Meet Rapid7’s Deral Heiland—a self-described “visual historian” who balances high-tech research with hands-on artifacts from Roman coins to Civil War relics 🪙📷. We explore how tactile history sharpens perspective, why he resets daily in a 19th-century apothecary he built on his property ☕📖, and the real-world state of cybersecurity in 2025. Deral breaks down AI’s double-edge—amplifying attackers while supercharging defenders—and why small businesses should lean on managed services and a 24/7 SOC instead of drowning in tools 🧰➡️🛰️. He previews his Cyber Bay talk on IoT end-of-life risks and pushes leaders to treat connected devices as business enablement—not a boogeyman. We also dig into sustainable work habits after burning out on 16-hour days, health turnarounds, and making weekends sacred for family and antique-hunting 👨‍👩‍👧🛍️. If you care about AI, IoT, and practical security (without the hype), this conversation delivers field-tested wisdom and a few great stories.

🌟 Top 3 Highlights:

AI in security: threat accelerator and research force-multiplier 🤖⚔️.

SMB reality: consider managed services/SOC over DIY tool sprawl 🏢🆚🛰️.

IoT end-of-life: disposal methods can make or break risk posture 🔌🗑️.