Security Weekly Interview Guidelines

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README First

Below are some rights and responsibilities for appearing on Security Weekly as a guest for an interview or a technical segment:

  1. It is up to the guest to obtain permission to speak on the show and regulate the content. We will not ask questions or discuss topics that you have explicitly stated must not be publicly discussed. This information must be provided to us before the interview.
  2. It is the sole responsibility of the guest to obtain permission from their employer to appear on the show. Security Weekly holds no responsibility in this matter; this is between you and your employer.
  3. All shows, except Paul’s Security Weekly, are recorded and posted to the Internet moments after your segment has completed. Paul’s Security Weekly is streamed live. If we need to edit the recording, the chances are very unlikely we will be able to do so before it has been released or broadcast to a public audience.
  4. While we are not governed by the FCC, we attempt to keep the show at an MPAA equivalent of a PG-13 rating.

Remote Guest Logistics

We are an Internet TV show (video) and podcast (audio), which means you will need to send us the best quality video (webcam or built-in camera) and audio (typically via a USB headset). We want you to look and sound great! Here are the logistics and guidelines for appearing on our shows:

  1. You will be able to see us on Zoom or Skype while we are doing the production, if you can’t, just ask and we’ll re-enable the camera (sometimes it needs to be re-enabled). We have two Zoom/Skype machines, and guests on one Zoom/Skype machine cannot see the guests on the other Skype machine
  2. Please do not attempt to watch the show live while you are actively participating via Skype, Zoom, Gotowebinar or other software. The bandwidth Gods are angered greatly by this.

Here are the steps we ask our guests to take:

Before the Show

At least two weeks prior to your interview, our operations team will email you to coordinate various activities, including:

  • Collecting all of the guest details – Making certain your name, title, company and other details are correct.
  • Topic Prep Call – A one-on-one call with the primary show host to discuss the topics, questions and content to be aired on the show.
  • Production Test Call – A call, using Zoom, Skype or Gotowebinar/Gotomeeting, to test your camera, lighting, microphone, software and other technical logistics involved with coming on the show remotely.

At least two weeks prior to your interview, we need the following guest details:

  • Guest Name
  • Guest Email (Internal Use Only)
  • Guest Job Title
  • Company
  • Guest Skype (Internal Use Only)
  • Guest Twitter
  • Guest Phone # (Internal Use Only)
  • Will guest be in the studio, Skype or Zoom?
  • Do you need to share your screen?
  • Guest Bio
  • Guest Picture

Tell everyone you know that you will be on Security Weekly! Use Twitter, your website/blog, other social networks & invite all your friends to download or watch Paul’s Security Weekly live.

Prep Call

At least one week prior to your interview, we will schedule a prep call with the primary host of the show. This call is used to discuss the topic and outline of the interview. If there are any off-limit topics, this is the time to identify them.

Technical Call

At least one week prior to your interview, we will set up a test call to make sure everything is in order. Here’s how to prepare for the test call:

  1. Technology
    1. Verify a high bandwidth/low latency Internet link. BTW, hotel networks are incredibly unreliable with respects to bandwidth, so if you are on the road, please try to find a location with the best possible Internet connection.
    2. An Ethernet cable is preferred as it eliminates many variables when troubleshooting. While Wifi is “fast”, the maintain a solid video and audio stream to us the connection must be as low latency as possible, and Ethernet provides a much more reliable connection as it is not as prone to interference.
    3. The latest version of Zoom or Skype on a supported platform. This is important to make sure we are all running the same version os software.
    4. A computer: Tablets and phones running Android/ChromeOS/iOS may not support the required features in the teleconferencing software, therefore you must be using a laptop/computer running Windows, OS X or Linux.
    5. A quality USB or Wired headset (Headset includes headphones and a microphone). In case you need it, the headset we recommend
      1. Beyerdynamic MMX 2 PC Gaming Multimedia Digital On-Ear Headset with Microphone (https://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-MMX-Multimedia-Microphone-Updated/dp/B07MVMP579) – This is an excellent analog headset.
      2. USB Headsets – There are many to choose from, however USB can be problematic across different operating systems and software applications. Always test your USB headset thoroughly before using it to connect into the show.
    6. A webcam. The camera built-in to your Mac is likely just fine, for Windows some built-in cams work okay, if not use an external webcam. A good, cheap webcam is the Logitech C310 (we’re told it works with both Windows and OS X just fine). Be certain to position the camera directly at you and include as little of the background as possible (If you’ve ever watched a live interview on TV, that’s what we are aiming for :).
  2. Location
    1. Pleasing background. Make sure you are in the same location during the test call as you will be for the show! Find a location with a suitable background with the ability to look directly into the camera. Remember, this will live on the Internet forever, so please don’t expose your secrets!
    2. Good lighting. You may want to experiment with different forms of lighting. General rule of thumb is the lighting should be facing you, not behind you. if there is a light behind you (or monitor or tv) your image will appear dark. The type of lighting does not matter, the more the better as a general rule. Overhead lights are not typically bright enough, so you may have to rig up something or change your location to have the best lighting. If your test call is during the day, but it will be dark at 6PM EST your time, you can discuss lighting with our production staff.
    3. A Quiet Place. Please try to keep background noise and interruptions to a minimum (avoid them completely if possible). Turn off all phone ringers, including office, home, and mobile phones.

During the show

About 15 minutes before your scheduled interview time, perform the following steps:

  1. Grab your favorite beverage of choice (During PSW, it’s usually alcoholic)
  2. Call into the production staff using the information obtained in the Production Test Call.

During the show it helps to have a browser open to the show notes page for the episode you are appearing on.

After the show

After the show, we’ll send you an email with links to your video and blog post. Please feel free to share this with your company, friends, social media, etc.

In Studio Guest Logistics

Guest are welcomed and encouraged to come into our studio for an interview or technical segment. For these interviews, we take care of all of the technical aspects and just require the Guest Details and Prep Call from the section above.

Contacts

In case you are having problems connecting or need to get a hold of us, please use one of the following emails:

References

This is a good link to reference: http://wiki.twit.tv/wiki/How_to_Be_a_Guest_on_the_TWiT_network.