Watch Now

Show Notes

How will AI redefine cybersecurity in 2025? According to Marco Figueroa, Program Manager for Gen AI at the ODIN Bug Bounty Program, this year is set to be the "Year of the Agent," where AI systems and integrations take a central role. 

In this special New Year bonus episode, Ron sits down with Marco to discuss the transformative role of AI in solving cybersecurity challenges. Marco breaks down AI jailbreak techniques, the impact of bug bounty programs on securing AI systems, and why 2025’s fast-evolving tech landscape demands creative thinking. Learn how tools like ChatGPT and Gemini 2.0 are reshaping the industry and why staying adaptable is essential.

 

Impactful Moments:

00:00 - Introduction

02:14 - Speed vs. safety: AI system challenges

05:30 - Why experience matters more than information

07:45 - Legal stakes for deepfakes and AI

18:36 - Marco’s creative journey in cybersecurity

28:00 - Jailbreaks: Risks and surprising AI findings

37:13 - 2025 predictions: The rise of agents

41:00 - Closing thoughts and the power of community

Links:

Connect with our guest, Marco Figueroa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-figueroa-re/

Chuck Brooks' 2025 Cybersecurity Predictions article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckbrooks/2024/12/24/cybersecurity-trends-and-priorities-to-watch-for-2025/

Focus Areas for the FaccT Conference News: https://facctconference.org/2025/focusareas

“Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Giving-People/dp/0593418573

Check out our upcoming events: https://www.hackervalley.com/livestreams

Join our creative mastermind and stand out as a cybersecurity professional:

https://www.patreon.com/hackervalleystudio

Love Hacker Valley Studio? Pick up some swag: https://store.hackervalley.com

Continue the conversation by joining our Discord: https://hackervalley.com/discord

Become a sponsor of the show to amplify your brand: https://hackervalley.com/work-with-us/

Recent Episodes

Apr 3, 2025

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 ...

Mar 27, 2025

Hackers Have HR Now? featuring Christopher Budd

The internet once came this close to crashing—and Microsoft was on the front line. In this episode, cybersecurity veteran Christopher Budd takes us inside the Microsoft Security Response Center ...

Mar 21, 2025

Staying Ahead in the Age of AI Agents with Marco Figueroa

Marco Figueroa is back, and his AI predictions aren’t just coming true—they’re unfolding faster than anyone expected. AI agents aren’t on the horizon—they’re already here, and security teams are ...

Mar 14, 2025

I Built an AI Version of Myself – Here’s Why with Marcus J. Carey

The best time to be alive is right now—if you know how to use AI. Marcus J. Carey, Principal Research Scientist at ReliaQuest, is harnessing AI to supercharge creativity, cybersecurity, and ...

Mar 8, 2025

Cyber Warfare, Digital Deception, and the Hidden Threats We Ignore ...

We’re already in World War III—just not the kind you’re thinking of. Cyber warfare is here, and the battlefield is your inbox, your bank account, and your digital identity. So why are we still ...

Feb 28, 2025

The AI Shift You Can’t Ignore with Marco Figueroa

AI isn’t just evolving—it’s sprinting, and cybersecurity needs to keep up.  Ron Eddings is joined again by cybersecurity leader Marco Figueroa, Program Manager for Gen AI at the ODIN Bug Bounty ...

Feb 21, 2025

Superhuman Productivity and AI Mastery with Pedram Amini

What if you could have a conversation with yourself—years into the future? Or leave behind an AI-powered avatar that understands your thoughts, philosophies, and even your voice? In this ...

Feb 13, 2025

Cybersecurity Meets AI: The Good, The Bad & The Janky

There’s no doubt that AI is changing the game in cybersecurity, but not always in the ways we expect. In this episode, Ron Eddings shares his firsthand experience with AI-powered tools that make ...

Feb 4, 2025

A Human-Centric Approach to Cybersecurity with Edna Conway

What if cybersecurity was more than just tech—what if it was about the people it serves? In this episode, Edna Conway, Founder and CEO of EMC Advisors, shares her incredible journey from law to ...

Jan 28, 2025

Rise of the Machines: Why Your Attack Surface Has More Holes Than ...

Did you know nearly half of your enterprise devices are agentless—leaving your attack surface wide open? In this episode, Ron is joined by Pandian Gnanaprakasam, Co-Founder and Chief Product ...

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.