CyBytes

Nik Mohanlal

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CyBytes is a podcast that features bite-sized conversations with tech and cybersecurity pros - sharing insights, stories, and actionable advice to help you navigate and thrive in the industry

5h ago

what cyber training STILL gets wrong in 2026 | Renzon Cruz

Subscribe to CyBytes Newsletterhttps://cybytes.io/newsletter Renzon and I both spend a lot of time building and delivering cyber training, so we get into what we think is still missing. And something that’s much harder to teach: the human element. We talk about the need for affordable hands-on training built around current threats, why fundamentals are still so important, and why students shouldn’t rush straight into the flashy tools without understanding what’s happening underneath them. Renzon also talks about his work building training through Guide Them and creating APT-focused blue-team labs with XINTRA. Follow CyBytesLinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/cybytespodcastYoutube - @cybytespodcast Substack - cybytes.substack.com Follow Nik hereLinkedIn - https://bit.ly/4dGiIY9 Follow Renzon hereLinkedIn - https://bit.ly/4gT2KNfGuideM Cyber Training - https://bit.ly/4qGzU6bXINTRA - https://www.xintra.org/DFIR Report - https://thedfirreport.com/
Oct 12

how to build a successful cyber-security career in UAE | Renzon Cruz

Subscribe to CyBytes Newsletterhttps://cybytes.io/newsletter The UAE has become an incredibly attractive place to build a cybersecurity career. The competition is getting tougher and tougher Sometimes the best career advice really is simple: show up, meet people and ask questions. Renzon talks about his experience working in the UAE, the growth of the local cybersecurity community and why simply being technically good isn’t always enough to get ahead. We get into networking, mentorship, communities like 971Sec, attending meetups and actually approaching people who are already doing the job you want to do. Renzon also shares the harder side of the market: more people wanting to move to the UAE, increasing expectations from employers and the lack of opportunities available to some fresh graduates. Follow CyBytesLinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/cybytespodcastYoutube - @cybytespodcast Substack - cybytes.substack.com Follow Nik hereLinkedIn - https://bit.ly/4dGiIY9 Follow Renzon hereLinkedIn - https://bit.ly/4gT2KNfGuideM Cyber Training - https://bit.ly/4qGzU6bXINTRA - https://www.xintra.org/DFIR Report - https://thedfirreport.com/
Oct 5

what incident response REALLY looks like | Renzon Cruz

Subscribe to CyBytes Newsletterhttps://cybytes.io/newsletter Incident response looks very different when you’re dealing with a real organisation, real attackers and a very stressed client. Renzon shares his actual experience on what Incident Response actually looks and feels like. What 'scoping an incident' means and understanding the environment to staying calm when everyone around you is panicking. We shares some crazy war stories, including discovering attackers who had been inside environments for years, investigating two different APT groups targeting the same organisation, and negotiating with a threat actor while he was supposed to be on holiday. We also talk about why incident response isn’t just about tools and logs. Sometimes the most important skill is being the person who can calmly tell everyone what happens next. Follow CyBytesLinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/cybytespodcastYoutube - @cybytespodcast Substack - cybytes.substack.com Follow Nik hereLinkedIn - https://bit.ly/4dGiIY9 Follow Renzon hereLinkedIn - https://bit.ly/4gT2KNfGuideM Cyber Training - https://bit.ly/4qGzU6bXINTRA - https://www.xintra.org/DFIR Report - https://thedfirreport.com/
Sep 28

actual tips on preparing for your first cybersecurity job in GCC | Anya Shpilman

Subscribe to CyBytes Newsletterhttps://cybytes.io/newsletter What should you actually be doing before applying for your first cybersecurity job? We talk about what students and graduates can do to prepare for the GCC cybersecurity market, why hands-on experience matters, finding mentors, trying different areas of cyber and why simply messaging recruiters asking them to “find me a job” probably isn’t going to work. One of the biggest themes: build things. Projects, blogs, labs, portfolios and genuine curiosity give people something to notice — especially when you don’t have years of professional experience behind you yet. Follow CyBytesLinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/cybytespodcastYoutube - @cybytespodcast Substack - cybytes.substack.com Follow Nik hereLinkedIn - https://bit.ly/4dGiIY9 Follow Anya hereLinkedIn - https://bit.ly/46h5n6iCyberFused - https://www.cyberfused.com/ Follow Karim hereLinkedin - https://bit.ly/4zAGDmf
Sep 21

