Meta's Oded Anderman on Preventing Unauthorized Data Collection

Future of Threat Intelligence

Future of Threat Intelligence

33:19

What’s the secret to lasting friendships? How does queer community show up through the ebbs and flows of life? And what’s the REAL story behind the “YMCA” song? In the first episode of Silver Linings, The Old Gays dive into an essential part of queer life: chosen family. They discuss the vital love, support, and sense of belonging that community provides, especially during life's toughest moments. They open up about what “queer” means to them, how chosen family has impacted their lives, and how to maintain close bonds over time–including their love for each other! “We’ve come a long way, baby.” Family isn’t just what you’re born with; it’s the people who show up, shape you, and stick around. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

about a year ago 20:42

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Where is the balance between data accessibility and protection in today's interconnected digital landscape? Oded Anderman, Privacy Lead at Meta, has plenty of insights on this question and more from his journey from financial services to protecting user data at one of the world's largest social platforms.

His conversation with David on this episode of The Future of Threat Intelligence explores how the proliferation of connected devices, advancement in AI, and evolving regulatory frameworks are reshaping our approach to data privacy.

Oded also touches on why unauthorized data scraping poses risks for organizations of all sizes, not just social media giants, and offers practical strategies for implementing effective privacy protection measures while maintaining essential business functions.

Topics discussed:

The evolution of data scraping threats, from simple email harvesting to sophisticated automated collection affecting organizations of all sizes.
The impacts of technological advancements, including AI and machine learning, on both data collection capabilities and protective measures.
How regulatory frameworks like GDPR and CCPA shape organizational approaches to data protection and privacy.
Strategies for distinguishing between legitimate data collection and unauthorized scraping while maintaining business accessibility.
Comprehensive anti-scraping programs that incorporate prevention, detection, and enforcement capabilities.
Importance of industry collaboration through organizations like the Mitigating Unauthorized Scraping Alliance.
Challenges of balancing privacy protection with legitimate research needs through controlled data access programs.
The growing need for consumer education and digital literacy in protecting personal information online.
Evolution of privacy policies and communication strategies to make data practices more transparent and accessible.

Key Takeaways:

Implement a comprehensive anti-scraping strategy that addresses prevention, detection, and enforcement rather than focusing on single-point solutions.
Recognize that unauthorized data scraping affects organizations of all sizes, not just large social media platforms.
Develop clear protocols for distinguishing between legitimate data collection and unauthorized scraping activities.
Stay informed about evolving regulatory frameworks and adjust data protection strategies accordingly.
Invest in consumer education and transparent communication about data practices and privacy policies.
Participate in industry collaborations and information sharing to stay ahead of emerging threats.
Balance security measures with business accessibility to maintain user value while protecting data.
Consider both technical and regulatory aspects when developing data protection strategies.
Maintain awareness of emerging technologies that could impact both threat scenarios and protective measures.
Prepare for future developments in the data protection landscape, including potential governed data exchange platforms.

88 episodes

#Cyber Risk

Meta's Oded Anderman on Preventing Unauthorized Data Collection

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

Topics discussed:

The evolution of data scraping threats, from simple email harvesting to sophisticated automated collection affecting organizations of all sizes.
The impacts of technological advancements, including AI and machine learning, on both data collection capabilities and protective measures.
How regulatory frameworks like GDPR and CCPA shape organizational approaches to data protection and privacy.
Strategies for distinguishing between legitimate data collection and unauthorized scraping while maintaining business accessibility.
Comprehensive anti-scraping programs that incorporate prevention, detection, and enforcement capabilities.
Importance of industry collaboration through organizations like the Mitigating Unauthorized Scraping Alliance.
Challenges of balancing privacy protection with legitimate research needs through controlled data access programs.
The growing need for consumer education and digital literacy in protecting personal information online.
Evolution of privacy policies and communication strategies to make data practices more transparent and accessible.

Key Takeaways:

Implement a comprehensive anti-scraping strategy that addresses prevention, detection, and enforcement rather than focusing on single-point solutions.
Recognize that unauthorized data scraping affects organizations of all sizes, not just large social media platforms.
Develop clear protocols for distinguishing between legitimate data collection and unauthorized scraping activities.
Stay informed about evolving regulatory frameworks and adjust data protection strategies accordingly.
Invest in consumer education and transparent communication about data practices and privacy policies.
Participate in industry collaborations and information sharing to stay ahead of emerging threats.
Balance security measures with business accessibility to maintain user value while protecting data.
Consider both technical and regulatory aspects when developing data protection strategies.
Maintain awareness of emerging technologies that could impact both threat scenarios and protective measures.
Prepare for future developments in the data protection landscape, including potential governed data exchange platforms.

