Show Notes
In the studio today is Jimmy Sanders, a mentor, technician and all-around leader. Jimmy is the head of information security at Netflix DVD where he secures data and systems from cyber threat while building resilient compliance programs across technology, financial services, and healthcare organizations.
Jimmy is here to talk about what we are worth in technology and cyber security. He is always full of advice and knowledge and is always promoting positive change in our community.
To start this podcast, Jimmy shares a little about his background and how he came to the role he is in now for Netflix. Along with his career background, he shares all the organizations he is involved with.
Jimmy talks briefly about what happened to him that encouraged him to go 120% and then some in this career choice. He didn’t find his passion in technology until 12 years after graduating college. You will hear how the possibility of never walking again affected his work ethic.
Allan and Jimmy talk at length about those 12-years where Jimmy was stumbling, bouncing from college to college, to flunking out of college. It took those years for him to discover how the absence of passion can truly feel.
The show closes discussing knowing how to recognize opportunities and taking them. In addition, they talk about how important it is to know your worth, recognize your value and that everything in life or work is negotiable. You will only be better than your job description if you make it that way.
Key Takeaways:
0:00 Intro
1:27 Episode begins
2:28 Jimmy Sanders introduced
2:40 Jimmy shares his background
4:20 Jimmy shares how he made his way into cyber security
6:28 What happened to Jimmy that got him going headstrong into cyber security
8:57 For 12-years, Jimmy stumbled through life – what did he learn and do?
10:40 Journey into his career choice and how it skyrocketed
13:00 How does Jimmy stay fresh and on top of advancements
14:54 Jimmy shares his “superpower”
17:55 Making the most of opportunities and getting into that mindset
20:15 Jimmy shares how to know your worth and understand your value
23:35 Negotiations when looking for a job
25:10 Jimmy’s hopes and objectives for the Technology Collaborative Summit which Cyber Ranch is hosting
27:26 Advice to those questioning their value in their cyber security job
28:55 Thank you and how to keep in touch
Links:
Sign up for the April 27th event 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Pacific Time: www.techwc.org
Jimmy Sanders on LinkedIn
Support Hacker Valley Studio on Patreon. Follow Hacker Valley Studio on Twitter.
Follow hosts Ron Eddings and Chris Cochran on Twitter.
Learn more about our sponsor ByteChek.
Vote for Hacker Valley Studio to win a Webby!
Recent Episodes
The AI Gold Rush in Cybersecurity with Chris Cochran
The new cybersecurity pioneers aren’t chasing alerts, they’re building with AI. But what happens when tools meant to assist begin making decisions for us? And what skills do we lose when ...
The AI That Tried to Escape with Ron Eddings
What happens when AI refuses to be replaced? This episode kicks off with a chilling real-world example of an AI threatening blackmail—and only gets more intense from there. Host Ron Eddings ...
Zero Trust Isn’t a Tool — It’s Everything with George Finney
What if Zero Trust isn’t a framework, but the only viable cybersecurity strategy—more about people than products? In this episode, George Finney, CISO at the University of Texas System and ...
Your Two-Year Edge Starts Now with Marco Figueroa
You won’t be replaced by AI—you’ll be replaced by someone using it better. Returning guest Marco Figueroa is back with a frontline report on the AI agent boom. This isn’t a prediction—it’s a ...
Badge Cloning, Alarm Triggers & Getting Hired to Hack with Greg ...
Most people think red teaming is digital—until someone bypasses your locks, plants a Raspberry Pi in your server room, and walks out with your data. That’s not sci-fi. That’s White Knight Labs. ...
Building Cyber Resilience Through Culture with David Shipley
What if fixing cybersecurity wasn’t about more tools, but about unlocking human potential? In this episode, Ron Eddings welcomes back David Shipley, CEO and Field CSO of Beauceron Security, for ...
Ditch the Spreadsheets: Smarter Crypto Security with Michael ...
Still tracking certificates in a spreadsheet? You’re not alone—and there’s a better way. In this special episode from RSA 2025, Ron sits down with Michael Klieman, Global Vice President of ...
Protecting People, Not Just Perimeters with Andrey Suzdaltsev
AI is reshaping the cybersecurity battlefield, and cyber adversaries are getting smarter. In this episode, Ron Eddings welcomes Andrey Suzdaltsev, Co-Founder and CEO of Brightside AI, for a look ...
Digital Clutter and the Death of Passwords with Collin Sweeney & ...
Passwords are the original digital clutter—messy, overstuffed, and way too easy to forget. Like a junk drawer full of old keys and cables, we keep tossing more into them, hoping they’ll somehow ...
What Most Cybersecurity Advice Misses—And How to Fix It with ...
What if the biggest threat to cybersecurity isn’t attackers—but the defenders themselves? Why are we still building tools for experts in a world where technical skills are fading fast? In this ...
WORK WITH US
PODCASTS + SPEAKING + EVENTS
Are you the best kept secret in cybersecurity? Let's change that by partnering together for podcast ads, social campaigns, and your next event or keynote. Send us your details to get started.
Thank you!
We will be in touch soon and reach out to you at