Ready to level up your defensive cybersecurity skills? In this episode of Simply Defensive, Josh Mason and Wade Wells sit down with Dan Regalado and Belem — the founders of Hack Defender Academy — to explore how they’re using CTF-style challenges, real malware cases, and gamification to prepare the next generation of defenders.

💡 We cover:

• Why gamified, CTF-style learning works better than traditional training
• How Hack Defender Academy helps beginners grow into skilled malware analysts
• The role of AI in threat research — friend, foe, or both?
• The importance of staying hungry and keeping your edge as a blue teamer

🚨 Special Gift for Our Listeners: Hack Defender Academy is giving away one free certification pass! Details in the episode.

🔗 Links from the episode

Hack Defender Academy
🌐 Website: academy.hack-defender.com
▶️ YouTube: Hack Defender Official
📱 TikTok: @HackDefOfficial
📸 Instagram: @HackDefOfficial
🐦 X (Twitter): @HackDefOfficial
💼 LinkedIn: Hack Defender
📘 Facebook: Hack Defender

Connect with our guests
🔹 Dan Regalado – LinkedIn
🔹 Belem – LinkedIn

Simply Defensive Podcast
🎧 Spotify: Simply Defensive
🎧 Apple: Simply Defensive

Sponsor
💼 Thanks to ThreatLocker for supporting this episode.

👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, hit Like, Subscribe, and ring the 🔔 so you don’t miss our weekly episodes!
Drop a comment with the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a blue teamer — we’d love to hear your story.

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Sponsored by ThreatLocker - Free 30-day trial of ThreatLocker
https://www.threatlocker.com/simplydefensive
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Connect with your hosts:
Josh Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacmason
Wade Wells: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wadingthrulogs
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https://SimplyCyber.io/Socials
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This podcast is presented by Simply Cyber Media Group