Podcast
The Cyber Funnel Podcast
Hosted by Thorn Compton · EN
This is The Cyber Funnel Podcast by Amplifyed, a show about cybersecurity and the industry leaders shaping the future of digital protection.
7episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How AI, Buyer Intent, and Trust Are Reshaping Cyber Marketing With Melissa Goldberger
6d ago00:29:22Tap to summarizeMelissa Goldberger is the Chief Marketing Officer at Nagomi Security, an AI-powered exposure management company that helps security teams identify, prioritize, and eliminate real cyber risk. A five-time cybersecurity CMO with more than 20 years of marketing and management experience, she specializes in scaling startups, building go-to-market engines, repositioning brands, and guiding companies through turnarounds and acquisitions. Melissa has held executive roles at OX Security, SafeBreach, Capsule8, Argyle Group, and 451 Research. In this episode… Cybersecurity buyers increasingly research on their own, while AI reshapes how marketers reach and understand them. With tighter budgets and noisier markets, clear messaging and relevant outreach matter more than ever. How can teams adapt without losing the human insight that builds trust? The answer, according to five-time cybersecurity CMO Melissa Goldberger, is to pair AI-enabled efficiency with a deep understanding of buyer problems, intent signals, and decision-making behavior. Rather than reuse a fixed playbook, teams should choose channels and messages based on the product, audience, and market conditions. Melissa recommends giving buyers useful information freely, building first-party intent systems, and using segmentation to create relevant experiences instead of automated spam. Strong alignment with sales, product, and security leaders keeps marketing grounded in a clear, honest, validated story. Sustainable growth comes from combining good marketing, a strong product, and genuine human expertise. In this episode of Cyber Funnel, Thorn Compton talks with Melissa Goldberger, Chief Marketing Officer at Nagomi Security, about how AI, buyer intent, and trust are reshaping cyber marketing. Melissa explains why static playbooks fail, how intent data can sharpen personalization, and why clear, validated messaging wins. She also touches on CMO-CISO alignment and the enduring value of human expertise.
Transcribe →Are You Ready for AI Adoption? AI Readiness With Tom Baker
3w ago00:30:10Tap to summarizeTom Baker is the Consulting Manager of Technical Advisory Services at Integrated Solutions Group (ISG), a consulting firm helping organizations execute complex transformation initiatives. In his role, Tom advises clients on data modernization, technical feasibility, enterprise strategy, and large‑scale transformation, guiding where and how AI can create measurable value while ensuring foundational systems, governance, and processes are in place for sustainable adoption. He helps organizations align strategy, talent, and technology to solve practical problems and improve operational outcomes. In this episode… In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, organizations are feeling pressure to adopt new technologies at breakneck speed. Many are diving into AI initiatives without fully understanding their readiness or the long-term impact. How can companies ensure they implement tools that actually drive measurable value? As a data modernization expert, Tom Baker explains that successful technology adoption begins with a strong foundation in data, systems, and processes. He emphasizes the importance of aligning people, infrastructure, and strategy before implementing AI, suggesting incremental approaches to modernization rather than attempting to solve everything at once. Tom offers practical guidance on identifying critical challenges, streamlining workflows, and establishing metrics to track improvements. By taking incremental steps, focusing on foundational systems, and engaging teams early, organizations can turn technology adoption into lasting operational improvements. In this episode of Cyber Funnel, Thorn Compton sits down with Tom Baker, Consulting Manager at Integrated Solutions Group (ISG), to discuss why AI readiness is crucial, how to modernize legacy systems, and strategies for sustainable adoption. Tom shares insights on prioritizing key pain points, aligning teams, and measuring success. He also touches on mentorship, leadership, and avoiding common adoption pitfalls.
