Astro Information Security

From fixing watches to tracking cyber threats at Microsoft —all in just over a year. Sounds impossible? Not for Jibby Saetang. On the FIRST episode of KO’s Launchpad, we sit down with Jibby, a Security Researcher on Microsoft’s GHOST team and Threat Intel Content Lead at KC7: The Cyber Detective Game. He tracks down advanced adversaries, helps defend global enterprises, and speaks at top conferences like SANS Institute BSides, and Blue Team Con. But here’s the wild part, Jibby never took the "traditional" IT path. No formal experience. No certs. No degree. Instead, he went all in on KC7, turning cybersecurity into an obsession rather than a checklist. That passion changed everything. We’ll talk about: ? How gamified learning launched his cybersecurity career? ? Why passion > credentials in cybersecurity ? How YOU can break in (even without certifications) If you’re looking for real talk, inspiration, and actionable advice, this episode is a must-listen. Dropping on Monday 10AM, PST—stay tuned! ?? Catch us here: https://lnkd.in/eiEPygTK Simeon Kakpovi #Cybersecurity #InfoSec #CareerHacking #ThreatIntel #Podcast #KOsLaunchpad #JibbySaetang #CybersecurityCareers #CybersecurityExperts #AstroInfoSec

Cybersecurity is full of opportunities, and many people don’t realize what’s within their reach. From hacking to defense, strategy to innovation—there’s a place for you in this industry. I’m K.O., your host. My path in cybersecurity has taken me from NASA’s security operations to protecting large enterprises at Cisco. But I didn’t start there. Before working in tech, I led teams as a Toastmasters Club President and even managed a Chipotle. Now, as the CEO of Astro Information Security (a San Francisco-based firm specializing in penetration testing and MXDR), I focus on solving security challenges while helping others find their own way in this field. Along the way, I’ve earned a handful of industry certifications and have had the chance to work on some exciting projects. More than anything, I’m passionate about helping people break into cybersecurity and grow their careers. I’ve mentored professionals into high-earning tech roles, and I know firsthand how important guidance can be. On this podcast, I’ll be sharing insights, real stories, and practical advice. I’ve traveled across the U.S. to sit down with experts and explore how cybersecurity skills can open doors to new opportunities. Stay tuned—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss. ?? Career switcher? Our first episode is for you: https://lnkd.in/eiEPygTK #Cybersecurity #Podcast #Leadership #AstroInfoSec #Mentorship #CareerGrowth #KOsLaunchpad #CybersecurityCareers #CybersecurityExperts

Okay, let’s be real... when I first set my sights on cybersecurity, it wasn’t just curiosity that pulled me in. I saw the earning potential and knew I had to figure out how to get there. But what started as a money-driven goal turned into something much bigger. Cybersecurity isn’t just a high-paying field. It’s a world of constant challenges, wins, and lessons that can change your career (and your life). That’s why I’m launching K.O.'s Launchpad, a podcast for anyone who’s ever wondered: ?? How do I break into cyber? ?? How do I level up my skills? ?? Where do I even begin? Each episode, we’ll dive into real stories, practical strategies, and the unfiltered truth about making it in this industry. The journey into cybersecurity isn’t always a straight path BUT with the right guidance, it’s 100% possible. If you’re ready to take that next step, you won’t want to miss this. Stay tuned! Catch us here: https://lnkd.in/eiEPygTK #PodcastLaunch #KOsLaunchpad #AstroInfoSec #CybersecurityCareers #Infosec

We’re excited to welcome Stephanie S. as our Chief Product Officer at Astro! Stephanie is a cybersecurity powerhouse with over a decade of experience spanning security, sales, and product leadership. As CPO, she will drive sales, marketing, and product strategy, ensuring a seamless bridge between security and business. We’re thrilled to have her on our leadership team and can’t wait to see the impact she makes! Welcome, Stephanie! More about Astro: We’re a team of cybersecurity leaders with 100+ years of collective experience and a track record of securing NASA, Amazon, Visa, and Meta. Learn what brought us together to make nation-state-grade security standards available to companies of all sizes. Schedule a call with us to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gx9rk4i9 #Cybersecurity #AstroInfoSec #InfoSec #MXDR #PenTesting

Finally we are launching… K.O.’s Launchpad (Presented by Astro Information Security) brings you real stories & insights from industry pros who prove there’s more than one path to success. ???? Meet K.O. – From wrapping burritos to leading security teams at NASA and helping protect billion-dollar companies at Cisco to now founder of Astro Information Security and host of K.O.'s Launchpad. ?? Why Listen? ? Learn from experts who broke to cybersecurity ? Discover different cybersecurity career paths ? Get actionable advice and start your own journey ?? Episode 1 Guest: He is a former watchmaker who went from zero IT experience to security researcher at Microsoft’s GHOST team! Can you guess who? ?? New episodes every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts (and other streaming platforms).? #KOsLaunchpad #AstroInfoSec #CybersecurityCareers #CybersecurityExperts #PodcastLaunch #InfoSec

Guess what’s launching soon? So back in 2015, I started out wrapping burritos at Chipotle, dreaming of something bigger but never imagined I’d end up here. Fast forward to 2025, I’m in a field where the stakes are high, the wins are huge, and the journey is anything but ordinary. I’ve met some of the smartest, most badass people along the way, and now I’m bringing their stories, insights, and real-talk advice straight to you. All I’ll say for now—if you’re looking to break in, level up, or master the game, this is for you. Stay tuned. ?? #InfoSec #Mentorship #Cybersecurity #Leadership #CareerGrowth #AstroInfoSec

Join us to hear how the former CFO of Pacsun, BowFlex, and Gap Inc. China, Aina Konold and ex-Nasa cybersecurity analyst and founder of Astro Information Security, K.O. Orias, CISSP think about the key intersection of finance and cybersecurity on March 13th! We'll cover key strategies for protecting financial data from cyber threats, explore trends in financial systems fraud, and share best practices for strengthening digital security. Register now for this and more in our Empowering Finance teams for Success webinar series! https://lnkd.in/g5TaGk_C

So excited for this event! Before my tenure at Astro Information Security, I had the good fortune of partnering with organizations to support their HCM and financial transformational journey through cloud-based enterprise solutions. Looking forward to gaining unique perspectives on how EPM solutions and cybersecurity work in concert with one another to drive organizational success. Thank you to Joseph Denk and the broader team at PlanSimpli for hosting!

We're excited to join PlanSimpli for a joint webinar next Thursday! Aina Konold, Joseph Denk, and K.O. Orias, CISSP will discuss the importance of the oCFO and oCISO taking a collaborative approach to empower their organizations for success. This is one you won't want to miss! ? When: 3/13, 10:00am - 10:30am PDT ?? Sign up today: https://lnkd.in/g5TaGk_C

?? Exciting Update! ?? Astro Information Security just published a new blog article, “3 Reasons to Go For Managed Detection & Response” ??. In today’s ever-evolving cyber threat landscape, having the right detection and response strategy is critical. This article dives into why MDR might be the game-changer your organization needs. ? Discover how MDR can elevate your security posture ? Learn about its unique benefits over traditional approaches ? Get insights to make informed decisions Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gBM5KJ9a Let me know your thoughts—would love to hear how others are approaching MDR in their organizations! #cybersecurity #MDR #MXDR #threatdetection #blogupdate