CyberFused can help new cyber companies find the best people in UAE | Anya Shpilman

Subscribe to CyBytes Newsletterhttps://cybytes.io/newsletter What does it actually take to build a cybersecurity team in the Middle East? Not every client is a good client. Anya Shpilman founded CyberFused to specialise in exactly that. We get into how CyberFused works, why Anya moved towards an embedded recruitment model, what happens when a company comes to her with multiple vacancies and why international cybersecurity vendors often struggle when they first start hiring in the GCC. Follow CyBytesLinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/cybytespodcastYoutube - @cybytespodcast Substack - cybytes.substack.com Follow Nik hereLinkedIn - https://bit.ly/4dGiIY9 Follow Anya hereLinkedIn - https://bit.ly/46h5n6iCyberFused - https://www.cyberfused.com/ Follow Karim hereLinkedin - https://bit.ly/4zAGDmf
Sep 14

how geopolitics affects cyber jobs in the Gulf | Anya Shpilman

Subscribe to CyBytes Newsletterhttps://cybytes.io/newsletter Anya shares what she has personally seen across cybersecurity recruitment in the UAE Including jobs being put on hold, offers being withdrawn and companies becoming much more cautious with hiring budgets. With the current tension in the region, what are companies to do? Subscribe to CyBytes for more conversations with people actually working in cybersecurity across the UAE and beyond Follow CyBytesLinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/cybytespodcastYoutube - @cybytespodcast Substack - cybytes.substack.com Follow Nik hereLinkedIn - https://bit.ly/4dGiIY9 Follow Anya hereLinkedIn - https://bit.ly/46h5n6iCyberFused - https://www.cyberfused.com/ Follow Karim hereLinkedin - https://bit.ly/4zAGDmf
Sep 7

how cybersecurity hiring actually works in UAE | Anya Shpilman

Subscribe to CyBytes Newsletterhttps://cybytes.io/newsletter What actually happens when a company in Dubai needs to hire someone in cybersecurity? It’s a lot more complicated than posting a job on LinkedIn and waiting for the right CV. I test Anya on how she approaches a new cyber job off the cuff. From understanding what the hiring manager actually needs, setting realistic salary expectations and finding candidates, through to shortlisting, interviews and negotiating the final offer. Subscribe to CyBytes for more conversations with people actually working in cybersecurity across the UAE and beyond. Follow CyBytesLinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/cybytespodcastYoutube - @cybytespodcast Substack - cybytes.substack.com Follow Nik hereLinkedIn - https://bit.ly/4dGiIY9 Follow Anya hereLinkedIn - https://bit.ly/46h5n6iCyberFused - https://www.cyberfused.com/ Follow Karim hereLinkedin - https://bit.ly/4zAGDmf
Aug 31

has AI made cybersecurity hiring easier? | Anya Shpilman

Subscribe to CyBytes Newsletterhttps://cybytes.io/newsletter In this episode of CyBytes, I sit down with cybersecurity recruiter and CyberFused founder Anya Shpilman to talk about how AI is changing recruitment in the GCC, where it genuinely helps, where it falls short, and why human relationships still matter when you’re hiring people We get into the ever lasting dead internet theory. AI-generated CVs, automated applications, AI interviews and the tools Anya actually uses in her own work. Subscribe to CyBytes for more conversations with people actually working in cybersecurity across the UAE and beyond Follow CyBytesLinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/cybytespodcastYoutube - @cybytespodcast Substack - cybytes.substack.com Follow Nik hereLinkedIn - https://bit.ly/4dGiIY9 Follow Anya hereLinkedIn - https://bit.ly/46h5n6iCyberFused - https://www.cyberfused.com/ Follow Karim hereLinkedin - https://bit.ly/4zAGDmf

Trailer

CyBytes - Podcast Trailer

CyBytes is a podcast that brings short, bite-sized conversations with individuals who work in cybersecurity across the UAE and the World - beginner or seasoned. Who can provide valuable insight and advice, sharing stories and tips for those looking to get a head start in cyber security and tech. In 15 min episodes you’ll get a chance to learn about what they do, how they got started, methods they use to stay on top of their skills and what keeps them going. As well as providing some actionable insight for those who want to do the same! Contact: LinkedIn

CyBytes is a podcast that features bite-sized conversations with tech and cybersecurity pros - sharing insights, stories, and actionable advice to help you navigate and thrive in the industry

Creator

Nik Mohanlal
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

16
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2025 Nik Mohanlal