Circling Back With Pittsburgh's Cybersecurity Super Force: Qintel

Circling Back With Pittsburgh's Cybersecurity Super Force: Qintel

What happens when national security, advanced data technology and a culture of "people first, mission always" all collide inside one fast-moving Pittsburgh company? That is exactly what we're digging into on this episode of TechVibe as we welcome back Damon Mathews of Qintel. The last time Damon joined us, we only scratched the surface of what Qintel is building, and we knew we had to go deeper. This time, we're pulling back the curtain on the secret sauce behind Qintel's global threat intelligence work, from helping government partners track and disrupt serious threats to using data, analytics, visualization and AI to save precious time when every second matters. We'll also talk about Qintel's unique culture, why the company hires for people as much as positions, and how Damon's 22 years as a Marine intelligence officer make this mission feel like a natural next chapter. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to Explore Pittsburgh's Technology and innovation ecosystem.

Top Takeaways From Cyburgh's Keynote Featuring the FBI

Last week's Cyburgh's keynote address brought together law enforcement, legal prosecution and frontline cybersecurity perspectives to deliver a ransomware reality check rooted in action, timing and preparation. Featuring Richard Evanchec, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office; Kelly Locher, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania; and David Kane of Ethical Intruder as moderator, the conversation set the tone for the day's ransomware discussions by focusing on what actually changes outcomes once an organization is under attack. This Sunday's TechVibe features key insights from both Evanchec and Locher that you can apply to your business today. Tune in and geek out with us! And keep your company safe, too. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore the region's technology and innovation ecosystem.

The Pittsburgh Startup Helping Students Find Their Path Through AI and Storytelling

What if Pittsburgh held the blueprint for helping more young people become innovators in an AI-driven world, and it was built through gaming, storytelling, digital twins, and STEAM? In this episode of TechVibe Radio, we talk with Damola and Wole Idowu of TOYZ Electronics about the bold vision behind DAH Varsity AI and TOYZ STEAM. Their platform is designed to help students discover their strengths, connect personal passion to real opportunity, and build the mindset needed to thrive in what Damola calls the "Intelligence Age." From hip hop and culture to robotics, VR, engineering, and AI agents, this conversation explores how innovation can become more accessible, more personal, and far more inclusive. You'll hear how TOYZ Electronics is already gaining traction with thousands of downloads, thousands of student profiles, and hundreds of students directly impacted in Pittsburgh. You'll also get a powerful look at why Damola and Wole believe the future belongs to people who can innovate, not just compute, and why Pittsburgh has the ingredients to lead if it invests in overlooked talent. This is a high-energy conversation about AI, entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, and building systems that help more people see themselves in the future. Listen in to hear how a Pittsburgh-built platform is aiming to unlock the next generation of creators, engineers, and entrepreneurs before the future races ahead without them. The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.

Pittsburgh Tech Entrepreneur Sells IQ Inc.—What's Next After 30 Years of Building?

What does it take to build a company that lasts more than three decades… and then have the courage to hand it off so it can grow even bigger? In this episode of TechVibe Radio, we sit down with Barbara VanKirk, founder of IQ Inc, to unpack a story that's been 30+ years in the making. From her early days at Westinghouse Electric Corporation to building a people-first engineering company in Pittsburgh, Barb shares how curiosity, culture, and a commitment to growth shaped IQ Inc.'s journey. Then, the story takes a global turn. Enter Critical Software—a Portugal-based, mission-critical engineering firm with big ambitions in the U.S. market. Joined by COO João Brito and Chief People Officer Filipa Carmo, the conversation explores why Pittsburgh, why now, and why IQ Inc. was the perfect fit. Spoiler: it wasn't just about engineering expertise. It was about culture. From shared values around people-first leadership to global strategy and expansion, this episode captures a rare moment when legacy meets lift-off. With ties to Carnegie Mellon University and a deep respect for Pittsburgh's tech ecosystem, Critical Software is planting a flag—and planning to grow. This isn't just an acquisition story. It's a blueprint for building something meaningful… and knowing when it's time to take it further.

Cyburgh Preview: AI Security in Production with Brenasia Ward-Caldwell

What happens when AI is already in production, but security teams are still racing to catch up? In this episode of TechVibe, Jonathan Kersting talks with Brenasia Ward-Caldwell, Senior Security and AI Solutions Engineer at Microsoft, about her upcoming AI Security in Production panel at Cyburgh. Brenasia works with organizations across the country, helping them think through modern security strategy, and she brings that frontline perspective to one of the most urgent conversations in tech right now: how to secure AI tools that are being adopted faster than many organizations can inventory, govern, or measure. The conversation moves beyond the basic question of whether companies need an AI policy. At this point, Brenasia notes, most boards have already made that call. The real challenge is the growing gap between what organizations have written down and what is actually happening inside fast-moving production environments. From shadow AI to shifting ownership of AI risk to the need for non-negotiable security controls, this episode previews the kind of practical, high-stakes discussion Cyburgh attendees can expect to hear on stage. Jonathan and Brenasia also touch on the magic of Cyburgh itself, especially the off-stage conversations where ideas, concerns, and candid opinions bubble up between sessions. Add in Brenasia's perspective from a recent industry roundtable at NAB in Las Vegas, where content security and remediation patterns were hot topics, and this episode becomes a sharp snapshot of where AI security stands right now. You'll get a fast, practical preview of the AI governance and security issues every enterprise is now facing. Hit PLAY now to get ready for Cyburgh and hear why securing AI in production may be one of the biggest cybersecurity challenges of the year. Learn more about Cyburgh here. [https://www.pghtech.org/events/2026Cyburgh] The Pittsburgh Technology Council produces TechVibe to explore Pittsburgh's technology and innovation ecosystem.