Patrick Kelley to Speak at RSAC™ 2025 on Mental Health in Cybersecurity

We are thrilled to announce that Patrick Kelley, CEO of Léargas Security and a passionate advocate for mental health in cybersecurity, will be presenting at the upcoming RSAC™ 2025 Conference in San Francisco. His session, titled “Mental Health in Cybersecurity: Balancing the Scales,” will take place on April 29, 2025, from 1:15 PM to 2:05 PM Pacific Time at the Moscone Center.

This session is part of the Inclusive Culture & Workforce Development track, highlighting the growing importance of mental well-being in our fast-paced and high-pressure industry. Patrick’s talk will delve into the unique mental health challenges faced by cybersecurity professionals, from combating burnout and imposter syndrome to fostering resilience in the face of unrelenting demands.

Patrick’s session will offer practical strategies and actionable takeaways for attendees to address these challenges head-on, enabling them to prioritize mental health without compromising on success. Whether you’re grappling with stress or seeking ways to create a more supportive work environment, this session is not to be missed.

RSAC™ 2025 is one of the premier events in the cybersecurity industry, bringing together experts, innovators, and thought leaders from around the globe. This year’s theme, “Many Voices. One Community,” reflects the conference’s mission to foster collaboration and inclusivity within the cybersecurity space.

We are proud to have Patrick represent Léargas Security at this world-renowned event. Join us to explore how we can collectively build a healthier, more sustainable future for those in cybersecurity.

Wishing You Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year

As the holiday season is upon us, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support, collaboration, and trust throughout the year. Whether you’ve been a customer, a partner, or an attendee at one of my talks, you’ve played a vital role in making this year meaningful and impactful.

The holidays are a time to reflect on our shared successes and to look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead. Your contributions to our journey have been invaluable, and I’m honoured to have worked with you this year.

From everyone here at Léargas Security, we wish you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season filled with peace, happiness, and cherished memories. May the New Year bring renewed energy, prosperity, and continued success.

Warmest wishes,
Patrick Kelley
CEO, Léargas Security

Revolutionizing Security Operations: The Path Toward AI-Augmented SOCs

Exploring the Processes, Challenges, and Path Toward AI-Augmented Security Operations Centers (SOC)

Security Operations Centers (SOCs) face mounting challenges in staying ahead of increasingly sophisticated threats. At Léargas Security, our XDR platform has been designed with a focus on the Energy and Critical Infrastructure sectors, helping organizations navigate these challenges while preparing for a future where artificial intelligence (AI) transforms SOC workflows.

Here, we explore the transformative potential of AI-augmented SOCs, leveraging insights from Francis (Software Analyst) and collaborators, along with real-world case studies.

SOC Challenges in 2024

SOCs face significant hurdles that inhibit their ability to respond swiftly and effectively to security incidents:

  • Alert Fatigue: High alert volumes often overwhelm analysts, contributing to burnout and missed detections.
  • Resource Constraints: Skilled personnel shortages, coupled with the high cost of maintaining SOC infrastructures, present operational barriers.
  • Legacy Limitations: Traditional automation tools, while promising, have fallen short in scalability, adaptability, and cost-effectiveness.

AI-Augmented SOCs: Transforming Security Workflows

AI offers an opportunity to address these challenges through:

  1. Automated Alert Triage: By reducing noise, AI ensures analysts focus on the most critical alerts.
  2. Enriched Threat Data: Integrating threat intelligence into AI-driven workflows empowers faster, more accurate decision-making.
  3. Optimized Incident Response: AI enables rapid containment and remediation, reducing Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) and Mean Time to Respond (MTTR).

The Role of AI in XDR

At Léargas Security, we integrate AI into our XDR platform to provide comprehensive visibility and actionability across critical infrastructure environments. Key capabilities include:

  • Proactive Defense: Advanced LLMs enable predictive threat detection, shifting SOC operations from reactive to proactive.
  • Streamlined Workflows: AI assists in automating repetitive tasks, freeing analysts to focus on strategic challenges like threat hunting and compliance management.
  • Actionable Intelligence: AI-powered enrichment adds context to alerts, allowing SOC teams to differentiate real threats from false positives with greater precision.

Building Toward a Unified AI-Powered SOC

The journey to full AI integration involves overcoming barriers such as:

  • Trust and Transparency: AI solutions must offer explainable and reliable outputs to build trust with SOC teams.
  • Customizability: Enterprises require flexible systems capable of adapting to unique environments.
  • Human-in-the-Loop Models: AI should complement, not replace, human analysts, ensuring critical decisions remain in expert hands.