88 episodes

#Cyber Risk

All episodes

Future of Threat Intelligence

1
GigaOm’s Howard Holton on Why AI Will Be the OS of Security Work 8:43

20 hours ago8:43

8:43

The cybersecurity industry has witnessed numerous technology waves, but AI's integration at RSA 2025 signals something different from past hype cycles. Howard Holton , Chief Technology Officer at GigaOm , observed AI adoption across virtually every vendor booth, yet argues this represents genuine transformation rather than superficial marketing. His analyst perspective, backed by GigaOm's practitioner-focused research approach, reveals why AI will become the foundational operating system of security work rather than just another tool in an already crowded stack. Howard's insights challenge conventional thinking about human-machine collaboration in security operations. He explains how natural language understanding finally bridges the gap between human instruction variability and machine execution consistency, solving a problem that has limited automation effectiveness for decades. Howard also explores practical applications where AI handles repetitive security tasks that exhaust human analysts, while humans focus on curiosity-driven investigation and strategic analysis that machines cannot replicate. Topics discussed: The fundamental differences between AI's practical applicability and blockchain's limited use cases, despite similar initial hype cycles and market positioning across cybersecurity vendors. How natural language understanding creates breakthrough human-machine collaboration by allowing AI systems to execute consistent tasks regardless of instruction variability from different analysts. The biological metaphor for human versus machine intelligence, where humans operate as "chaos machines" with independent processes driven by curiosity rather than single-objective optimization. GigaOm's practitioner-focused approach to security maturity modeling that measures actual organizational capability rather than vendor feature adoption or platform configuration levels. Why AI will become the operating system of security work, following the evolution from Microsoft Office to SaaS as foundational business operation layers. The strategic advantage of AI handling hyper-repetitive security processes that traditionally drive human analysts to inefficiency while preserving human focus for curiosity-driven investigation. How enterprise security teams can identify the optimal intersection between AI's computational strengths and human analytical capabilities within their specific organizational contexts and threat landscapes. Key Takeaways: Evaluate your security maturity models to ensure they measure organizational capability and adaptability rather than vendor feature adoption or platform configuration levels. Identify repetitive security processes that exhaust human analysts and prioritize these for AI automation while preserving human focus for curiosity-driven investigation. Leverage natural language understanding in AI tools to standardize security process execution despite instruction variability from different team members. Audit your current technology stack to distinguish between genuinely applicable AI solutions and superficial AI marketing similar to the blockchain hype cycle. Create practitioner-focused assessment criteria when evaluating security vendors to ensure solutions address real-world enterprise implementation challenges. Develop language-agnostic security procedures that AI systems can interpret consistently regardless of how different analysts explain the same operational requirements. Listen to more episodes: Apple Spotify YouTube Website…

Future of Threat Intelligence

1
Online Business Systems' Jeff Man on PCI 4.0's Impact 8:31

3 days ago8:31

8:31

The cybersecurity industry has long operated on fear-based selling and vendor promises that rarely align with practical implementation needs. Jeff Man , Sr. Information Security Evangelist at Online Business Systems , brings a pragmatic perspective after years of navigating compliance requirements and advising organizations from Fortune 100 enterprises to small e-commerce operators. His cautious optimism about the industry's current trajectory stems from witnessing a fundamental shift in how vendors understand and communicate compliance requirements, particularly around PCI DSS 4.0's recent implementation. Jeff's extensive conference speaking experience and hands-on consulting work reveal critical disconnects between security marketing rhetoric and operational reality. His observation that security presentation slides from 1998 remain almost entirely relevant today underscores both the persistence of fundamental security challenges and the industry's slow evolution beyond superficial solutions toward meaningful risk management frameworks. Topics discussed: The transformation of vendor compliance conversations from generic marketing responses to specific requirement understanding, particularly around PCI DSS 4.0 implementation strategies. Why speaking "compliance language" with clients proves more effective than traditional security-focused approaches, as organizations prioritize mandatory requirements over theoretical security improvements. The reality that 99% of companies fall into small business security categories rather than commonly cited SMB statistics, creating massive gaps between available solutions and actual organizational needs. Risk prioritization methodologies that focus security investments on the 3% of CVEs actively exploited by attackers rather than attempting to address overwhelming vulnerability backlogs. The evolution from fear-uncertainty-doubt selling tactics toward informed decision-making frameworks that help organizations understand exactly what security technologies deliver versus marketing promises. How independent advisory perspectives enable better technology purchasing decisions by providing objective analysis separate from vendor sales motivations and product-specific solutions. The convergence of threat detection, vulnerability prioritization, and compliance requirements into cohesive risk management strategies that align with business operational realities rather than security team preferences. Key Takeaways: Prioritize vendors who demonstrate specific compliance requirement knowledge rather than offering generic "we do compliance" responses, particularly for PCI DSS 4.0 implementation. Frame security discussions using compliance language with business stakeholders, as regulatory requirements drive action more effectively than theoretical security benefits. Focus vulnerability management efforts on the approximately 3% of CVEs that attackers actively exploit rather than attempting to address entire vulnerability backlogs. Recognize that 99% of organizations operate with small business security constraints and require solutions scaled appropriately rather than enterprise-grade implementations. Seek independent security advisory perspectives separate from vendor sales processes to make informed technology purchasing decisions based on actual needs versus marketing promises. Evaluate security investments through risk prioritization frameworks that align with business operations rather than pursuing comprehensive security controls beyond organizational capabilities. Leverage the convergence of compliance requirements, threat intelligence, and vulnerability management to create cohesive risk management strategies rather than implementing disparate security tools.…

