs that something is wrong. The episode is based on my Monday “Certified” feature in Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, so the structure matches what you’d see in the written breakdown while staying friendly for listeners who are newer to the field. From there, the narration explores what the GSEC exam actually tests, the kinds of scenarios you can expect, and how this certification fits into a bigger career path across roles like SOC analyst, security engineer, or security-focused sysadmin. You’ll also hear guidance on how to think about your own starting point, whether you are coming from help desk, general IT, or a career change into cyber. To go deeper, you can pair this episode with the full audio course for GSEC inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy, which is built to support focused exam preparation over time.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/6c0f103a/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: CompTIA A+ as Your First Real Checkpoint in IT and Cybersecurity</title>
      <itunes:episode>5</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>5</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: CompTIA A+ as Your First Real Checkpoint in IT and Cybersecurity</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">e94dfddb-c96f-4476-8196-49182ff468dd</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/20d219c1</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA A+ is where an interest in tech turns into real-world IT support skills that employers can see and trust. In this Monday “Certified” episode developed by Bare Metal Cyber, we break down how A+ proves you can handle everyday devices, operating systems, and networks when real users are stuck and the clock is ticking. You’ll hear how the two Core exams map to the work of help desk and desktop support, why performance-based questions matter so much, and how solid troubleshooting habits set you up for roles in both IT operations and entry-level cybersecurity. Whether you’re aiming for your first help desk job, pivoting into tech from another field, or laying the groundwork for future security certifications, this walkthrough gives you a clear picture of what A+ really tests and how it fits into a longer career path. Tune in to turn “good with computers” into a credentialed, job-ready story.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA A+ is where an interest in tech turns into real-world IT support skills that employers can see and trust. In this Monday “Certified” episode developed by Bare Metal Cyber, we break down how A+ proves you can handle everyday devices, operating systems, and networks when real users are stuck and the clock is ticking. You’ll hear how the two Core exams map to the work of help desk and desktop support, why performance-based questions matter so much, and how solid troubleshooting habits set you up for roles in both IT operations and entry-level cybersecurity. Whether you’re aiming for your first help desk job, pivoting into tech from another field, or laying the groundwork for future security certifications, this walkthrough gives you a clear picture of what A+ really tests and how it fits into a longer career path. Tune in to turn “good with computers” into a credentialed, job-ready story.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:47:25 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/20d219c1/b81a511c.mp3" length="22758501" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>568</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[CompTIA A+ is where an interest in tech turns into real-world IT support skills that employers can see and trust. In this Monday “Certified” episode developed by Bare Metal Cyber, we break down how A+ proves you can handle everyday devices, operating systems, and networks when real users are stuck and the clock is ticking. You’ll hear how the two Core exams map to the work of help desk and desktop support, why performance-based questions matter so much, and how solid troubleshooting habits set you up for roles in both IT operations and entry-level cybersecurity. Whether you’re aiming for your first help desk job, pivoting into tech from another field, or laying the groundwork for future security certifications, this walkthrough gives you a clear picture of what A+ really tests and how it fits into a longer career path. Tune in to turn “good with computers” into a credentialed, job-ready story.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/20d219c1/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: CompTIA Network+ – The Early-Career Guide to Real-World Networking</title>
      <itunes:episode>4</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>4</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: CompTIA Network+ – The Early-Career Guide to Real-World Networking</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">8fba157a-8f7a-4206-9e80-401f4f9fa2b1</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/c4c99f5e</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[This episode takes you inside the CompTIA Network+ (Network+) certification from an early-career point of view, focusing on what the credential actually means for people who live in and around day-to-day IT work. You will hear a clear walkthrough of what Network+ covers, the kinds of environments it is built for, and how it helps you move from basic support tasks toward understanding real infrastructure. We unpack what the exam really tests, how the domains translate into everyday scenarios, and the type of thinking that leads to better answers when you are faced with incomplete or confusing network symptoms. The narration is drawn from my Monday “Certified” feature in Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, so you are getting a structured, article-quality tour in audio form. You will also hear how Network+ can shape your long-term roadmap, whether you want to become a network engineer, a systems administrator, or a cybersecurity professional who needs strong network fundamentals. We talk about where the certification usually fits in a broader path, how hiring managers tend to view it, and why combining it with hands-on practice is so powerful. Along the way, you will get practical guidance on building a simple, sustainable study plan and using everyday troubleshooting as prep. If you want to go beyond this overview, there is a full audio course for Network+ inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy that lets you keep learning during commutes, workouts, or any time you are away from the keyboard.