Léargas Security’s XDR platform addresses these challenges by integrating seamlessly with existing tools and providing intuitive AI-driven assistance, tailored to the unique needs of energy and critical infrastructure organizations.

Real-World Impact

A notable case study demonstrates the power of AI-powered SOC automation:

  • Alert Enrichment: AI analyzed anomalous activity, enriched data with threat intelligence, and flagged the incident as a high-priority alert.
  • Proactive Response: Automated workflows isolated the compromised device and generated actionable insights for Tier 2 analysts.
  • Continuous Improvement: The system updated detection rules and enriched threat intelligence repositories, strengthening defenses against future incidents.

Looking Ahead

The future of SOCs lies in hyperautomation and AI-driven workflows that combine human expertise with machine efficiency. At Léargas Security, we’re committed to driving this evolution, ensuring that organizations in the Energy and Critical Infrastructure sectors remain resilient against ever-evolving threats.

Ready to revolutionize your SOC with AI-augmented XDR? Explore how Léargas Security can transform your operations.

Learn More About Léargas Security’s XDR Platform

Spotlight on Daniel Margolin: A Rising Star at Leargas Security and The Mentor Project

At Leargas Security, we believe in empowering individuals to reach their full potential, and this week, we’re thrilled to highlight the incredible journey of Daniel Margolin, a mentee with The Mentor Project (TMP). Daniel’s story is one of resilience, determination, and growth, and we’re proud to have him as part of our team.

From Adversity to Achievement
Daniel’s path has been anything but easy. After enduring years of health challenges and navigating the competitive job market following a coding bootcamp, he struggled to find his footing. However, everything changed when he was introduced to TMP Mentor Fred C. Klein. Under Fred’s guidance, Daniel connected with an extraordinary network of mentors, including Jeff C. Jensen and Patrick Kelley, founder of Leargas Security.

With support from TMP, Daniel found not just professional mentorship but also a community that believed in his potential. As he describes it:

“Fred went above and beyond helping me. He set me up with multiple TMP Mentors like Jeff C. Jensen and Patrick Kelley. Jeff met with me multiple times and gave me a lot of good advice and moral support to keep searching. I am currently working part-time as a Full-stack Developer for Leargas Security under Patrick Kelley, which has given me a lot of experience and boosted my career forward.”

Making an Impact Beyond Leargas Security
Daniel’s contributions don’t stop at Leargas Security. He dedicates his time and talents to making the world a better place. As the Web Master for Hair We Share, he supports a charity that creates wigs for individuals experiencing medical hair loss. Additionally, he serves as Web Master for the Malta Conferences Foundation, which promotes peace in the Middle East through science diplomacy.

His commitment to giving back mirrors the values of both TMP and Leargas Security: fostering a collaborative and purpose-driven community.

The Power of Mentorship
Daniel credits much of his success to the support he received through TMP. Over the last year, he has grown not only as a developer but also as a leader and changemaker.

“The meetings, Zooms, and support system of TMP have been invaluable to me over this last year, and I am looking forward to continue being a part of TMP!”

A Bright Future Ahead
Daniel’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship, perseverance, and a community that believes in its members. At Leargas Security, we’re proud to support Daniel as he continues to thrive, inspire, and make a difference.

We look forward to celebrating more of Daniel’s achievements in the future. Stay tuned for updates on his journey through our social media channels and website!

Leargas Security: Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators

Wishing You a Joyful Thanksgiving Day from All of Us at Léargas Security

As we gather this Thanksgiving, we’re reminded of the values that drive us: connection, trust, and gratitude. This season, we want to take a moment to extend our deepest thanks to you—our valued customers, partners, and those we’ve had the privilege of meeting at conferences and events.

Your trust in Léargas Security fuels our commitment to safeguarding what matters most. Together, we protect, support, and innovate in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.

It’s an honor to stand alongside you, helping secure your organizations and ensuring your success. Your dedication inspires us, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to be part of your journey.

Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with warmth, joy, and meaningful moments with your loved ones. Thank you for being part of our story.

Warm wishes,
Patrick Kelley
CEO, Léargas Security

Eliminate Cloud Blind Spots and Strengthen Security with Léargas Security

Eliminate Cloud Blind Spots and Strengthen Security with Léargas Security
As more organizations shift their workloads to the cloud, ensuring full visibility and control over their cloud environments becomes increasingly challenging. Security and compliance risks are higher than ever, especially with the growing complexity of multi-cloud infrastructures. One critical issue many organizations face is the lack of visibility into east-west traffic—the data moving between cloud-based workloads and systems within your network. This often-overlooked traffic can hide potential threats, making it harder to detect and mitigate attacks.