Transcribe →Are You Ready for AI Adoption? AI Readiness With Tom Baker
3w ago00:30:10Tap to summarizeTom Baker is the Consulting Manager of Technical Advisory Services at Integrated Solutions Group (ISG), a consulting firm helping organizations execute complex transformation initiatives. In his role, Tom advises clients on data modernization, technical feasibility, enterprise strategy, and large‑scale transformation, guiding where and how AI can create measurable value while ensuring foundational systems, governance, and processes are in place for sustainable adoption. He helps organizations align strategy, talent, and technology to solve practical problems and improve operational outcomes. In this episode… In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, organizations are feeling pressure to adopt new technologies at breakneck speed. Many are diving into AI initiatives without fully understanding their readiness or the long-term impact. How can companies ensure they implement tools that actually drive measurable value? As a data modernization expert, Tom Baker explains that successful technology adoption begins with a strong foundation in data, systems, and processes. He emphasizes the importance of aligning people, infrastructure, and strategy before implementing AI, suggesting incremental approaches to modernization rather than attempting to solve everything at once. Tom offers practical guidance on identifying critical challenges, streamlining workflows, and establishing metrics to track improvements. By taking incremental steps, focusing on foundational systems, and engaging teams early, organizations can turn technology adoption into lasting operational improvements. In this episode of Cyber Funnel, Thorn Compton sits down with Tom Baker, Consulting Manager at Integrated Solutions Group (ISG), to discuss why AI readiness is crucial, how to modernize legacy systems, and strategies for sustainable adoption. Tom shares insights on prioritizing key pain points, aligning teams, and measuring success. He also touches on mentorship, leadership, and avoiding common adoption pitfalls.
Transcribe →How To Build a Custom SEO Strategy That Drives Qualified Leads
Jun 2400:31:45Tap to summarizeThorn Compton is a Search Engine Optimization Strategist at Amplifyed, an SEO and GEO agency that helps cybersecurity companies win visibility in Google and AI search. A former journalist, he brings an interview-driven mindset to content strategy, using subject matter expertise, buyer intent, and clear roadmaps to connect search performance with qualified leads. Thorn focuses on building authority, trust, and conversion-ready websites that support the full B2B buying journey. In this episode… A strong SEO strategy starts before the first keyword is chosen. It depends on knowing what a business sells, who it wants to reach, and how those buyers search when they are ready to solve a problem. So how can B2B teams build an SEO approach that attracts qualified leads instead of chasing traffic? The answer is to build a strategy from the buyer and the business goal outward. Thorn Compton, an SEO and GEO expert for cybersecurity companies, explains that an effective search strategy begins with clear messaging, persona research, and a focus on bottom-of-funnel opportunities. Rather than prioritizing high-volume educational keywords alone, Thorn recommends identifying the specific problems prospects are trying to solve and mapping those searches to service pages, content gaps, and conversion paths. The result is a more intentional roadmap where SEO, content, authority building, and AI search visibility all work together to support lead generation. In this episode of Cyber Funnel, Chad Franzen talks with Thorn Compton, Search Engine Optimization Strategist at Amplifyed, about building custom B2B SEO strategies that drive qualified leads. Thorn shares why buyer personas matter, how to prioritize bottom-of-funnel keywords, and what GEO means for AI search visibility. He also touches on content roadmaps, backlinks, FAQs, and LLM-ready content.
Transcribe →Balling on a Budget: Small-Team Cybersecurity Marketing Tips With Renee Haas for RedSeal
Jun 1700:25:30Tap to summarizeRenee Haas is the Senior Manager of Digital Marketing and Demand Generation at RedSeal, an AI-enabled exposure management company that helps organizations reduce cyber risk across hybrid environments. Renee helps shape go-to-market strategy, drive multichannel campaigns, support events and content, and connect with cybersecurity buyers as they search, learn, and evaluate solutions. With her experience at Wombat Security Technologies, Proofpoint, and RedSeal, she brings a practical perspective to building demand and brand awareness for lean, high-impact teams. In this episode… Cybersecurity buyers are moving faster, searching differently, and expecting answers on their own terms. For lean marketing teams, that means focusing less on being everywhere and more on showing up where it matters. How can small teams create meaningful impact without stretching themselves too thin? The answer is focus: understand where buyers are searching, what problems they are trying to solve, and how to meet them with useful, relevant content. Renee Haas, a cybersecurity marketing leader with expertise in digital marketing, demand generation, events, and buyer behavior, explains why smaller teams can still compete by listening closely, reworking existing assets, and showing up in the channels that matter most. Rather than chasing every tactic, Renee emphasizes building trust, creating practical content, using events strategically, and helping buyers self-educate. The result is a more intentional approach to marketing that connects lean execution with real buyer needs. In this episode of Cyber Funnel, Thorn Compton talks with Renee Haas, Senior Manager of Digital Marketing and Demand Generation at RedSeal, about lean cybersecurity marketing and exposure management. Renee shares how small teams prioritize channels, why buyer behavior is changing, and what companies miss about risk visibility. She also discusses the role of niche events, AI search, compliance, and hybrid environments.