Future of Threat Intelligence

1
Trellix's John Fokker on Why Ransomware Groups Are Fragmenting 10:51

8 days ago10:51

10:51

The criminal underground is experiencing its own version of startup disruption, with massive ransomware-as-a-service operations fragmenting into smaller, more agile groups that operate like independent businesses. John Fokker , Head of Threat Intelligence at Trellix , brings unique insights from monitoring hundreds of millions of global sensors, revealing how defenders' success in EDR detection is paradoxically driving criminals toward more profitable attack models. His team's systematic tracking of AI adoption in criminal networks provides a fascinating parallel to legitimate business transformation, showing how threat actors are methodically testing and scaling new technologies just like any other industry. Drawing from Trellix's latest Global Threat Report, John tells David why the headlines focus on major enterprise breaches while the real action happens in the profitable mid-market, where companies have extractable revenue but often lack enterprise-level security budgets. This conversation offers rare visibility into how macro trends like AI adoption and improved defensive capabilities are reshaping criminal business models in real-time. Topics discussed: The systematic fragmentation of large ransomware-as-a-service operations into independent criminal enterprises, each focusing on specialized capabilities rather than maintaining complex hierarchical structures. How improved EDR detection capabilities are driving a strategic shift from encryption-based ransomware attacks toward data exfiltration and extortion as a more reliable revenue model. The economic targeting patterns that focus on profitable mid-market companies with decent revenue streams but potentially limited security budgets, rather than the headline-grabbing major enterprise victims Criminal adoption patterns of AI technologies that mirror legitimate business transformation, with systematic testing and gradual scaling as capabilities prove valuable. The emergence of EDR evasion tools as a growing criminal service market, driven by the success of endpoint detection and response technologies in preventing traditional attacks. Why building trust in autonomous security systems faces similar challenges to autonomous vehicles, requiring proven track records and reduced false positives before organizations will release human oversight. The strategic use of global sensor networks combined with public intelligence to map evolving attack patterns and identify blind spots in organizational threat detection capabilities. How entropy-based detection methods at the file and block level can identify encryption activities that indicate potential ransomware attacks in progress. The evolution from structured criminal hierarchies with complete in-house kill chains to distributed networks of specialized service providers and independent operators. Key Takeaways: Monitor entropy changes in files and block-level data compression rates as early indicators of ransomware encryption activities before full system compromise occurs. Prioritize EDR and XDR deployment investments to force threat actors away from encryption-based attacks toward less reliable data exfiltration methods. Focus threat intelligence gathering on fragmented criminal groups rather than solely tracking large ransomware-as-a-service operations that are splintering into independent cells. Implement graduated trust models for AI-powered security automation, starting with low-risk tasks and expanding autonomy as false positive rates decrease over time. Combine internal sensor data with public threat intelligence reports to identify blind spots and validate detection capabilities across multiple threat vectors. Develop specialized defense strategies for mid-market organizations that balance cost-effectiveness with protection against targeted criminal business models. Track AI adoption patterns in criminal networks using the same systematic approach businesses use for technology transformation initiatives. Build detection capabilities that identify lateral movement and privilege escalation activities that indicate advanced persistent threat presence in network environments. Establish incident response procedures that account for data exfiltration and extortion scenarios, not just traditional encryption-based ransomware attacks. Create threat hunting programs that specifically target EDR evasion tools and techniques as criminals increasingly invest in bypassing endpoint detection technologies.…

Future of Threat Intelligence

1
Frost & Sullivan's Martin Naydenov on AI's Cybersecurity Trust Gap 6:14

10 days ago6:14

6:14

In this special RSA episode of Future of Threat Intelligence, Martin Naydenov , Industry Principal of Cybersecurity at Frost & Sullivan , offers a sobering perspective on the disconnect between AI marketing and implementation. While the expo floor buzzes with "AI-enabled" security solutions, Martin cautions that many security teams remain reluctant to use these features in their daily operations due to fundamental trust issues. This trust gap becomes particularly concerning when contrasted with how rapidly threat actors have embraced AI to scale their attacks. Martin walks David through the current state of AI in cybersecurity, from the vendor marketing rush to the practical challenges of implementation. As an analyst who regularly uses AI tools, he provides a balanced view of their capabilities and limitations, emphasizing the need for critical evaluation rather than blind trust. He also demonstrates how easily AI can be leveraged for malicious purposes, creating a pressing need for security teams to overcome their hesitation and develop effective counter-strategies. Topics discussed: The disconnect between AI marketing hype at RSA and the practical implementation challenges facing security teams in real-world environments. Why security professionals remain hesitant to trust AI features in their tools, despite vendors rapidly incorporating them into security solutions. The critical need for vendors to not just develop AI capabilities but to build trust frameworks that convince security teams their AI can be relied upon. How AI is dramatically lowering the barrier to entry for threat actors by enabling non-technical individuals to create convincing phishing campaigns and malicious scripts. The evolution of phishing from obvious "Nigerian prince" scams with typos to contextually accurate, perfectly crafted messages that can fool even security-aware users. The disproportionate adoption rates between defensive and offensive AI applications, creating a potential advantage for attackers. How security analysts are currently using AI as assistance tools while maintaining critical oversight of the information they provide. The emerging capability for threat actors to build complete personas using AI-generated content, deepfakes, and social media scraping for highly targeted attacks. Key Takeaways: Implement verification protocols for AI-generated security insights to balance automation benefits with necessary human oversight in your security operations. Establish clear trust boundaries for AI tools by understanding their data sources, decision points, and potential limitations before deploying them in critical security workflows. Develop AI literacy training for security teams to help analysts distinguish between reliable AI outputs and potential hallucinations or inaccuracies. Evaluate your current security stack for unused AI features and determine whether trust issues or training gaps are preventing their adoption. Create AI-resistant authentication protocols that can withstand the sophisticated phishing attempts now possible with language models and deepfake technology. Monitor adversarial AI capabilities by testing your own defenses against AI-generated attack scenarios to identify potential vulnerabilities. Integrate AI tools gradually into security operations, starting with low-risk use cases to build team confidence and establish trust verification processes. Prioritize vendor solutions that provide transparency into their AI models' decision-making processes rather than black-box implementations. Establish metrics to quantify AI effectiveness in your security operations, measuring both performance improvements and false positive/negative rates. Design security awareness training that specifically addresses AI-enhanced social engineering techniques targeting your organization.…

