Ryan Montgomery, also known as 0day, is a renowned cybersecurity professional and the founder of Pentester.com. He is currently ranked #1 globally on TryHackMe and has made significant contributions to online safety and child protection. In addition to his cybersecurity expertise, Ryan serves as the CTO at the Sentinel Foundation, an organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and child exploitation. Through his work, Ryan educates the public on the threats of the digital world, especially those that affect children. This is his journey and vision in his own words.
Could you briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Ryan Montgomery also known as 0day, a cybersecurity professional (Founder of Pentester.com) & child safety advocate, currently ranked #1 globally on TryHackMe. I am passionate about protecting children online, advocating for online safety, and combating human trafficking through the Sentinel Foundation, where I serve as the CTO. I create short form content on all platforms to educate parents and the average person about threats online.
Could you describe your initiative/startup’s purpose and vision and how it benefits its target audience?
As a Founder of Pentester.com, I focus on leveraging technology to help individuals minimize their digital footprints and stay informed about risks tied to their personal identities. In my role as CTO at Sentinel Foundation, we are dedicated to combating child exploitation and human trafficking, employing advanced methodologies and collaborating with our exceptional team to carry out critical operations.
As far as entrepreneurship is concerned, your journey is quite inspiring. What are some of your most significant accomplishments and how did you achieve them?
One of my most significant accomplishments is teaming up with some of the most talented people in the world to combat some of the worst, fighting against child abuse and human trafficking. Additionally, being invited to some of the largest podcasts globally, including The Shawn Ryan Show, Patrick Bet-David Podcast, Adin Ross, Jordan Harbinger, Scammer Payback, Trilogy Media, and many others, has been an incredible honor. Lastly, while amassing millions of followers on social media was never a goal, I am immensely grateful that so many people are interested in and willing to engage with my content.
Being an entrepreneur, what kind of response have you received from your users/consumers?
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. People connect with my message of online safety, particularly when it comes to protecting children from predators. I have received heartfelt feedback from followers and families who are grateful for the advice and insights I share. Additionally, I’ve received many letters, emails, and calls from agencies (FBI, HSI, ICAC, SS, Special Forces, etc) around the world, expressing their appreciation for some of the work I’ve accomplished, reaching a place I never imagined I’d be in a million years.
In what ways has your life changed since you began your entrepreneurial journey?
My life has become a wild mix of passion and serious responsibility. This journey has pushed me to continuously evolve, stay up to date with the latest technologies and threats, and build meaningful connections. For most of my life, I’ve been “low-key” or “under the radar,” but now after the exposure online, it’s rare for me to go out in public without a stranger starting up a conversation. Fortunately, all of these encounters have been positive so far!
Do you have anyone who is the biggest support system in your life? Please let us know.
My mother (Marie) has been the greatest support system in my life, standing by me through some of my toughest battles. I couldn’t ask for a better supporter. I’m truly fortunate to call her both my best friend and my mom.
What key pieces of advice/insights would you offer to aspiring entrepreneurs?
I’ll keep this short but important: “It’s easy if you try,” “You are who you hang with”, “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room” and of course trial and error, in my opinion, is the fastest way to succeed. You don’t know what works or doesn’t until you TRY and/or fail! Most people never take action, they have great ideas but never do anything to bring them to reality.
Do you think ‘GENDER’ affects entrepreneurship? Your views
While gender can present challenges, the entrepreneurial space is increasingly recognizing the value of diversity (and I hope it continues to get better). What matters most in my opinion is competence and passion.
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