Enter Léargas Security: Comprehensive Cloud Visibility for a Secure Future
Léargas Security offers a solution to this challenge with deep observability across both private and public cloud environments. Whether you are migrating to the cloud or managing a hybrid infrastructure, Léargas Security ensures that you maintain complete visibility and control over your network, reducing the risk of security breaches and optimizing network performance.

Here’s how Léargas Security can help:

1. Unified Visibility Across Multi-Cloud Environments
One of the biggest hurdles in cloud migration is gaining consistent visibility across all cloud platforms. With Léargas Security, you get a unified view of all data in motion across your private and public cloud environments, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). This comprehensive visibility allows you to monitor and analyze network traffic, identify potential vulnerabilities, and ensure that nothing goes unnoticed.

2. Optimize Traffic Flow from Any Cloud Workload to Any Tool
Léargas Security simplifies the process of managing traffic flows between your workloads and your security or observability tools. Whether it’s optimizing network performance or ensuring that traffic reaches the right destination, Léargas Security ensures you can easily send and process traffic from any cloud workload to any destination. This level of flexibility means your network monitoring tools are always receiving the right data, enhancing your ability to make informed security decisions.

3. Rich, Contextual Network Metadata for Deeper Insights
Léargas Security doesn’t just provide basic metrics, logs, and traces. It sends rich, contextual network metadata that enables your tools to gain deeper insights into network activities. This metadata offers a more detailed understanding of traffic patterns, application behaviors, and potential anomalies. By going beyond traditional log and event-based monitoring, Léargas Security ensures you have a more holistic view of your network’s health and security posture.

4. Maintain Consistent Security and Compliance Across Cloud Environments
As organizations adopt multi-cloud architectures, maintaining a consistent security posture becomes critical. With Léargas Security, you can ensure that security policies and compliance requirements are met across all your cloud environments, whether private or public. By providing centralized visibility into network traffic and data movement, Léargas Security helps you monitor and enforce security policies consistently across all your cloud resources.

5. Eliminate East-West Traffic Blind Spots
One of the most difficult areas to monitor in cloud environments is east-west traffic—the communication between cloud workloads. These interactions are often overlooked in traditional security solutions, but they represent a significant potential attack vector. Léargas Security ensures that even east-west traffic is captured, analyzed, and protected. By eliminating these blind spots, Léargas Security helps you detect hidden threats that might otherwise evade detection.

6. Seamless Integration with Existing Tools and Workflows
Migrating to the cloud can introduce new tools, processes, and workflows. However, Léargas Security integrates easily with your existing security and observability tools, reducing operational friction. Whether you’re using VMware, Kubernetes, or public cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP, Léargas Security scales to fit your infrastructure, ensuring that you don’t have to learn new processes or disrupt your operations.

7. Support for Both Private and Public Cloud Environments
Whether your organization is fully embracing the public cloud or maintaining a hybrid or private cloud infrastructure, Léargas Security provides the intelligence needed for virtualized workloads. It supports key platforms like VMware, Nutanix, Kubernetes, and OpenStack, while also providing visibility into your workloads running in public cloud environments. This makes it easier to monitor traffic across all your cloud environments without gaps in visibility.

Why Cloud Visibility is Critical
As organizations embrace the cloud, securing data, networks, and workloads becomes a top priority. Traditional on-premise security solutions may not be able to address the unique challenges posed by the cloud, especially when it comes to monitoring the complex, distributed nature of modern multi-cloud environments. Without comprehensive cloud visibility, organizations risk missing critical threats and falling short of compliance requirements.

Léargas Security provides a robust solution by offering deep observability, empowering organizations to detect and mitigate threats in real time, enhance network performance, and ensure a secure cloud infrastructure. With its rich contextual insights, consistent security posture, and seamless integration, Léargas Security is designed to address the challenges of today’s cloud-first world.

Conclusion
As cloud adoption continues to rise, ensuring full visibility into all aspects of your cloud environments is crucial for maintaining security and compliance. Léargas Security enables organizations to overcome the challenges of cloud migration by providing deep visibility into network traffic, eliminating blind spots, and reducing security risks.

By using Léargas Security, you gain the confidence that your multi-cloud infrastructure is secure, optimized, and fully visible, helping you stay ahead of potential threats and ensuring your organization’s data remains safe in the cloud.

Ready to eliminate cloud blind spots and strengthen your security posture?
Discover how Léargas Security can help you gain complete visibility across your cloud environments. Contact us today for more information!