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[This episode takes you inside the CompTIA Network+ (Network+) certification from an early-career point of view, focusing on what the credential actually means for people who live in and around day-to-day IT work. You will hear a clear walkthrough of what Network+ covers, the kinds of environments it is built for, and how it helps you move from basic support tasks toward understanding real infrastructure. We unpack what the exam really tests, how the domains translate into everyday scenarios, and the type of thinking that leads to better answers when you are faced with incomplete or confusing network symptoms. The narration is drawn from my Monday “Certified” feature in Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, so you are getting a structured, article-quality tour in audio form. You will also hear how Network+ can shape your long-term roadmap, whether you want to become a network engineer, a systems administrator, or a cybersecurity professional who needs strong network fundamentals. We talk about where the certification usually fits in a broader path, how hiring managers tend to view it, and why combining it with hands-on practice is so powerful. Along the way, you will get practical guidance on building a simple, sustainable study plan and using everyday troubleshooting as prep. If you want to go beyond this overview, there is a full audio course for Network+ inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy that lets you keep learning during commutes, workouts, or any time you are away from the keyboard.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:47:21 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/c4c99f5e/e77d2d38.mp3" length="34285896" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>856</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[This episode takes you inside the CompTIA Network+ (Network+) certification from an early-career point of view, focusing on what the credential actually means for people who live in and around day-to-day IT work. You will hear a clear walkthrough of what Network+ covers, the kinds of environments it is built for, and how it helps you move from basic support tasks toward understanding real infrastructure. We unpack what the exam really tests, how the domains translate into everyday scenarios, and the type of thinking that leads to better answers when you are faced with incomplete or confusing network symptoms. The narration is drawn from my Monday “Certified” feature in Bare Metal Cyber Magazine, so you are getting a structured, article-quality tour in audio form. You will also hear how Network+ can shape your long-term roadmap, whether you want to become a network engineer, a systems administrator, or a cybersecurity professional who needs strong network fundamentals. We talk about where the certification usually fits in a broader path, how hiring managers tend to view it, and why combining it with hands-on practice is so powerful. Along the way, you will get practical guidance on building a simple, sustainable study plan and using everyday troubleshooting as prep. If you want to go beyond this overview, there is a full audio course for Network+ inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy that lets you keep learning during commutes, workouts, or any time you are away from the keyboard.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/c4c99f5e/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Speaking Cloud with AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner</title>
      <itunes:episode>3</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>3</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Speaking Cloud with AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">53447e67-71df-46bd-852d-071bc8e432f1</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/e87c899d</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[When you see “AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner” on a resume, what does it really tell you about that person’s cloud skills? In this Monday “Certified” episode, we unpack the CCP as Amazon’s foundational cloud credential and look at what it actually proves for early-career tech and security professionals, as well as career changers trying to break into cloud. You’ll hear how CCP fits into the bigger AWS certification ladder, where its limits are, and why it has become a common gateway into cloud roles. We also walk through what the exam really tests: high-level cloud concepts, core AWS services, shared responsibility for security, and how pricing and billing work in the real world. Along the way, you’ll get a practical study roadmap that fits around a full-time job, plus tips for using hands-on labs and practice questions without burning out. If cloud is on your roadmap and you want a structured, honest starting point, this conversation will help you decide whether CCP is worth your time and how to get the most value from it.