> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.cybrsecmedia.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Cyber Distortion's Kevin Pentecost and Jason Popillion on Cyber Immortality, AI Companions and Security Risks - URL: https://www.cybrsecmedia.com/cyber-distortions-kevin-pentecost-and-jason-popillion-on-cyber-immortality-ai-companions-and-security-risks/ - Published: 2026-03-04T00:51:30.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-15T14:15:02.000Z - Description: They dig into emerging use cases like AI “companions,” virtual girlfriends/boyfriends, grief bots, and even “virtual immortality” where a chatbot continues posting and interacting on social media after someone’s death. - Author: Bill Brenner - Tags: podcast, CYBR.HAK.CAST, AI Security, Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, CYBR.HAK.CON. In this episode of **CYBR.HAK.CAST**, hosts **Phil** and **Michael** are joined by **Kevin Pentecost** (Information Security Director at SMP and co-host of the *Cyber Distortion* podcast) and **Jason Popillion** (Founder & CEO of Cipher Nova and co-host of *Cyber Distortion*). Michael and Sam kick things off with details on **CYBR.HAK.CON**, a new practitioner/hacker conference launching on **May 27, 2026** at the **Plano Event Center**. They highlight the call for papers (April 6–24), the call for villages, and a strong keynote lineup including **Jason Haddix**, **Wirefall (Dustin Dykes)**, **Hutch**, and **Tim Medine**. They also discuss how CYBR.HAK.CON extends the spirit of **CYB.SEC.CON (formerly HOU.SEC.CON)** by bringing a high-caliber hacker conference to the DFW area, complete with a podcast room and a CTF run by Hutch. From there, the conversation shifts to the world of **next‑generation AI chatbots**. Kevin and Jason dig into emerging use cases like AI “companions,” virtual girlfriends/boyfriends, grief bots, and even **“virtual immortality”** where a chatbot continues posting and interacting on social media after someone’s death. They explore how these capabilities can be abused, the psychological risk to vulnerable users, and the potential for scammers and threat actors to weaponize AI personas. Jason connects this to the recent hype around local AI agents (e.g., people rushing to buy **Mac minis** to run powerful agents at home). He questions the lack of security thinking around fully automated agents with broad access to online accounts, and walks through a real example of a content creator using multiple AI security agents via cron jobs where “cool automation” is prioritized over rigorous guardrails, logging, and verification. The group contrasts this with more secure patterns like **isolated sandboxes** and least‑privilege execution. Kevin and Jason also share their **career journeys**—from early coding days and higher‑ed systems to long tenures in the **automotive aftermarket**, cloud security work on early **Microsoft Azure** hybrid models, and eventually full‑time cybersecurity and enterprise AI. They talk about the origin and evolution of the **Cyber Distortion** podcast, how it grew out of repeated conference talks, and what’s new in **Season 5\.** The episode wraps with news that *Cyber Distortion* is now a **media partner for CYBR.HAK.CON**, alongside shows like *Barcode* and *Kill Chain Radio*, as they all work together to amplify security stories and education for the broader community. [Subscribe to the CYBR.SEC.Media newsletter](#/portal/signup/free) **Things Mentioned:** - AI chatbots and digital companions are reshaping emotional connection - [https://www.apa.org/monitor/2026/01-02/trends-digital-ai-relationships-emotional-connection](https://www.apa.org/monitor/2026/01-02/trends-digital-ai-relationships-emotional-connection?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - Meta Patented AI That Takes Over Your Account When You Die, Keeps Posting Forever - [https://futurism.com/future-society/meta-patented-ai-die-keeps-posting](https://futurism.com/future-society/meta-patented-ai-die-keeps-posting?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - AI griefbots could change how we mourn — but there are serious risks ahead - [https://www.livescience.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/ai-griefbots-could-change-how-we-mourn-but-there-are-serious-risks-ahead](https://www.livescience.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/ai-griefbots-could-change-how-we-mourn-but-there-are-serious-risks-ahead?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - OpenClaw founder Peter Steinberger joins OpenAI - [https://mashable.com/article/openclaw-founder-peter-steinberger-joins-openai](https://mashable.com/article/openclaw-founder-peter-steinberger-joins-openai?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - Cyber Distortion Podcast - [https://cyberdistortionpodcast.com](https://cyberdistortionpodcast.com/?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - CYBR.HAK.CON. - [https://www.cybrhakcon.com/](https://www.cybrhakcon.com/?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) Do you have a question for the hosts? Reach out to us at [media@cscgroupllc.com ](mailto:media@cscgroupllc.com) **Keep up with Our Events:** - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/cybrseccon/?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - [X](https://twitter.com/cybrseccon?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/cybrseccon) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/cybrsecmedia?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==) **Keep up with CYBR.SEC.Media:** - [LinkedIn](https://www.buzzsprout.com/2237227?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - [X](https://x.com/CYBRSECMedia?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575273111032) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/cybrsecmedia?igsh=ZjJ0ZHF1ejJ5NGo2&utm%5Fsource=qr) **Check out our other show:** - [CYBR.SEC.CAST](https://www.cybrsecmedia.com/tag/cybr-sec-cast-2/) **Check out our Conferences and Events:** - [CYBR.SEC.CON.](https://www.cybrseccon.com/?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - [OT.SEC.CON.](https://www.otseccon.com/?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - [CYBR.HAK.CON.](https://www.cybrhakcon.com/?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - [EXEC.SEC.CON.](https://www.execseccon.com/?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - [CSC User Group](https://www.cscusergroup.com/?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) **Support or apply to our Scholarship Program:** - [TAB Cyber Foundation](https://www.tabcyberfoundation.org/?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) **Subscribe to the podcast:** - [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hou-sec-cast/id1696627734?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/0h5ahb8oI1nAhGNI5IF4hE?si=d3c5ad65f13b4516&ref=cybrsecmedia.com) **Thank you to our Media Partners:** - **Thank you to our Media Partners:** - [Barcode Podcast](https://www.barcodesecurity.com/podcast?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - [Cyber Distortion Podcast](https://cyberdistortionpodcast.com/?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - [Kill Chain Radio](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/len-noe%5Fcoming-soon-activity-7427353254482755584-7ZSP/?utm%5Fsource=share&utm%5Fmedium=member%5Fdesktop&rcm=ACoAABItDFUBkOvd135bwOgGWtX0r5DL%5F-%5F1V7g) - [The Phillip Wylie Show](https://thehackermaker.com/pws-podcast/?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) **In this episode:** - Host: [Michael Farnum](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mfarnum/?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - Host: [Phillip Wylie](https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipwylie/?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - Guests: [Kevin Pentecost](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-pentecost-cissp-cism-ceh-cpt-4a61404/?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - Guest: [Jason Popillion](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-popillion-cissp-863a464/?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - Production and editing:[ Lauren Andrus](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenmandrus/?ref=cybrsecmedia.com) - Music by: [Kike Gutz](https://www.freepik.com/audio/artist/kike-gutz?ref=cybrsecmedia.com)