As we bid farewell to another remarkable year, it's time to reflect on the moments that made our podcast journey truly unforgettable. In the realm of insightful conversations, compelling stories, and thought-provoking discussions, Adventures of Alice & Bob emerged as a true standout in cybersecurity podcasting. From riveting interviews to groundbreaking explorations, this podcast has consistently delivered content that captivated audiences around the globe. In its two-year run, Adventures of Alice & Bob has gained over 11,000 subscribers and achieved 133% growth year-over-year (YoY). It has also been rated five out of five stars on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.
In this blog, I’ll delve into the top five episodes that defined the year. Read on to start unraveling the narratives that left a lasting imprint on our hearts and minds in 2023.
What were the 5 most popular cybersecurity podcasts in 2023?
1. Episode 30: Space Rogue and the L0pht Legacy // Cris Thomas
In a riveting exploration of cybersecurity history, James Maude is joined by Cris Thomas, also known as "Space Rogue." Together, they unravel the captivating origins of L0pht, a groundbreaking hacker collective that forever changed the industry. From unconventional cybersecurity risks to the leave-no-trace principle, Cris shares invaluable insights while shedding light on the early days of hacking culture. His testimony before Congress, animosities with the government, and L0pht's enduring legacy make this episode a must-listen for any cybersecurity enthusiast.
2. Episode 27: Keeping Netflix Safe: Threat Modeling Uncovered // Scott Behrens
Hosted by Karl Lankford, this episode features Scott Behrens, Principal Security Engineer of Information Security at Netflix. Delving into the challenges of building a security program at Netflix, the discussion highlights the role of threat modeling in identifying vulnerabilities before exploitation. Scott's experience in fighting the Log4J vulnerability and insights into Netflix's approach to third-party code make this episode a valuable resource for understanding modern information security.
3. Episode 38: Superhost Karl Hangs Up the Headphones // Karl Lankford
In a bittersweet farewell, James Maude and outgoing podcast host Karl Lankford take listeners on a nostalgic journey through the incredible tenure of "Superhost Karl" on The Adventures of Alice and Bob. From hair-raising plane rides to secret server room speakeasies, the duo reminisces about the wild adventures, guest interviews, and laughs shared over the past year and a half. Karl reflects on the lessons learned and the excitement for the next chapter, leaving listeners with a heartfelt farewell to a fan-favorite host.
4. Episode 40: Breached! BeyondTrust Discovers Breach of Okta Support Unit // Marc Maiffret
James sits down with BeyondTrust CTO Marc Maiffret to unravel the gripping tale of the Okta Breach of 2023. Exploring how BeyondTrust discovered the breach of Okta's Support Unit, the episode provides a rare inside look at how a major provider was compromised. Marc shares insights into the discovery process, escalating concerns, gathering evidence, and offering valuable lessons for enhancing our own system defenses.
5. Episode 43: Robbing Banks, Stealing Helicopters, and Building Teepees // Freakyclown
James engages in a thrilling conversation with professional ethical hacker FC, also known as Freakyclown, to uncover the wild stories from his 30+ year career. From robbing banks to stealing helicopters and building teepees, FC shares tales that sound stranger than fiction. The episode not only provides an adrenaline-pumping experience for fans of high-energy content, but it also offers practical advice for improving security, making it a standout episode in 2023.
Concluding thoughts
As we bid adieu to 2023, these five podcast episodes stand out as the crown jewels of Adventures of Alice & Bob. From the thrilling exploits of ethical hackers to in-depth explorations of cybersecurity breaches and heartfelt farewells to beloved hosts, each episode has left an indelible mark on our minds. As we look forward to another year of captivating content, these stories will undoubtedly linger, reminding us of the power of storytelling in the ever-evolving landscape of podcasting. Here's to the adventures, insights, and connections that await in the coming year!
What are people saying about The Adventures of Alice & Bob?
Amazing stories!
"I would love to know how they find these amazing people and insane stories to come on the show!"
--carolinaa123
Absolutely love this show
"Love to hear the stories from all these hackers!"
--Sciencegirl123!
Where to find The Adventures of Alice & Bob
As I wrap up this post, I wanted to say one final thank you to all those on the frontlines of cybersecurity and infosec. We are truly grateful for the things you do daily to keep us and our families safe online. Listen to all of these plus more amazing stories on The Adventures of Alice and Bob. Listen wherever you stream your podcasts.
Interested in Being a Guest?
If you are an infosec hero (of course you are) and have a personal anecdote from the front lines of a cyberattack that you’d like to share on the podcast, please contact the BeyondTrust podcast production team at podcast@beyondtrust.com.
Carter Kletch, Marketing Intern
A Marketing Intern at BeyondTrust, Carter Kletch works to help the Demand-Gen team through webinar curation, website updating, and assisting with the Adventures of Alice & Bob podcast. He is currently studying Marketing at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. He has a strong passion for the sport of Ultimate Frisbee, where he serves as an officer for his school's club team.