Navigating the Cybersecurity Challenges Facing Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMCs)

Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMCs) are the backbone of rural energy distribution, powering communities across the nation, especially in regions like rural North Carolina. However, many of these cooperatives are facing an unprecedented set of challenges—struggling with outdated equipment, understaffed teams, and limited budgets. On top of that, they are often reliant on overpriced vendors that further strain their resources.

For EMCs, the stakes are high. They don’t just manage power distribution—they’re responsible for critical infrastructure that supports not just electricity, but vital services such as water and food supply chains. A single cyberattack or security breach on a cooperative could trigger widespread outages, potentially impacting millions and disrupting essential services. In rural areas, where many food sources are produced, the consequences of such a breach could be catastrophic.

Unfortunately, many EMCs cannot afford the luxury of a dedicated cybersecurity team. Instead, IT directors or small teams often have to juggle cybersecurity with a host of other responsibilities. This makes it difficult to adequately protect these organizations from growing cyber threats. The reality is that the risk is too great for these cooperatives to navigate on their own without the right tools and support.

Introducing Leargas: Tailored Cybersecurity for EMCs

At Leargas, we understand the unique challenges faced by EMCs. That’s why we’ve developed an AI-powered, Zeek-based Extended Detection and Response (XDR) platform specifically designed to meet the needs of these cooperatives. Leargas offers a comprehensive, robust security solution that provides critical insights into your network’s health without straining already limited budgets.

Our platform is designed to give you the protection you need—without the need for additional staff or resources. For EMCs, this means saving between $45,000 and $200,000 annually while still benefiting from an advanced suite of cybersecurity features.

Key Benefits of Leargas for EMCs:

  • Cost Savings: EMCs can save significantly on their security costs, with some organizations reducing their annual cybersecurity expenses by tens of thousands of dollars.
  • Comprehensive Protection: Leargas provides a full suite of security features that go beyond basic threat detection. Our XDR platform continuously monitors and analyzes your network to detect and respond to threats in real-time.
  • AI-Powered Insights: With AI-driven intelligence, Leargas provides deeper insights into potential vulnerabilities and threats, enabling faster, more effective responses to security incidents.
  • Personalized Support: When you reach out for help, you won’t be met with a generic call center. Our team of experienced professionals understands the unique needs of EMCs and is dedicated to providing you with the urgent, tailored support you need.

Protecting Critical Infrastructure for Communities

Cybersecurity is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. EMCs are responsible for protecting not just their own operations but the infrastructure that millions of people rely on every day. The consequences of a cyberattack are too great to ignore.

At Leargas, we are committed to helping EMCs safeguard their operations and protect the communities they serve. With our easy-to-implement, cost-effective solution, you don’t have to face these challenges alone. Together, we can help ensure that your cooperative is resilient in the face of an ever-evolving cyber threat landscape.

The road ahead may be challenging, but with Leargas, you have a trusted partner in your corner, ready to help you navigate the complexities of modern cybersecurity and secure your critical infrastructure.

Learn More About How Leargas Can Help Your EMC Stay Secure
For more information, contact us today and discover how our AI-powered XDR platform can help your cooperative reduce costs and improve security.

Upcoming Event: Balancing Mental Health in Cybersecurity – Join Our December Session with Patrick Kelley

Cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting data; it’s about protecting people—ourselves included. At Léargas Security, we know firsthand the weight of constant threats, the ever-evolving landscape of cyber risks, and the toll it can take on the mental well-being of those in the trenches. That’s why we’re proud to have our own Patrick Kelley speaking at the ISC2 Saskatchewan Chapter event, focusing on Mental Health in Cybersecurity: Balancing the Scales.

Join us on December 5th, 2024, at 6:00 PM CST for an open discussion about the unique mental health challenges facing cybersecurity professionals today. Patrick will cover essential strategies for managing stress, preventing burnout, and creating a culture that supports resilience.

This is a session you won’t want to miss. Special thanks to the ISC2 Saskatchewan board members—TJ Odugbesan, Milton Calnek, Imran Khan, Dallas Bobryk, Sean McKim, and Dr. Kayode Alawonde—for making this conversation possible.

Register here: https://lnkd.in/g76H8HUG
Let’s redefine what it means to be strong in cybersecurity.

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Cybersecurity Beyond the Screen: Patrick Kelley’s Journey on the After 40 Podcast

“Cybersecurity is more than just tech; it’s about resilience and adaptability,” shares Patrick Kelley, CEO of Léargas Security, in a candid conversation with Dr. Deborah Heiser on the After 40 Podcast. Patrick’s path in cybersecurity—spanning over three decades—has been defined by a relentless commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructures and a deep respect for the psychological toll that comes with defending against constantly evolving threats.