Future of Threat Intelligence

1
Unspoken Security’s AJ Nash on Protecting Against AI Model Poisoning 15:32

14 days ago15:32

15:32

In our latest episode of The Future of Threat Intelligence, recorded at RSA Conference 2025, AJ Nash , Founder & CEO, Unspoken Security , provides a sobering assessment of AI's transformation of cybersecurity. Rather than focusing solely on hype, AJ examines the double-edged nature of AI adoption: how it simultaneously empowers defenders while dramatically lowering barriers to entry for sophisticated attacks. His warnings about entering a "post-knowledge world" where humans lose critical skills and adversaries can poison trusted AI systems offer a compelling counterbalance to the technology's promise. AJ draws parallels to previous technology trends like blockchain that experienced similar hype cycles before stabilizing, but notes that AI's accessibility and widespread applicability make it more likely to have lasting impact. He predicts that the next frontier in security will be AI integrity verification — building systems and organizations dedicated to ensuring that the AI models we increasingly depend on remain trustworthy and resistant to manipulation. Throughout the conversation, AJ emphasizes that while AI will continue to evolve and integrate into our security operations, maintaining human oversight and preserving our knowledge base remains essential. Topics discussed: The evolution of the RSA Conference and how industry focus has shifted through cycles from endpoints to threat intelligence to blockchain and now to AI, with a particularly strong emphasis on agentic AI. The double-edged impact of AI on workforce dynamics, balancing the potential for enhanced productivity against concerns that companies may prioritize cost-cutting by replacing junior positions, potentially eliminating career development pipelines. The risk of AI-washing similar to how "intelligence" became a diluted buzzword, with companies claiming AI capabilities without substantive implementation, necessitating deeper verification — and even challenging — of vendors' actual technologies. The emergence of a potential "post-knowledge world" where overreliance on AI systems for summarization and information processing erodes human knowledge of nuance and detail. The critical need for AI integrity verification systems as adversaries shift focus to poisoning models that organizations increasingly depend on, creating new attack surfaces that require specialized oversight. Challenges to intellectual property protection as AI systems scrape and incorporate existing content, raising questions about copyright enforcement and ownership in an era where AI-generated work is derivative by nature. The importance of maintaining human oversight in AI-driven security systems through transparent automation workflows, comprehensive understanding of decision points, and regular verification of system outputs. The parallels between previous technology hype cycles like blockchain and current AI enthusiasm, with the distinction that AI's accessibility and practical applications make it more likely to persist as a transformative technology. Key Takeaways: Challenge AI vendors to demonstrate their systems transparently by requesting detailed workflow explanations and documentation rather than accepting marketing claims at face value. Implement a "trust but verify" approach to AI systems by establishing human verification checkpoints within automated security workflows to prevent over-reliance on potentially flawed automation. Upskill your technical teams in AI fundamentals to maintain critical thinking abilities that help them understand the limitations and potential vulnerabilities of automated systems. Develop comprehensive AI governance frameworks that address potential model poisoning attacks by establishing regular oversight and integrity verification mechanisms. Establish cross-organizational collaborations with industry partners to create trusted AI verification authorities that can audit and certify model integrity across the security ecosystem. Document all automation workflows thoroughly by mapping decision points, data sources, and potential failure modes to maintain visibility into AI-driven security processes. Prioritize retention of junior security positions to preserve talent development pipelines despite the temptation to replace entry-level roles with AI automation. Conduct regular sampling and testing of AI system outputs to verify accuracy and detect potential manipulation or degradation of model performance over time. Balance innovation with security controls by evaluating new AI technologies for both their benefits and their potential to create new attack surfaces before deployment. Incorporate geopolitical and broader contextual awareness into threat intelligence practices to identify potential connections between world events and emerging cyber threats that AI alone might miss.…

Future of Threat Intelligence

1
Cyware’s Jawahar Sivasankaran on Automating Threat-Centric Operations 8:53

17 days ago8:53

8:53

In this special RSA 2025 episode of The Future of Threat Intelligence, David speaks with Jawahar Sivasankaran , President of Cyware , about their partnership with Team Cymru to democratize threat intelligence. Jawahar outlines how their CTI program in a box approach enables organizations to implement comprehensive threat intelligence capabilities in weeks rather than months. Jawahar offers a unique perspective on industry progress and remaining challenges in collaborative defense. This conversation explores the practical realities of operationalizing threat intelligence for organizations beyond the most mature security teams, the current implementation of AI in security operations, and a thoughtful assessment of how automation will reshape security careers without eliminating the need for human expertise. Topics discussed: How Cyware's partnership with Team Cymru creates turnkey threat intelligence solutions with pre-configured use cases and clear outcomes for rapid implementation. The critical gap in threat intelligence sharing between private and public sectors despite overall industry progress in security capabilities. Cyware's work with ISACs to facilitate bi-directional threat intelligence sharing that benefits organizations at varying maturity levels. Current implementation of AI through Cyware's Quarterback module, featuring knowledge bots and NLP capabilities beyond future aspirations. Multi-agent AI approach to threat-centric automation that focuses on enriching and correlating intelligence for actionable outcomes Historical perspective on industry disruption and how AI will transform security careers by automating basic tasks while creating new opportunities in design, architecture, and human-machine collaboration. The evolution of security solutions over two decades of RSA conferences and whether the industry is making meaningful progress against adversaries. Practical strategies for implementing comprehensive threat intelligence programs without months of planning and configuration. Key Takeaways: Implement a "CTI program in a box" approach to accelerate threat intelligence adoption, reducing deployment time from months to weeks through pre-configured use cases with clear, measurable outcomes. Establish bi-directional threat intelligence sharing between private and public sectors to strengthen collective defense capabilities against emerging adversary tactics and behaviors. Leverage partnerships with ISACs to gain access to curated threat intelligence that has been validated and contextualized for your specific industry vertical. Deploy AI-powered knowledge bots with NLP capabilities to help your security team more efficiently process and action threat intelligence data without requiring extensive expertise. Adopt a multi-agent AI approach for security operations that enriches threat intelligence, correlates information across sources, and recommends specific defensive actions. Evaluate your organization's cyber threat intelligence maturity honestly, recognizing that even large enterprises and government agencies often struggle with operationalizing intelligence effectively. Streamline threat intelligence implementation through turnkey solutions that provide unified platforms rather than attempting to build capabilities from scratch. Balance AI automation with human expertise in your security operations, recognizing that technology will transform job functions rather than eliminate the need for skilled professionals. Transform basic security workflows into threat-centric processes that focus on actionable outcomes rather than just data collection and processing. Prioritize collaborative defense mechanisms that benefit organizations with varying levels of security maturity, particularly those downstream that lack advanced threat identification capabilities. Listen to more episodes: Apple Spotify…

