Ep.4 - Hahna Latonick, Director of Security Research at Dark Wolf Solutions

Hackers to Founders

Summary
In this episode, Chris interviews Hannah Latonick, a cybersecurity expert with over 18 years of experience. They discuss Hannah's journey into cybersecurity, her experiences with Capture the Flag competitions, her role at Dark Wolf Solutions, and her insights on government contracts and networking. Hannah shares valuable advice for aspiring cybersecurity entrepreneurs and highlights innovative projects her team is working on, including a focus on drone technology and vulnerability research. In this conversation, Hahna Latonick discusses her journey in cybersecurity, the importance of data security in hostile environments, and the future of Dark Wolf Solutions. She shares insights on scaling success in defense contracting, building strong customer relationships, and the role of mentorship in her career. Hahna reflects on her entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, explores various side hustles, and discusses her experiences with seed funding and startups. She emphasizes the importance of investing in oneself and continuous learning, particularly in the field of cybersecurity training. The conversation concludes with Hahna sharing her upcoming conferences and networking opportunities.

Takeaways

• Hannah Latonickhas over 18 years of experience in cybersecurity.
• Her journey began with a family computer and curiosity about technology.
• Capture the Flag competitions played a significant role in her career.
• Dark Wolf Solutions focuses on finding zero-day vulnerabilities.
• Networking is crucial for small businesses in government contracting.
• Small business set-asides on SAM.gov provide opportunities for new companies.
• Engaging with small business offices can facilitate government contracts.
• Conferences and trade shows are valuable for networking and learning.
• Cybersecurity is vital for national security and everyday life.
• Innovative projects include automated tools for vulnerability discovery. Data security is crucial, especially in hostile environments.
• Dark Wolf Solutions aims to compete with top defense contractors.
• Customer intimacy is key to successful contracting.
• Mentorship has played a significant role in my career growth.
• Entrepreneurial spirit can start from a young age.
• Investing in yourself opens up more opportunities.
• Continuous learning is essential in the tech industry.
• Teaching cybersecurity helps reinforce my own knowledge.
• Networking at conferences is vital for career advancement.
• Exploring side hustles can lead to new business opportunities.

Hahna Latonick
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hahnakane/
X (Twitter) - https://twitter.com/hahnakane
BSides Tampa Presentation - https://youtu.be/xi5EFPmw18g?si=w10fpRjv4hswWMc_

Dark Wolf Solutions
Website - https://darkwolfsolutions.com/
Android Security Research Playbook - https://asrp.darkwolf.io/
Drone Security Research Playbook - https://dronewolf.darkwolf.io/
IoT Exploitation Blog Post - https://blog.darkwolfsolutions.com/dws-blog-09-26-2024-ep-15
Spoofing Mint Browser Blog Post - https://blog.darkwolfsolutions.com/dws-blog-07-30-2024-ep-8

Topics
Mastering Your Money - Stop Yearning Start Earning - https://amzn.to/48nuOTf
Unlock Your Millionaire Mindset Today Course - https://www.udemy.com/course/unlock-your-millionaire-mindset-today/
The Personal MBA - https://amzn.to/3Ys9gQE