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[When you see “AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner” on a resume, what does it really tell you about that person’s cloud skills? In this Monday “Certified” episode, we unpack the CCP as Amazon’s foundational cloud credential and look at what it actually proves for early-career tech and security professionals, as well as career changers trying to break into cloud. You’ll hear how CCP fits into the bigger AWS certification ladder, where its limits are, and why it has become a common gateway into cloud roles. We also walk through what the exam really tests: high-level cloud concepts, core AWS services, shared responsibility for security, and how pricing and billing work in the real world. Along the way, you’ll get a practical study roadmap that fits around a full-time job, plus tips for using hands-on labs and practice questions without burning out. If cloud is on your roadmap and you want a structured, honest starting point, this conversation will help you decide whether CCP is worth your time and how to get the most value from it.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:47:16 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/e87c899d/98c49b8b.mp3" length="27038391" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>675</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[When you see “AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner” on a resume, what does it really tell you about that person’s cloud skills? In this Monday “Certified” episode, we unpack the CCP as Amazon’s foundational cloud credential and look at what it actually proves for early-career tech and security professionals, as well as career changers trying to break into cloud. You’ll hear how CCP fits into the bigger AWS certification ladder, where its limits are, and why it has become a common gateway into cloud roles. We also walk through what the exam really tests: high-level cloud concepts, core AWS services, shared responsibility for security, and how pricing and billing work in the real world. Along the way, you’ll get a practical study roadmap that fits around a full-time job, plus tips for using hands-on labs and practice questions without burning out. If cloud is on your roadmap and you want a structured, honest starting point, this conversation will help you decide whether CCP is worth your time and how to get the most value from it.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/e87c899d/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: CRISC at the Intersection of Cyber Risk and Business Decisions</title>
      <itunes:episode>2</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>2</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: CRISC at the Intersection of Cyber Risk and Business Decisions</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">89d16d6e-f6e6-414e-aed9-422154a9be38</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/23e25e9c</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[Risk is where business decisions collide with real technology limits, and ISACA’s Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) sits right in that intersection. In this Certified Monday episode from Bare Metal Cyber, we break CRISC down for early-career security, audit, IT, and GRC professionals who want to move beyond tickets and tools and into risk conversations that actually shape what the business does next. You’ll hear what CRISC holders really do day to day, how the four domains link governance, risk assessment, response, and technology, and why this certification pairs so well with technical and audit-focused credentials. We also walk through exam structure, realistic difficulty, and a practical way to prepare so the question bank feels like a structured review of scenarios you already recognize from work, not a pile of disconnected trivia. If you are starting to touch risk registers, control testing, or audit support and you want a clearer roadmap into risk and information systems control, this episode gives you the language, context, and next steps to make CRISC a smart move in your career. Developed by Bare Metal Cyber.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[Risk is where business decisions collide with real technology limits, and ISACA’s Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) sits right in that intersection. In this Certified Monday episode from Bare Metal Cyber, we break CRISC down for early-career security, audit, IT, and GRC professionals who want to move beyond tickets and tools and into risk conversations that actually shape what the business does next. You’ll hear what CRISC holders really do day to day, how the four domains link governance, risk assessment, response, and technology, and why this certification pairs so well with technical and audit-focused credentials. We also walk through exam structure, realistic difficulty, and a practical way to prepare so the question bank feels like a structured review of scenarios you already recognize from work, not a pile of disconnected trivia. If you are starting to touch risk registers, control testing, or audit support and you want a clearer roadmap into risk and information systems control, this episode gives you the language, context, and next steps to make CRISC a smart move in your career. Developed by Bare Metal Cyber.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:47:11 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/23e25e9c/3d752a2d.mp3" length="29506450" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>736</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[Risk is where business decisions collide with real technology limits, and ISACA’s Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) sits right in that intersection. In this Certified Monday episode from Bare Metal Cyber, we break CRISC down for early-career security, audit, IT, and GRC professionals who want to move beyond tickets and tools and into risk conversations that actually shape what the business does next. You’ll hear what CRISC holders really do day to day, how the four domains link governance, risk assessment, response, and technology, and why this certification pairs so well with technical and audit-focused credentials. We also walk through exam structure, realistic difficulty, and a practical way to prepare so the question bank feels like a structured review of scenarios you already recognize from work, not a pile of disconnected trivia. If you are starting to touch risk registers, control testing, or audit support and you want a clearer roadmap into risk and information systems control, this episode gives you the language, context, and next steps to make CRISC a smart move in your career. Developed by Bare Metal Cyber.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/23e25e9c/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Certified: Building Your Analyst Mindset with CompTIA CySA+</title>
