Tech Woke

Christopher Okpala

Join us as we demystify the tech landscape, offer guidance on educational pathways, and showcase inspirational stories of individuals who have successfully transitioned into tech careers. We address challenges, celebrate triumphs, and equip you with the knowledge and motivation to take your first steps or advance further in the tech world.

  1. 16h ago

    How to Become a Senior ISSO in 12 Months (Complete Roadmap)

    🚨 Want to break into DoD cybersecurity but don't have eMASS experience? Gain hands on experience with RMF Academy eMASS Lab Access and build the confidence employers are looking for. Link below 👇 https://www.rmfacademy.io/courses/RMF-Academy-eMASS-Lab-Access 🚀 Ready to break into DoD cybersecurity? RMF Academy gives you the hands on training, practical resources, and real world guidance to build the skills employers are looking for. Link below 👇 https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Timesstamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Meet Emmanuel and His Cybersecurity Journey 02:12 How Emmanuel Earned a Top Secret Clearance at 23 04:04 Using AI and LinkedIn to Land an ISSO Role 05:08 Does a Security Clearance Increase Your Salary? 07:28 How Employers Verify Your Background 10:42 How to Become an ISSO with No Experience 12:55 Networking Tips That Actually Work 14:55 What ISSOs Really Do vs. Common Misconceptions 17:08 Building Hands-On RMF Experience 19:25 Best Resources to Learn RMF and Cybersecurity 22:18 How to Stand Out in Cybersecurity Interviews 24:15 What Hiring Managers Are Really Looking For 27:18 Why Continuous Learning Matters 30:12 How to Grow Into a Senior ISSO 33:21 Teaching Cybersecurity vs. Working in the Field 36:12 The Biggest Problems with Cybersecurity Education 39:40 Should You Get a Cybersecurity Degree? 42:48 Certifications vs. Skills: What Matters Most? 45:15 Cloud Security, AI, and the Future of Cybersecurity 47:31 The Skills Every Cybersecurity Professional Should Learn 50:12 Advice for Breaking Into Federal Cybersecurity 52:18 Where to Connect with Emmanuel 53:05 Final Thoughts Video description: How Emmanuel Went From No Experience to a Federal Cybersecurity Career | ISSO, RMF & Security Clearance How do you break into federal cybersecurity if you have little or no experience? What does it really take to become an Information System Security Officer (ISSO), earn a security clearance, and build a successful career in Risk Management Framework (RMF)? In this episode of Tech Woke, I sit down with Emmanuel to discuss his journey into federal cybersecurity, how he landed an ISSO role, the importance of networking, certifications, LinkedIn, and the strategies that helped him build a career in one of the fastest-growing areas of cybersecurity. Whether you're trying to land your first cybersecurity job, transition into Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), or understand how to get into the federal space, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world lessons. In this episode, we discuss: How Emmanuel broke into federal cybersecurity What an Information System Security Officer (ISSO) actually does How to gain RMF experience without already working in RMF The role of security clearances in cybersecurity careers Networking strategies that lead to job opportunities How LinkedIn can help you land interviews The certifications that helped Emmanuel succeed Common mistakes new cybersecurity professionals make Federal cybersecurity career advice AI, cloud security, and the future of cybersecurity How to grow from entry-level to senior cybersecurity roles If you're serious about building a career in RMF, ISSO, GRC, NIST 800-53, CMMC, or federal cybersecurity, this episode is for you. 🎥 Watch the full episode and let us know in the comments: What is the biggest challenge you're facing in your cybersecurity career?

  2. Jul 22

    This Cybersecurity Career Path Is About to Explode (Here's Why)