Future of Threat Intelligence

1
Rapid7’s Lonnie Best on Measuring SOC Success Beyond Alert Closures 21:25

29 days ago21:25

21:25

In a world obsessed with cutting-edge security technology, Lonnie Best , Senior Manager of Detection & Response Services at Rapid7 , makes a compelling case for mastering the fundamentals. After transitioning from craft beer journalism through nuclear security to cybersecurity, Lonnie witnessed the evolution of ransomware attacks from "spray and pray" tactics to sophisticated credential theft and security tool disablement. His insights reveal why 54% of incident response engagements still trace back to inadequate MFA implementation, and why understanding "how computers compute" creates better security professionals than certifications alone. Lonnie also shares practical wisdom on building effective security operations, avoiding analyst burnout, and measuring program success. As AI increasingly handles tier-one alert triage, he predicts the traditional junior analyst role will fundamentally change within 5-10 years — though human expertise will always remain essential for validating what machines uncover. Topics discussed: The evolution of attack sophistication from "spray and pray" ransomware to targeted credential theft and security tool disablement, requiring more comprehensive detection capabilities. How managed detection and response (MDR) services have evolved to provide enterprise-grade security capabilities to organizations lacking internal resources or security maturity. The critical components of building an effective internal SOC: centralized logging through SIEM implementation, specialized security expertise across multiple domains, and leadership strategies to combat analyst burnout. Implementing AI and machine learning for tier-one alert triage to reduce analyst fatigue while maintaining human oversight for validation, with predictions that traditional junior analyst roles will transform within 5-10 years. Why traditional metrics like alert closures fail to accurately measure SOC analyst performance, requiring more nuanced approaches focusing on contribution quality rather than quantity. The hiring dilemma of attitude versus aptitude in security analysts, revealing why foundational system administration experience creates more effective investigators than certifications alone. Strategies for preventing analyst burnout through appropriate tooling, staffing levels, and leadership practices that recognize security's 24/7 operational demands. The persistent gap between security knowledge and implementation, as demonstrated by 54% of incident response engagements in 2024 resulting from inadequate MFA deployment or enforcement. Practical fundamentals for effective security: comprehensive asset inventory, attack surface management, vulnerability remediation, and understanding where critical assets reside. Key Takeaways: Implement multi-factor authentication across all access points to address the root cause behind 54% of incident response engagements in 2024, according to Rapid7's metrics. Build your security operations center with centralized logging through SIEM implementation as the core foundation before expanding detection capabilities. Recruit security analysts with system administration experience rather than just certifications to ensure practical understanding of system behavior and anomaly detection. Deploy AI and machine learning solutions specifically for tier-one alert triage to combat analyst fatigue while maintaining human oversight for validation. Create comprehensive asset inventories that identify and map all crown jewels and their access paths before implementing advanced security controls. Develop leadership strategies that address security's 24/7 operational demands, including appropriate time-off policies and workload management to prevent burnout. Measure security operations performance through nuanced metrics beyond alert closures, focusing on the quality of investigations and genuine threat detection. Structure your security team with specialized roles (threat hunting, cloud detection, malware analysis) to create effective career paths and deeper expertise. Incorporate regular one-on-one meetings with security analysts to assess performance challenges and identify improvement areas beyond traditional metrics. Prioritize attack surface management alongside vulnerability remediation to understand how attackers could gain entry and navigate toward critical assets. Listen to more episodes: Apple Spotify YouTube Website…

Future of Threat Intelligence

1
Rapyd’s Nir Rothenberg on Breaking the CISO Burnout Cycle Through Focused Priorities 28:27

6 weeks ago28:27

28:27

From cleaning up after an insider theft of the notorious Pegasus spyware to safeguarding billions in payment transactions, Nir Rothenberg brings battlefield-tested security leadership to his role as CISO/CIO at Rapyd , and joins David on this episode of The Future of Threat Intelligence to share all his lessons learned. In this no-holds-barred conversation , Nir delivers a wake-up call to security leaders still pretending they can defend against everything, offering instead a radical prioritization framework shaped by watching elite hackers routinely break supposedly "unbreakable" systems. Nir challenges conventional CISO thinking by ruthlessly eliminating theoretical threats from his roadmap, explaining why even Google-level security can't ultimately stop determined nation-state attackers, and providing practical strategies for focusing resources exclusively on threats that organizations can realistically defend against. Topics discussed: The challenges of prioritizing security efforts based on attacker capability tiers, focusing resources on threats that can realistically be defended against rather than top-tier nation-state actors. How working with elite offensive security teams fundamentally transforms a defender's understanding of what's feasible in attack scenarios and reshapes security investment decisions. The evolution of breach disclosure practices and why current placative approaches prioritize shareholder confidence over sharing actionable details that would help other defenders. Strategic approaches to developing security capabilities through partnerships rather than building in-house, particularly for specialized functions like threat intelligence. Why even major crypto breaches often stem from preventable issues like social engineering rather than sophisticated technical exploits, and how to prioritize defenses accordingly. Practical strategies for combating CISO burnout through focused prioritization and avoiding the tendency of boiling the ocean that leads to ineffective security programs. Creating collaborative security ecosystems that leverage the numerical advantage defenders have over attackers when working together effectively. How to extract meaningful intelligence from breaches beyond just indicators of compromise, focusing on understanding attacker methodologies and misconfigurations that can be tested and remediated. Key Takeaways: Prioritize security resources based on attacker capability tiers, focusing efforts on threats that can realistically be defended against rather than top-tier nation-state actors that will find a way in regardless of defenses. Implement a strategic partnership approach with specialized security vendors instead of building capabilities like threat intelligence in-house, leveraging their decades of experience to enhance your security posture more efficiently. Demand more detailed technical information in breach disclosures from vendors and partners, seeking specific misconfigurations and vulnerabilities that were exploited rather than just indicators of compromise. Position your security leadership role within the management team to enable greater impact, reducing bureaucratic barriers to implementing innovative security controls and technologies. Evaluate emerging security startups as design partners before they become widely known, creating a competitive advantage through early access to cutting-edge security capabilities. Challenge theoretical security risks like AI data exposure by comparing them with documented threats that have caused actual damage, allocating resources proportionally to proven rather than hypothetical dangers. Leverage M&A transitions as opportunities to eliminate technical debt and modernize security practices rather than just viewing them as risk events requiring assessment. Adopt comprehensive breach intelligence sources like the Verizon Breach Report to compensate for the limited technical detail in most public breach disclosures. Combat CISO burnout by focusing exclusively on security elements you can control and impact. Create collaborative security ecosystems with partners, vendors, and internal teams to maximize the numerical advantage defenders have over attackers when working together effectively.…