The Heart of Cybersecurity

On the podcast, Patrick dives into what makes cybersecurity both demanding and fulfilling. “You’re not just protecting networks—you’re protecting people,” he explains. In an industry where threats don’t take breaks, cybersecurity becomes more than a career; it’s a calling. Patrick emphasizes that it’s a field where success requires resilience and adaptability, where yesterday’s approaches won’t work for tomorrow’s problems.

The Human Element in Cybersecurity

Patrick brings a unique perspective to the field, especially as a leader who’s experienced the pressures and rewards of cybersecurity after 40. He speaks openly about the reality of burnout and the toll cybersecurity can take on mental health. “Staying mentally strong is just as important as staying technically sharp,” he shares. In an industry notorious for high stress, Patrick underscores the importance of mental resilience, which has helped him balance the demands of his role while staying mission-driven.

Thriving Through Change

Adaptability, Patrick explains, is the cornerstone of success in cybersecurity. As CEO of Léargas Security, he leads with a mindset of continuous growth and curiosity. “If you’re comfortable, you’re not growing,” he notes. This philosophy fuels the innovative approach at Léargas, where cutting-edge security solutions are guided by a commitment to integrity and impact.

Advice for Aspiring Cybersecurity Professionals

For those new to cybersecurity or considering a career change, Patrick’s message is clear: “There’s a place for anyone willing to learn and adapt.” He encourages individuals to bring their unique strengths to the field, regardless of age or background, and to find purpose in the work that protects our digital and physical worlds.

Patrick’s conversation with Dr. Heiser is a reminder that cybersecurity is about more than technology. It’s about people—those dedicated to learning, evolving, and safeguarding what matters most.

Listen to the full episode on the After 40 Podcast for more insights from Patrick Kelley on cybersecurity, mental health, and building a fulfilling, purpose-driven career in this dynamic field.

Listen Here

1BusinessWorld welcomes Patrick Kelley to speak about Mental Health and Burnout Prevention

Cybersecurity professionals operate in an environment where the stakes are high, the hours are long, and the demands are relentless. At Léargas Security, we understand that mental health in this field requires just as much attention as technical skills and knowledge. With cyber threats evolving and resources often stretched thin, burnout, imposter syndrome, and concentration issues have become common struggles for those in cybersecurity.

In an upcoming talk at 1BusinessWorld’s event on Mental Health in Cybersecurity, Léargas Security CEO Patrick Kelley will explore the unique mental health challenges cybersecurity professionals face and provide actionable solutions to promote resilience in this demanding industry.

The Pressure Cooker: Understanding Cybersecurity’s Mental Health Crisis

The field of cybersecurity is unforgiving, with constant threats and a lack of “clock-out” time. Many teams report feeling understaffed and under-resourced, an issue underscored by studies from ISACA and Huntress. This environment puts professionals in a high-stress “pressure cooker,” where continuous work without adequate support can quickly lead to burnout. Léargas Security emphasizes the need for organizations to recognize these challenges and invest in mental health resources as a priority, not an afterthought.

Imposter Syndrome: Overcoming Self-Doubt

Imposter syndrome is a persistent issue for many cybersecurity professionals, often pushing them to overwork in an attempt to prove their worth. Despite their accomplishments, professionals can experience a sense of inadequacy, which only adds to their stress. Kelley will discuss how imposter syndrome manifests in cybersecurity and share strategies to counter self-doubt, encouraging a focus on achievements and building confidence within the field.

Sleep and Concentration: Addressing Essential Needs

Cybersecurity’s 24/7 nature means irregular hours, late-night emergencies, and high-stress deadlines. This lifestyle often leads to sleep deprivation, impacting focus, decision-making, and mental clarity. Léargas Security advocates for practical strategies to combat sleep issues, such as maintaining a consistent schedule, creating a conducive sleep environment, and managing alcohol intake. Addressing sleep deprivation is essential for enhancing focus and resilience in a demanding industry.

Building Resilience: Effective Coping Mechanisms

To navigate the unique pressures of cybersecurity, professionals need strong coping strategies. Kelley will highlight the importance of setting boundaries, taking scheduled breaks, and fostering a culture of peer support. By prioritizing mental health, cybersecurity professionals can build resilience, reducing burnout and promoting long-term effectiveness.

Join Léargas Security at the Mental Health in Cybersecurity Event

Addressing mental health in cybersecurity is vital for the longevity and success of professionals and organizations alike. Léargas Security invites you to learn more at 1BusinessWorld’s Mental Health in Cybersecurity event, where Patrick Kelley will share insights and practical steps to balance the scales and protect mental well-being in the cybersecurity industry.