Transcribe →Cybersecurity SEO Tips: Boost Traffic, Conversions, and AI Visibility With Scott Johnson
Jun 300:28:51Tap to summarizeScott Johnson is the Founder and President of Amplifyed, an SEO agency that helps cybersecurity and SaaS companies boost search visibility and drive qualified leads through strategic SEO and GEO marketing. With over a decade of experience in search optimization, Scott leads Amplifyed's focus on tailored content, AI search visibility, and organic growth strategies that transform how technical brands attract and convert customers. He also collaborates with industry leaders and speaks on SEO trends shaping the future of digital marketing. In this episode… Cybersecurity companies face a constant challenge: how to stand out in search results while driving meaningful leads. Even with growing traffic, conversion can remain elusive if content isn't aligned with buyer needs. How can organizations optimize both visibility and engagement in an increasingly AI-driven search world? Scott Johnson, an expert in cybersecurity SEO and GEO marketing, shares actionable strategies for achieving high-impact results. He emphasizes the importance of human-focused content, aligning messaging with buyer personas, and using industry-specific pages to generate faster leads. Scott also highlights leveraging AI and schema effectively, ensuring content is both discoverable and authoritative. By combining these techniques, teams can improve traffic, conversions, and overall marketing ROI. In this episode of Cyber Funnel, Thorn Compton chats with Scott Johnson, Founder and President of Amplifyed, to explore why cybersecurity SEO and GEO optimization are crucial for growth. Scott breaks down conversion-focused content, AI integration, and optimizing existing pages for better visibility. He also touches on compliance-focused content and FAQs and includes practical tips, technical insights, and strategies for turning search traffic into qualified leads.
Transcribe →How B2B SEO and AI Search Drive Better Leads With Thorn Compton
May 1900:37:46Tap to summarizeThorn Compton is a Search Engine Optimization Strategist at Amplifyed, an SEO and GEO agency that helps cybersecurity companies win visibility in Google and AI search. A former journalist, he brings an interview-driven mindset to content strategy, using subject matter expertise, buyer intent, and clear roadmaps to connect search performance with qualified leads. Thorn focuses on building authority, trust, and conversion-ready websites that support the full B2B buying journey. In this episode… Search today is no longer just about ranking for keywords; it is about becoming the trusted answer buyers find when they are ready to make a decision. For B2B companies, especially in technical industries, content has to do more than attract traffic — it has to build credibility, answer real questions, and support the sales process. So how can businesses create search strategies that generate visibility, authority, and qualified leads? The answer starts with treating SEO as a business growth strategy, not just a content checklist. Thorn Compton, an SEO and GEO strategist with a journalism background, explains how expert-led content, buyer intent, and strong communication can help companies show up in both Google and AI search. Thorn emphasizes the importance of interviewing subject matter experts, mapping keywords to the buyer journey, and aligning marketing with sales conversations so content attracts the right audience. From backlinks and E-E-A-T to conversion rate optimization and AI-ready answers, stronger search strategies can turn a website into a more effective sales asset. In this episode of Cyber Funnel, host Chad Franzen of Rise25 talks with Thorn Compton, Search Engine Optimization Strategist at Amplifyed, about why B2B SEO and AI search must work together to drive leads. Thorn shares how to build authority with expert content, why intent matters more than traffic, and how CRO turns clicks into conversions. He also touches on backlinks, content roadmaps, and future-proofing websites for AI search.
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