      <itunes:episode>1</itunes:episode>
      <podcast:episode>1</podcast:episode>
      <itunes:title>Certified: Building Your Analyst Mindset with CompTIA CySA+</itunes:title>
      <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">d225bfd9-2414-423e-a2f0-23b35ae27a94</guid>
      <link>https://share.transistor.fm/s/8f317fe7</link>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification in clear, practical terms for early-career defenders. You will hear what CySA+ actually is, who it is built for, and how it turns scattered experience with alerts and logs into a more deliberate analyst mindset. We dig into the exam’s real focus on threat detection, vulnerability management, and incident response, drawing on the same structure as my Monday “Certified” feature in Bare Metal Cyber Magazine so the ideas build step by step without jargon getting in the way. You will also hear how CySA+ fits into a broader career path, whether you are coming from Security+, general IT, or a help desk role that is drifting toward security operations. Along the way, the narration highlights how hiring managers tend to read CySA+ on a resume, common misconceptions about the exam, and simple strategies for building confidence with scenarios and performance-based questions. If you want to go deeper, you can expand this overview with the full audio course for CySA+ inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy.]]>
      </description>
      <content:encoded>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification in clear, practical terms for early-career defenders. You will hear what CySA+ actually is, who it is built for, and how it turns scattered experience with alerts and logs into a more deliberate analyst mindset. We dig into the exam’s real focus on threat detection, vulnerability management, and incident response, drawing on the same structure as my Monday “Certified” feature in Bare Metal Cyber Magazine so the ideas build step by step without jargon getting in the way. You will also hear how CySA+ fits into a broader career path, whether you are coming from Security+, general IT, or a help desk role that is drifting toward security operations. Along the way, the narration highlights how hiring managers tend to read CySA+ on a resume, common misconceptions about the exam, and simple strategies for building confidence with scenarios and performance-based questions. If you want to go deeper, you can expand this overview with the full audio course for CySA+ inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy.]]>
      </content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:46:43 -0500</pubDate>
      <author>Dr Jason Edwards</author>
      <enclosure url="https://media.transistor.fm/8f317fe7/0821f7d4.mp3" length="24096999" type="audio/mpeg"/>
      <itunes:author>Dr Jason Edwards</itunes:author>
      <itunes:duration>601</itunes:duration>
      <itunes:summary>
        <![CDATA[This episode walks through the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification in clear, practical terms for early-career defenders. You will hear what CySA+ actually is, who it is built for, and how it turns scattered experience with alerts and logs into a more deliberate analyst mindset. We dig into the exam’s real focus on threat detection, vulnerability management, and incident response, drawing on the same structure as my Monday “Certified” feature in Bare Metal Cyber Magazine so the ideas build step by step without jargon getting in the way. You will also hear how CySA+ fits into a broader career path, whether you are coming from Security+, general IT, or a help desk role that is drifting toward security operations. Along the way, the narration highlights how hiring managers tend to read CySA+ on a resume, common misconceptions about the exam, and simple strategies for building confidence with scenarios and performance-based questions. If you want to go deeper, you can expand this overview with the full audio course for CySA+ inside the Bare Metal Cyber Audio Academy.]]>
      </itunes:summary>
      <itunes:keywords>cybersecurity certifications, cyber certification, IT certifications, information security certifications, cybersecurity careers, certification roadmap, certification news, exam updates, certification study strategies, professional credentials, certification exam preparation, cybersecurity training, cybersecurity education, career development, cyber workforce, certification renewal, continuing education, entry-level cybersecurity, advanced cybersecurity certifications, CompTIA, Security Plus, Network Plus, CySA Plus, PenTest Plus, CASP Plus, SecurityX, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, ISC2, ISACA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, AWS certifications, cloud security certifications, governance risk and compliance, GRC certifications, cybersecurity management, cybersecurity audit, cybersecurity risk management, cybersecurity podcast, Dr. Jason Edwards, Bare Metal Cyber</itunes:keywords>
      <itunes:explicit>No</itunes:explicit>
      <podcast:transcript url="https://share.transistor.fm/s/8f317fe7/transcript.txt" type="text/plain"/>
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