    🚨 Want to break into DoD cybersecurity but don't have eMASS experience? Gain hands on experience with RMF Academy eMASS Lab Access and build the confidence employers are looking for. Link below 👇 https://www.rmfacademy.io/courses/RMF-Academy-eMASS-Lab-Access 🚀 Ready to break into DoD cybersecurity? RMF Academy gives you the hands on training, practical resources, and real world guidance to build the skills employers are looking for. Link below 👇 https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:43 What Is the Risk Management Framework (RMF)? 04:15 Why RMF Is So Important in Government Cybersecurity 08:32 Common Misconceptions About RMF Careers 12:18 How to Prepare for RMF & ISSO Interviews 17:20 Losing My Job and Rebuilding My Career 18:42 Why I Doubled Down on RMF Academy 21:38 The Biggest Gap in RMF & GRC Training 22:20 How to Actually Succeed in an RMF Interview 26:10 Why Security+ and a Clearance Aren't Enough 28:05 Why I Built the eMASS Lab 28:50 The 7 Steps of RMF Explained 31:28 What You'll Actually Do as an ISSO 33:05 How RMF Academy Prepares You for the Job 36:21 The Future of RMF Careers 38:44 AI, Government Cybersecurity & RMF 40:08 How Quantum Computing Will Impact Cybersecurity 42:32 Future Skills Every RMF Professional Needs 43:30 Cloud, Automation & the Future of GRC 45:45 Why I Moved to New Mexico 46:35 What's Next for RMF Academy 47:50 Final Advice for Future ISSOs 48:20 Outro Video description: What does it really take to build a successful career in RMF and federal cybersecurity? In this special episode of Tech Woke, the roles are reversed. Instead of interviewing a guest, I'm in the hot seat as Osasu Asaji interviews me about my journey from working as an Information System Security Officer (ISSO) to building RMF Academy, overcoming career setbacks, and helping thousands of cybersecurity professionals break into GovTech. We dive deep into what the Risk Management Framework (RMF) really is, why it's one of the fastest-growing areas in federal cybersecurity, and what aspiring ISSOs, GRC professionals, and cybersecurity practitioners need to know to stay competitive in today's market. Whether you're trying to land your first cybersecurity job, transition into an RMF role, or understand where AI, cloud security, and quantum computing are taking federal cybersecurity, this conversation is packed with practical advice and real-world lessons. In this episode, we discuss: What the Risk Management Framework (RMF) is How to become an Information System Security Officer (ISSO) My journey into federal cybersecurity Losing my job and rebuilding through entrepreneurship Why I created RMF Academy The biggest mistakes aspiring ISSOs make Why Security+ and a clearance aren't always enough The importance of hands-on RMF and eMASS experience AI's impact on RMF and GRC careers How quantum computing could reshape cybersecurity The future of government cybersecurity careers Advice for anyone looking to break into GovTech If you're serious about building a career in federal cybersecurity, this episode will give you the roadmap and mindset to move forward.  If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications for more interviews with cybersecurity leaders and career experts.

  3. Jul 10

    The Only Place to Practice Real RMF Before You Get the Job

    Check out RMF Lab: https://rmfpro.ai/ 🚨 Want to break into DoD cybersecurity but don't have eMASS experience? Gain hands on experience with RMF Academy eMASS Lab Access and build the confidence employers are looking for. Link below 👇 https://www.rmfacademy.io/courses/RMF... 🚀 Ready to break into DoD cybersecurity? RMF Academy gives you the hands on training, practical resources, and real world guidance to build the skills employers are looking for. Link below 👇 https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Video Description: In this episode of the Tech Woke Podcast, Christopher Okpala sits down with David McIltrot, founder of RMF Pro, to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing cybersecurity professionals in the federal GovTech space: the lack of hands-on RMF experience. While many professionals have Security+, IT experience, or even a security clearance, very few have the opportunity to practice working through real RMF workflows before stepping into an ISSO or GRC role. David demonstrates how RMF Pro helps bridge that gap by providing an interactive platform where users can practice NIST SP 800-53 controls, create POA&Ms, develop implementation statements, build SSPs, and gain practical experience with the RMF process. Whether you're trying to break into an ISSO, GRC, or RMF role, preparing for interviews, or looking to strengthen your skills as a current cybersecurity professional, this conversation will show you why hands-on practice matters. We also discuss David's career journey, why he built RMF Pro, the future of RMF training, and how practical experience can help cybersecurity professionals become more confident and job-ready in today's federal cybersecurity workforce. #RMF #GRC #ISSO

  4. Jun 17

    How to Get Hired as a Cloud Engineer in 2026 (Step-by-Step Roadmap)

    RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Free Break into cybersecurity guide: https://www.rmfacademy.io/products/digital_downloads/breaking-into-cybersecurity Decription: In this episode of the Tech Woke Podcast, Christopher Okpala sits down with cloud engineer and content creator Jhante Henderson to discuss how aspiring technology professionals can break into cloud engineering and position themselves for success in today's competitive job market. We cover the skills employers are looking for, certifications versus hands-on projects, building a portfolio, preparing for interviews, and the steps beginners can take to stand out when applying for cloud engineering roles. Whether you're coming from help desk, system administration, cybersecurity, or another IT background, this conversation provides a practical roadmap for landing your first cloud engineering job. We also discuss personal branding, LinkedIn strategies, AI's impact on hiring, and how building real-world projects can help you demonstrate your skills and attract opportunities in cloud computing.

  5. Jun 10

    How to Break Into FedRAMP & Cloud Compliance in 2026

    RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:18 From NSA Engineer to Cybersecurity Entrepreneur 02:12 How Ajay Got Started in RMF 03:30 Building a FedRAMP Business 04:06 Starting a Cybersecurity Company 08:28 Career Advice for Cybersecurity Professionals 12:45 What a FedRAMP Engineering Company Does 15:24 How Companies Prepare for FedRAMP 19:45 FedRAMP Explained 23:52 Common FedRAMP Mistakes 25:35 Continuous Monitoring Explained 28:05 How to Break Into FedRAMP Careers 32:02 AI Governance, GRC Engineering & Cybersecurity 40:13 FedRAMP 20x & OSCAL Explained 44:10 Skills Needed for Future Cybersecurity Careers 47:50 Entrepreneurship & Building a Team 50:20 Career Advice for the Next Generation 52:00 Closing Thoughts In this episode of the Tech Woke Podcast, Christopher Okpala sits down with Ajay Chandhok, CEO of Stratus Cyber, to discuss his journey from engineering and cybersecurity into building a company that manages FedRAMP and CMMC environments for government and commercial clients. Ajay shares how he got started in RMF, transitioned into the FedRAMP space, built a cybersecurity business, and what it takes to support cloud environments operating at FedRAMP Moderate and High authorization levels. We also dive into FedRAMP careers, continuous monitoring, cloud compliance, FedRAMP 20x, OSCAL, AI's impact on cybersecurity, and the future of compliance engineering. Whether you're interested in RMF, GRC, FedRAMP, cloud security, government contracting, or building a cybersecurity business, this conversation provides valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing areas of cybersecurity and compliance.

