S2 E25: Finance to Firewall: Avanna Huynh's Security Breakthrough

In this episode of the Cyber Coffee Hour, we're joined by Avanna Huynh, whose journey from financial spreadsheets to security frameworks proves that the best hackers don't always come from traditional tech backgrounds! Avanna shares how her financial risk analysis skills gave her a unique edge in cybersecurity, leading to her selection as a Top 20 Finalist among 2,500+ candidates for Boeing's elite Technical Apprenticeship Program.
We'll explore how her MS in Cybersecurity from WGU and impressive certifications like CompTIA CySA+ and PenTest+ complement her entrepreneurial spirit. Avanna's education platform, Securely Savvy, began as a personal blog but now offers the sought-after Cyber Roadmap Trailblazer Experience, helping non-technical professionals navigate their way into cybersecurity careers.
Grab your coffee and join us for inspirational insights from someone proving that career pivots can lead to extraordinary success! ☕

Connect with our guests!
➡️Avanna Huynh

https://www.securelysavvy.com/



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🎥:    • S2 E25: Finance to Firewall: Avanna Huynh'...  

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➡️Dr. Joseph J. Burt-Miller Jr.
➡️Alfredzo B. Nash Jr.
➡️Cyber Coffee Hour Podcast
➡️Cyber Coffee Hour on BlueSky! https://bsky.app/profile/cybercoffeeh...
➡️Alive Podcast Network
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❓Question: If you could make a career pivot into any tech field tomorrow, which would you choose and why? Share your dream transition in the comments—bonus points if it's as unexpected as Avanna's finance-to-cybersecurity leap!
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⚖️Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and thoughts expressed herein are those of the Cyber Coffee Hour and not those of our employers or personal or professional relationships.

⏰ Timecodes ⏰
00:00 - Introduction to Cyber Coffee Hour
01:57 - Avanna’s Journey in Cybersecurity
05:08 - Transitioning from Finance to Cybersecurity
09:21 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
13:19 - Common Misconceptions in Cybersecurity
17:44 - Mindset Shifts for Career Changers
21:48 - Underestimated Cybersecurity Threats
22:12 - Incident Response and Cybersecurity Breaches
26:23 - The Cyber Roadmap Trailblazer Experience
28:06 - Emerging Threats in Cybersecurity
31:19 - The Journey into Cybersecurity
34:59 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
38:44 - Balancing Work and Personal Interests
40:59 - Outro



📖 The Cyber Coffee Hour comprises Dr. Joseph J. Burt-Miller Jr. and Alfredzo B. Nash Jr., two cyber experts from Mount Vernon, NY, who love good coffee and conversation. They have surveyed the cyber podcast landscape and want to see a change. The perspective of those getting started in their journey must be emphasized for shows featuring the world's CIOs, CISOs, and CTOs.

The mission of the Cyber Coffee Hour is to feature guests at all stages of the cyber journey. Still, it prioritizes the voices of those who are undergoing gatekeeping, racism, and other biases while trying to make their way into the cybersecurity practicum. The Cyber Coffee Hour uniquely spreads the cybersecurity gospel by featuring guests with and without a cybersecurity background, with cybersecurity as the common denominator.