# Episode 59: From B-52 Bomber to Cybersecurity CEO: Carl Herberger's Journey Through Military Aviation, Corporate Security, and Building DDoS Defense Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/909exec-7089471/episode-59-from-b-52-bomber-to-cybersecurity-ceo-carl-herberger-s-journey-through-military-aviation-corporate-security-and-building-ddos-defense Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/909exec-7089471/episode-59-from-b-52-bomber-to-cybersecurity-ceo-carl-herberger-s-journey-through-military-aviation-corporate-security-and-building-ddos-defense.md Podcast: [909Exec](https://stenobird.com/podcast/909exec-7089471) Published: 2026-04-19T22:01:10+00:00 Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/909exec-podcast/episodes/Episode-59-From-B-52-Bomber-to-Cybersecurity-CEO-Carl-Herbergers-Journey-Through-Military-Aviation--Corporate-Security--and-Building-DDoS-Defense-e3i54a7 Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/faf7fd28/podcast/play/118705927/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-3-19%2F422401827-44100-2-cf8837197d848.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/909exec-7089471/episodes/episode-59-from-b-52-bomber-to-cybersecurity-ceo-carl-herberger-s-journey-through-military-aviation-corporate-security-and-building-ddos-defense Duration seconds: 2979 ## Resource Join host Den Jones as he sits down with Carl Herberger, CEO of Corero, for a fascinating conversation that spans from military aviation to cybersecurity leadership. Carl shares his unique journey from flying B-52 bombers to becoming a Pentagon cyber warfare pioneer, then transitioning to corporate security roles at Campbell Soup Company before founding multiple security companies. This episode explores the critical importance of DDoS protection and cyber resiliency in today's threat landscape. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: - Early Life and Military Background Carl discusses his German-American upbringing and path to military service Key quote: "I was born in the US, but because my father was an electrician for, at the time, Transworld Airlines, he got laid off in the mid '60s, late '60s when I was born" - B-52 Aviation Career Details about his eight years as a B-52 aviator and the demanding nature of military flying Key quote: "Being a military flight crew member, it is fundamentally rewires your brain. You learn things that maybe many other professions don't learn. You must fundamentally know everything about the machine" - Military Aviation Mindset How military aviation shaped his approach to risk and decision-making Key quote: "It's what you don't know or you didn't research, that's what will kill you. It's as simple as that" - Pentagon Cyber Warfare Role Transition from aviation to becoming part of the initial cadre of cyber warriors in the mid-90s Key quote: "They were putting together a cadre of people and they put together disciplines that they believed would have sensibilities about this idea" - Life Philosophy and Career Approach Discussion about being open to unexpected opportunities and following your heart Key quote: "You… ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/909exec-7089471/episodes/episode-59-from-b-52-bomber-to-cybersecurity-ceo-carl-herberger-s-journey-through-military-aviation-corporate-security-and-building-ddos-defense/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/909exec-7089471/episode-59-from-b-52-bomber-to-cybersecurity-ceo-carl-herberger-s-journey-through-military-aviation-corporate-security-and-building-ddos-defense.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.