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Tuesday

Michael R. BrownMichael

CommunityHire Ground6 hr 42 minBeginnerOpen on YouTube ↗

Where

Hire Ground
BSides Las Vegas

Duration

6 hr 42 min

Covers certifications, hiring pitfalls, AI-era career advice and non-linear career paths across several Higher Ground talks.

Summary

This stream from the Tuesday of BSides Las Vegas 2026 Higher Ground track bundles several career-focused talks. Michael R. Brown opens with a primer on security certifications: how they differ from certificates of completion, why they expire and require continuing education, and how the major certifying bodies and niche groups compare. He suggests starting with a generalist credential and then adding specialty certifications tied to a chosen path.

Carter Miller then treats hiring as a verification problem. He describes inflated résumés, candidates getting live help during interviews, proxy workers, fake applicants and keyword-based screening. His advice is to attach public proof of work to claims, probe depth with follow-up questions, and make sure each interview stage checks something specific.

Gmark and Michael discuss how AI is changing security jobs. Routine, checklist-style work looks most exposed, while accountability, judgment under uncertainty, leadership and interpersonal trust are harder to automate. Their practical guidance is to build small projects with AI tools, learn continuously, make your work visible and understand the business side. Jenna closes with a talk on non-linear careers, urging listeners to follow their energy, reflect on each role, build reputation and calibrate their instincts.

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