Future of Threat Intelligence

1
Option Care’s Jill Rhodes on Uniting Legal Expertise and Cybersecurity in Healthcare 28:39

8 weeks ago28:39

28:39

Jill Rhodes , SVP & CISO at Option Care Health , shares her unconventional journey from international development lawyer stationed in Bolivia and Moscow to healthcare leader, where she built the security program from the ground up as the organization's first CISO. Jill outlines for David how a transformative assignment at an intelligence agency sparked her cybersecurity passion before she helped build cloud environments for the intelligence community. Now, she's leveraging this background to develop what she calls the rainbow of security — a visual security model for board communications — while building a security culture so pervasive that employees discuss security without her team present. Her approach, balancing legal analytical thinking with strategic security vision, demonstrates how healthcare CISOs can navigate a complex regulatory landscape of HIPAA plus 50 different state laws while maintaining the essential visibility needed for comprehensive threat intelligence. Topics discussed: Transforming organizational behavior through the Ambassador Program that deploys 100+ non-technical employees as security advocates. Conducting pre-meeting content reviews with non-technical audiences including family members and business partners to ensure security concepts are translated from technical language into business value propositions. Navigating the complex healthcare regulatory landscape that requires simultaneous compliance with federal HIPAA requirements and 50 distinct state privacy laws versus the unified security framework of intelligence agencies. Implementing the rainbow of security visualization framework that maps security controls from perimeter to internal systems, making complex security architecture understandable to board members while facilitating threat intelligence integration. Building security teams through maturity-based prioritization by conducting comprehensive security maturity assessments before hiring, then strategically filling gaps starting with technical experts to complement leadership's strategic orientation. Measuring security program effectiveness through cultural integration metrics rather than technical KPIs by tracking whether security considerations arise organically in conversations when security personnel aren't present. Applying intelligence community verification methodology to threat intelligence by requiring multiple non-derivative data sources to validate information, particularly crucial as healthcare-specific threat intelligence accessibility has declined. Key Takeaways: Implement a security ambassador program by recruiting non-technical employees across your organization to meet monthly, discuss security topics relevant to both work and personal life, and serve as security advocates within their departments. Translate technical security concepts for board presentations by testing your content on non-technical family members and business partners first — if they don't understand it, executives won't either. Construct your security team strategically by first conducting a comprehensive security maturity assessment to identify gaps, then hiring for skills that complement leadership's background rather than duplicating existing expertise. Develop a visual security framework that maps controls from perimeter to internal systems, making complex architecture understandable to executives while providing structure for threat intelligence integration. Measure security program effectiveness through cultural indicators rather than just technical metrics, specifically tracking whether security considerations arise organically in conversations when security personnel aren't present. Validate threat intelligence using the intelligence community verification methodology by requiring multiple non-derivative data sources before acting on information, especially important as healthcare-specific intelligence becomes less accessible. Navigate complex healthcare regulations by partnering closely with privacy, compliance, and business teams to create a collaborative approach to security rather than viewing it as a balance between competing priorities. Build security partnerships across departments, especially with finance, privacy, and compliance teams, to frame security risks in business language rather than technical terms and strengthen organizational buy-in. Transform security behaviors by comparing security adoption to the evolution of seatbelt use — initially resisted but eventually becoming automatic — to normalize security practices throughout the organization. Apply intelligence community analytical thinking to private sector security challenges by focusing on asking the right questions rather than having all the technical answers, particularly valuable for CISOs with non-technical backgrounds.…

Future of Threat Intelligence

1
Silverado Policy Accelerator’s Dmitri Alperovitch on Hunting Intruders After They're Already In 28:00

11 weeks ago28:00

28:00

In this episode of The Future of Threat Intelligence, Dmitri Alperovitch , Co-founder & Executive Chairman at Silverado Policy Accelerator and Author of World on the Brink: How America Can Beat China in the Race for the 21st Century , delivers a stark warning about the second Cold War with China that's unfolding, from military and nuclear arms races to space competition and technological rivalry. Dmitri also shares how the Volt Typhoon intrusions represent deliberate "preparation of the battlefield" for potential conflict. He explains why Salt Typhoon could represent one of America's greatest counterintelligence failures. Topics discussed: The evolution of Chinese cyber operations from noisy, sloppy techniques in 2010 to today's sophisticated threats that represent unprecedented counterintelligence failures. How the Volt Typhoon intrusions into critical infrastructure serve as "preparation of the battlefield" designed to impede America's ability to defend Taiwan during potential conflict. The concrete evidence of China's Taiwan invasion preparations, including specialized bridge barges designed to land armored forces directly onto Taiwan's highways. Why Taiwan's 40% share of global semiconductor manufacturing creates catastrophic economic risk that could trigger a 5% compression in global GDP if disrupted. The fundamental flaw in prevention-focused security models and why CrowdStrike's hunt-focused approach better addresses persistent nation-state threats. Why the concept of "deterrence by denial" fails in cyberspace, unlike in physical warfare where anti-ship capabilities and other tactics can effectively deter invasion. The organizational dysfunction in US government cybersecurity, where even CISA lacks operational control over civilian networks and agencies operate in silos. Key Takeaways: Implement a hunt-focused security strategy that assumes adversaries will penetrate initial defenses, allocating resources to rapidly detect and eject intruders during their post-exploitation activities before they can accomplish objectives. Evaluate your organization's target value to nation state actors rather than simply comparing your defenses to industry peers, recognizing that highly valuable targets will face persistent campaigns lasting years, regardless of defensive measures. Acknowledge the inherent tension between security and availability requirements in your industry, developing tailored frameworks that balance operational resilience against the risk of catastrophic compromise. Diversify semiconductor supply chains in your technology procurement strategy to reduce dependency on Taiwan-manufactured chips, preparing contingency plans for severe disruptions in global chip availability. Incorporate geopolitical risk analysis into your security planning, particularly regarding China-Taiwan tensions and the projected window of heightened vulnerability identified by intelligence experts. Revise incident response playbooks to address sophisticated nation-state intrusions like Volt Typhoon that target critical infrastructure as "preparation of the battlefield" rather than immediate data theft. Establish clear security governance across organizational silos, addressing the dysfunction that plagues even government agencies where CISA lacks operational control over civilian networks. Shift security metrics from prevention-focused measurements to detection speed, dwell time reduction, and ability to prevent objective completion even after initial compromise. Challenge assumptions about deterrence by denial in your security architecture, recognizing that unlike physical defenses, cyber adversaries have virtually unlimited attack vectors requiring fundamentally different defensive approaches. Prioritize protection of your most valuable digital assets based on adversary objectives rather than spreading resources evenly, recognizing that nation-state actors will specifically target strategic information regardless of general security posture. Join us for the 15th anniversary of RISE in San Francisco this April 8-9, where cybersecurity professionals, law enforcement, and threat intelligence analysts come together for two days of TLP-RED content sharing and hands-on collaboration in the fight against cybercrime. Apply now at http://www.cymru.com/rise . Listen to more episodes: Apple Spotify YouTube Website…

