Unencrypted Chatter - ISC2 New Jersey Chapter Podcast

Episode#18: Certification, Community, and Collaboration: Our SECON conversation with Joe Nunes

Continuing our SECON 2025 throwback series, host Joe Patti sits down with Joseph Nunes, President of the ISACA New Jersey Chapter, during the conference. With both the ISC2 New Jersey Chapter and ISACA New Jersey chapters sponsoring SECON 2025, the conversation highlights the strong connection between the two communities and the many professionals who actively participate in both. Joe reflects on his 14 years as an ISACA member, sharing insights on certifications, testing experiences, and the value of continuing education for cybersecurity and IT governance professionals. The discussion also explores the chapter’s growing focus on community outreach, educational workshops, partnerships with universities, and new initiatives engaging high school students interested in cybersecurity careers. Looking ahead, Joe shares his hopes for 2026, including expanding collaboration and partnerships between ISACA and ISC2 chapters to continue strengthening the cybersecurity community.

Episode#17: Heating Things Up with Ken Fishkin! Our SECON 2025 Throwback

Warm up from the storms with this throwback episode as we revisit the live conversations hosted in person at SECON 2025 with Ken Fishkin, President of the ISC2 New Jersey Chapter with our host, Joe Patti. Recorded during the conference itself, this discussion captures the real-time energy of SECON 2025 as it was happening. Ken shares insights on the vision behind the event, the momentum building throughout the day, and how the chapter continues to elevate professional development, collaboration, and leadership across our cybersecurity community. From the conference floor to the broader mission of the chapter, this episode highlights leadership in motion and what it looks like when a community comes together with purpose. Press play and revisit the energy of SECON 2025.

Episode#16: CMMC 2.0: Certification Lessons for Defense Contractors and Others

In this episode of Unencrypted Chatter, hosts Richard Mendoza and Aneta Klepacka sit down with Wesley Reinhart, CMMC Program Director at Compass MSP, to break down the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC 2.0). Wes shares actionable insights for businesses preparing to meet Department of Defense (DoD) compliance standards — from scoping environments and mapping CUI data to executive buy-in, risk prioritization, and timelines. Whether you’re a small contractor or a major supplier, this discussion will help you understand the real-world impact, urgency, and steps to achieve certification.

Episode #15: From Marine to Cyber Leader: Tom Brennan on Modern Security

As Veterans Day approaches, we’re honored to feature a guest whose path reflects the discipline, service, and commitment that strengthen our cybersecurity community every day. In this episode, Tom Brennan shares how his early experiences in the U.S. Marine Corps shaped his attacker mindset, informed his approach to risk, and prepared him for a career focused on real-world defense and cyber resiliency. Tom also joined us this past June as one of our valuable speakers at SECON 2025, bringing practical insights to our community.

Episode #14: Michelle Schaap on Cybersecurity and Law

In this episode of Unencrypted Chatter, host Joe Patti talks with Michelle Schaap, an attorney specializing in cybersecurity and privacy law. They discuss the evolving role of legal professionals in the cybersecurity landscape, the importance of vendor management and compliance, the challenges of data governance, and the necessity for effective communication between IT and legal teams. They also explore the nuances of privacy laws across different states and the impact of AI on legal practices.