Kathy Collins — From AOL to Award-Winning Cuisine to High-Stakes Hacking Recorded live at the 2025 Sunshine Cyber Conference in Tampa, Jack Clabby of Carlton Fields, P.A., and resident cybersecurity expert Kayley Melton, Executive Director of Operations at the Cognitive Security Institute, sit down with Kathy Collins, Security Consultant at Secure Ideas. Kathy shares her extraordinary journey, which began at the AOL help desk, took a flavorful detour through award-winning kitchens, and ultimately landed in the high-stakes world of penetration testing. Kathy explains how the intensity, precision, and discipline of her 15 years in fine dining prepared her for the unpredictable demands of cybersecurity. She recounts a particularly memorable physical pen test involving a rainy golf cart getaway—and a very unimpressed police officer. The conversation highlights Kathy’s passion for community building through events like BSides Jacksonville, where she encourages newcomers to dive in and get involved. In the Lifestyle Polygraph segment, Kayley throws Kathy two horror-themed questions with bite: which movie soundtrack best scores a pen test, and which fictional villain she’d trust most on an engagement. Fava beans and a nice Chianti may follow a successful test. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathyvcollins/
keywords
cybersecurity, culinary arts, penetration testing, career transition, high-pressure situations, horror films, IT, social engineering, cooking, cybersecurity horror, dark web, pen testing, B-Sides community, cybersecurity, lifestyle polygraph, music, childhood memories, culinary skills, competition
takeaways
Kathy Collins transitioned from IT to culinary arts and back to cybersecurity.
Her journey highlights the transferable skills between cooking and cybersecurity.
Physical penetration testing involves unpredictable human elements.
High-pressure situations in cooking can prepare one for cybersecurity challenges.
Unexpected challenges can arise in both culinary events and cybersecurity tests.
The importance of communication in cybersecurity engagements is crucial.
Kathy's experience in cooking for large groups parallels the complexities of cybersecurity.
The need for proper notification in penetration testing to avoid misunderstandings.
Kathy's culinary background influences her approach to problem-solving in cybersecurity.
There is a lack of big-budget horror films focused on cybersecurity. Going with the correct skeptical mindset is crucial.
Using tools like Flare helps in dark web monitoring.
B-Sides events are affordable and beneficial for newcomers.
Engaging with the community fosters excitement and learning.
Hannibal Lecter would be an interesting pen test partner.
The Jaws soundtrack sets a perfect mood for stealth.
Bonding over music can strengthen family relationships.
Childhood toys can reveal early hacker tendencies.
Culinary skills can be approached with a hacker mindset.
Competition in cooking shows often emphasizes drama over skill.
summary
In this episode of the No Password Required podcast, host Jack Clabby and co-host Kaylee Melton welcome Kathy Collins, a security consultant at Secure Ideas. Kathy shares her unique journey from working in IT to pursuing a culinary career, and then back to cybersecurity. The conversation explores the transferable skills between cooking and cybersecurity, the unpredictability of physical penetration testing, and the high-pressure situations faced in both fields. Kathy also recounts memorable experiences from her culinary career and discusses the lack of horror films centered around cybersecurity. In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into various aspects of cybersecurity, including the use of the dark web in penetration testing, the importance of community events like B-Sides, and the fun of the Lifestyle Polygraph segment. They also share personal anecdotes about music, childhood memories, and culinary skills, creating a rich tapestry of insights and experiences in the cybersecurity field.
titles
From Chef to Cybersecurity: A Unique Journey
The Culinary Path to Cybersecurity
High Stakes: Cooking and Cybersecurity Under Pressure
Penetration Testing: The Culinary Connection
Sound Bites
"I had to do some soul searching."
"I was like, what if I have to do..."
"It's disturbingly easy."
"There are so many opportunities there."
"Going with the correct skeptical mindset."
"We have a tool that we use called Flare."
"They should attend them, first of all."
"I had an Easy Bake Oven and took it apart."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity and Culinary Journeys
02:46 From IT to Culinary Arts: A Unique Transition
06:02 The Shift Back to Cybersecurity
09:00 Experiences in Physical Penetration Testing
11:48 High-Pressure Situations: Cooking vs. Cybersecurity
15:02 Unexpected Challenges in Culinary Events
17:54 The Intersection of Horror and Cybersecurity
23:32 Exploring the Dark Web in Pen Testing
25:34 Engaging with the B-Sides Community
27:09 The Lifestyle Polygraph: Fun and Games
31:09 Bonding Over Music and Childhood Memories
34:17 Culinary Skills and Competition Insights