Future of Threat Intelligence

1
Directions on Microsoft’s Wes Miller on Harmonizing Microsoft's Security & Identity Tools 24:28

12 weeks ago24:28

24:28

What happens when Microsoft's on-premises security falls behind while cloud innovation accelerates? In this episode of The Future of Threat Intelligence, Wes Miller , Research Analyst for Microsoft Identity, Security, and Management at Directions on Microsoft , pulls back the curtain on Microsoft's fragmented security landscape. Having survived the historic Windows security push during his 7 years at Microsoft and spent the last 15 years analyzing their enterprise strategy, Wes delivers an insider's perspective on why vulnerable legacy systems like Exchange Server, Certificate Services, and Federation Services have become prime attack vectors while Microsoft focuses its innovation almost exclusively on cloud services. He also walks David through why organizations are struggling with critical misconceptions about Entra ID, reveals how Microsoft's release notes contain hidden threat intelligence, and shares tactical approaches to influence Microsoft's security roadmap through strategic stakeholder relationships. Topics discussed: The critical security gap between Microsoft's cloud-focused investments and neglected on-premises systems like Exchange, Certificate Services, and Federation Services. How analyzing Microsoft Defender update notes provides a "hidden" threat intelligence feed that reveals emerging attack patterns targeting enterprise environments. The misconception that Active Directory and Entra ID are similar systems, when they require fundamentally different security approaches. Why entitlement management represents the essential intersection between security and identity teams, connecting HR processes directly to access lifecycles. The strategic challenge of harmonizing legacy and cloud identity systems while protecting non-Microsoft workloads in increasingly Microsoft-centric environments. Practical methods for large enterprises to influence Microsoft's security roadmap through targeted stakeholder relationships and coordinated feedback. How certificate servers often operate as "forgotten infrastructure" within organizations, creating prime attack vectors that Microsoft's Defender for Identity is specifically designed to detect. The threat of Microsoft potentially limiting third-party identity provider integration capabilities, and strategies for maintaining ecosystem diversity. Key Takeaways: Monitor Microsoft Defender release notes to identify emerging attack patterns that Microsoft is actively detecting across their customer base, providing valuable threat intelligence without additional cost. Implement entitlement management systems that connect HR processes directly to identity lifecycles, ensuring proper access provisioning and deprovisioning throughout employee transitions. Audit your on-premises certificate servers and federation services which often operate as "forgotten infrastructure" and represent prime attack vectors. Develop a comprehensive strategy for synchronizing Active Directory and Entra ID, recognizing their fundamental architectural differences rather than treating them as interchangeable systems. Establish strategic relationships with Microsoft stakeholders to influence their security roadmap, leveraging coordinated feedback when features don't align with real-world enterprise security needs. Harmonize legacy and cloud identity systems by mapping complete workflows and identifying potential integration gaps between Microsoft's on-premises and cloud-based security tools. Evaluate third-party identity providers for critical non-Microsoft workloads, addressing the potential limitations of Microsoft's tightening control over Entra ID integration capabilities. Prioritize Exchange Server security through rigorous patch management and enhanced monitoring, as Microsoft has effectively "abandoned" on-premises Exchange according to Wes Miller. Integrate security and identity management teams through shared workflow processes, recognizing their interdependence rather than maintaining traditional organizational silos. Document architectural limitations of Microsoft's identity systems, particularly in hybrid environments where cloud and on-premises systems must interoperate securely. Join us for the 15th anniversary of RISE in San Francisco this April 8-9, where cybersecurity professionals, law enforcement, and threat intelligence analysts come together for two days of TLP-RED content sharing and hands-on collaboration in the fight against cybercrime. Apply now at http://www.cymru.com/rise .…

