The Leanpub Frontmatter Podcast feat. Pete Zerger, Author of CISSP: The Last Mile

Episode Details

In this episode of the Frontmatter podcast, Len Epp interviews Pete Zerger, cybersecurity strategist and author of CISSP: The Last Mile. Pete shares his journey from IT into cybersecurity, discussing key concepts like cloud and endpoint security, and the significance of the CISSP exam for security professionals. He explains how his book helps readers prepare for the exam through targeted learning strategies, offering both comprehensive coverage and practical advice for mastering cybersecurity fundamentals.

Pete explains that his book, CISSP: The Last Mile, is designed for those pursuing the CISSP certification, a highly-regarded credential for cybersecurity professionals. Pete emphasizes the significance of the CISSP exam for career advancement in security roles, as it is one of the most in-demand certifications globally. His book is structured to help readers prepare efficiently by focusing on core exam topics and offering practical learning strategies. Pete’s approach draws from his own rapid-study methods, which allowed him to pass the CISSP exam on his first try after only two weeks of preparation.

During the interview, Pete discusses cybersecurity topics covered in his book, like endpoint and identity security, hybrid cloud environments, and the zero-trust model, where all users and devices must be verified regardless of location. He also explains advanced topics like post-quantum cryptography, which anticipates the impact of quantum computing on encryption. Pete describes how threat modelling and threat hunting are critical for assessing and managing potential vulnerabilities in an organization, highlighting how cybersecurity strategies must continually adapt to new risks.

Pete also shares insights into his content creation journey, from speaking at conferences to building a popular YouTube channel @InsideCloudAndSecurity for cybersecurity professionals. His channel now reaches thousands of viewers daily, far exceeding the audience he could connect with through in-person events. He reflects on how platforms like Leanpub have allowed him to reach readers directly, offering flexible formats and a high royalty rate, which enables him to price his book affordably for learners while receiving fair compensation.

Watch the full episode here.

This interview was recorded on November 7, 2024.

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About the Book

Like his popular CISSP exam prep series on YouTube, CISSP: The Last Mile is designed as a consolidated reference that makes advanced exam topics accessible, bringing focus to important exam topics, revealing the "what and why" of key exam concepts without wasting time or space.

About the Author

Pete is a vCISO, cloud and cybersecurity strategist, security architect, and cyber educator, leading hundreds of thousands of users to cybersecurity certifications in more than 50 countries.

New 📚 Release! CISSP: The Last Mile by Pete Zerger

Book 📚 Launch: CISSP: The Last Mile by Pete Zerger

Clips From This Episode of the Frontmatter Podcast

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