  6. Jun 3

    How to Build a Successful Business in Tech Without a Huge Team

    RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction & Meet Richard Tarity 00:53 From Warehouse Worker to Tech Entrepreneur 02:30 Breaking Into the Technology Industry 03:21 Why Companies Make Bad Technology Decisions 05:15 The Biggest Mistake Leaders Make During Digital Transformation 07:18 Why End Users Are Often Ignored in Tech Projects 09:30 How Poor Communication Kills Technology Implementations 11:02 The Disconnect Between Sales, Engineering, and Customers 14:41 How Richard's Platform Helps Organizations Make Better Decisions 16:45 Why Technology Projects Fail 18:30 The Importance of Planning Before Implementation 20:45 Technology Risk, Cybersecurity, and Business Impact 22:15 AI Adoption: How Organizations Are Using AI Today 24:30 AI as a Force Multiplier for Business 25:54 Why AI Gives Smaller Companies a Competitive Advantage 28:05 How to Make Better Business Decisions 29:48 Slow Down to Speed Up: A Key Leadership Lesson 31:45 Advice for Entrepreneurs Building a Tech Business 33:32 Why Networking Still Matters More Than Social Media 36:45 Building Relationships in Business and Technology 38:30 Lessons Learned from 27 Years in Business 40:35 How to Create Value for Customers 43:55 Ask Better Questions, Get Better Answers 45:00 Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks How do you build a technology business that lasts for decades in an industry that never stops changing? In this episode of the Tech Woke Podcast, Christopher Okpala sits down with Richard Tarity, entrepreneur, advisor, speaker, and bestselling author, to discuss lessons learned from more than 27 years in the technology industry. Richard shares insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, technology adoption, customer success, artificial intelligence, and what it takes to build a business that continues to grow and deliver value over time. Whether you're a tech professional, business owner, or aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation offers practical advice for navigating today's rapidly evolving technology landscape.

    How to Build a Successful Business in Tech Without a Huge Team

  7. May 23

    GRC vs RMF Explained: Which Cybersecurity Path Should You Learn?

    RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Trying to break into cybersecurity but confused about GRC vs RMF? Everybody online says “get into GRC,” but most people never explain how different these paths actually are. In this live Tech Woke conversation, we break down: • What GRC actually is • What RMF really looks like in the real world • Federal vs commercial cybersecurity careers • Which path is better for beginners • Salary potential and career growth • Real job titles to target • Interview questions you should expect • AI, cloud compliance, and where cybersecurity compliance is going next If you’re trying to get into cybersecurity, GovTech, compliance, audit, risk, or RMF, this conversation will save you time. Hosted by Christopher Okpala | Tech Woke Podcast Subscribe for real cybersecurity career conversations, RMF insights, GovTech training, and practical tech career advice. #Cybersecurity #GRC #RMF

  8. May 17

    The Future of Cybersecurity Compliance (RMF Explained)

    RMF Academy: https://www.rmfacademy.io/ Video Description: Cybersecurity compliance is changing fast. AI, cloud computing, automation, DevSecOps, and continuous monitoring are reshaping what RMF and compliance work actually look like in real environments. In this live conversation, we’ll break down the future of RMF, cybersecurity compliance, and the skills professionals need to stay relevant in 2026 and beyond. Topics include: • The future of RMF and cybersecurity compliance • How AI is changing GRC, ISSO, and RMF roles • Cloud compliance and FedRAMP environments • cATO and compliance automation • Why “paper compliance” is dying • The cybersecurity jobs nobody talks about • Hidden careers in GRC, audit, risk, and cloud compliance • What skills people should actually be learning right now • Will AI replace compliance jobs? • How cybersecurity is becoming more technical This conversation is designed for people trying to break into cybersecurity, grow in GovTech, understand RMF, or stay ahead of where the industry is heading. Host: Christopher Okpala Guest: Osasu Osagie #Cybersecurity #RMF #GRC

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About

Join us as we demystify the tech landscape, offer guidance on educational pathways, and showcase inspirational stories of individuals who have successfully transitioned into tech careers. We address challenges, celebrate triumphs, and equip you with the knowledge and motivation to take your first steps or advance further in the tech world.

Information

  • Creator
    Christopher Okpala
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Tech Woke