Future of Threat Intelligence

1
Wikistrat’s Jeffrey Caruso on New Methods in Cyber-Physical Attacks 25:20

13 weeks ago25:20

25:20

In this episode of The Future of Threat Intelligence, Jeffrey Caruso , Senior Analyst at Wikistrat & Author of Inside Cyber Warfare , shares examples of how teams with minimal budgets achieved kinetic effects through OT system manipulation — from destroying missile research facilities to compromising subway systems and burning down FSB-affiliated banks. His findings, based on two years documenting Ukrainian cyber operations, demonstrate how deep supply chain understanding and innovative attack methods are proving more effective than conventional nation-state capabilities. Through methodical vendor system compromise and strategic engineering documentation exfiltration, he tells with David how these teams have developed techniques for creating cascading physical effects without entering Russian territory. Notably, they've demonstrated that successful cyber-physical attacks don't require massive resources; instead, success comes from understanding system interdependencies and supply chain relationships, combined with the ability to interrogate key technical personnel about specific system behaviors. This research challenges traditional security models that emphasize tool stacks over team composition and suggests that adversary categorization (nation-state vs. criminal) may be less relevant than previously thought. Topics discussed: How Ukrainian teams executed cyber-physical attacks by compromising vendor systems to obtain engineering diagrams and documentation, then exploiting OT vulnerabilities to create kinetic effects. Why commercial security tools face limitations in addressing these attack methods due to business model constraints and design approach. Technical examination of supply chain compromise techniques enabling physical infrastructure attacks, with examples of vendor system exploitation. Evidence supporting an "adversary agnostic" approach to defense rather than traditional threat actor categorization. Practical insights on building security teams by prioritizing mission focus and institutional loyalty over technical credentials. Analysis of how OT system trial-and-error testing creates new risks for critical infrastructure protection Key Takeaways: Implement an adversary-agnostic defense strategy rather than focusing on threat actor categorization, as demonstrated by Ukrainian operations showing how even small teams can achieve nation-state-level impacts. Prioritize supply chain security assessments by mapping vendor relationships and identifying potential engineering documentation exposure points that could enable cyber-physical attacks. Establish comprehensive OT system monitoring to detect trial-and-error testing patterns that could indicate attackers attempting to understand system behavior for kinetic effects. Transform security team building by prioritizing veteran hiring and mission focus over technical credentials alone, focusing on demonstrated loyalty and motivation. Design resilient backup systems and fail-safes for critical infrastructure, operating under the assumption that primary defenses will be compromised. Evaluate commercial security tools against their fundamental design limitations and business model constraints rather than feature lists alone. Document all subsystems and interdependencies in OT environments to understand potential cascade effects that could be exploited for physical impact. Build security team loyalty through comprehensive support services, competitive compensation, and burnout prevention rather than relying on high-paid "superstar" hires. Develop verification checkpoints throughout automated security processes rather than assuming tool effectiveness, particularly for critical infrastructure protection. Create architectural resilience by assuming breach scenarios and implementing multiple layers of manual oversight for critical system changes. Join us for the 15th anniversary of RISE in San Francisco this April 8-9, where cybersecurity professionals, law enforcement, and threat intelligence analysts come together for two days of TLP-RED content sharing and hands-on collaboration in the fight against cybercrime. Apply now at http://www.cymru.com/rise . Listen to more episodes: Apple Spotify…

Future of Threat Intelligence

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Rapid7’s Deral Heiland on Why Your Network Segmentation Strategy Overlooks IoT Risk 29:31

14 weeks ago29:31

29:31

Deral Heiland ’s research has uncovered critical vulnerabilities across the IoT spectrum, from office printers to medical devices, revealing how seemingly isolated devices can compromise entire networks. In one investigation, he discovered active credentials for five major hospital systems still present on secondhand medical equipment. With extensive experience, including his current role as Principal Security Research (IoT) at Rapid7 , Deral breaks down why IoT security requires examining entire ecosystems rather than individual devices, and shares practical frameworks for testing and securing IoT infrastructure at scale. On this episode of The Future of Threat Intelligence, Deral walks David through how his team's testing methodology examines the full attack surface: embedded device firmware, cloud APIs, management interfaces, and critically — the often-overlooked inter-chip communications. Topics discussed: The development of an IoT testing methodology that maps complete device ecosystems: examining firmware extraction points, analyzing unencrypted inter-chip communications, evaluating cloud API security posture, and testing management interface access controls. A technical analysis of inter-chip communication vulnerabilities, where internal busses like I2C and SPI often transmit authentication credentials and sensitive data without encryption, even in devices with strong external security. An example of lateral movement through a state government network via unsegmented security cameras, demonstrating how default credentials and shared infrastructure bypassed department-level network isolation. A framework for building IoT security testing capabilities, progressing from web/API/mobile security foundations to hardware-specific skills like firmware analysis and bus protocol monitoring. Research findings on medical device disposal practices, identifying active directory credentials, Wi-Fi PSKs, and other sensitive data retained in second-hand equipment across five major hospital systems. Practical strategies for securing unpatchable legacy IoT devices through network segmentation, behavioral baseline monitoring, and access control reconfiguration. Integration of AI tools to accelerate IoT security testing, focusing on firmware analysis automation while maintaining human oversight of test methodology and results validation. Implementation of coordinated vulnerability disclosure programs specifically designed for IoT vendors, including practical mitigation strategies for devices that cannot be immediately patched. Key Takeaways: Map IoT device communication pathways by monitoring all traffic types and documenting API endpoints, cloud services, and management interfaces to understand the complete attack surface. Implement protocol-aware monitoring for inter-chip communications to detect unauthorized data access at the hardware level, even when external interfaces are secured. Deploy VLAN segmentation with explicit access controls for IoT devices, using separate networks for different device types with monitored cross-VLAN communication. Create device behavior baselines using network flow analysis to identify normal communication patterns and detect anomalous activities that could indicate compromise or misuse. Establish IoT asset disposal procedures that include secure erasure verification, credential revocation, and documentation of all removed sensitive data before decommissioning. Implement network access controls for legacy devices based on known-good behavior patterns, restricting communication to required services and monitoring for deviation from baseline. Deploy protocol-specific IDS rules for IoT device traffic, focusing on device-specific anomalies rather than traditional network attack signatures. Develop hardware testing capabilities by starting with API/mobile security testing, then progressively adding firmware analysis and hardware protocol monitoring skills. Create incident response playbooks specifically for IoT devices, including procedures for evidence collection from embedded systems and cloud service logs. Structure vulnerability disclosure processes around providing configuration-based mitigations when patches aren't available, focusing on network isolation and access control recommendations Join us for the 15th anniversary of RISE in San Francisco this April 8-9, where cybersecurity professionals, law enforcement, and threat intelligence analysts come together for two days of TLP-RED content sharing and hands-on collaboration in the fight against cybercrime. Apply now at http://www.cymru.com/rise .…

Future of Threat Intelligence

1
IDC's Frank Dickson on Moving from Reactive to Proactive Security Strategy 31:51

15 weeks ago31:51

31:51

What happens when you combine market research expertise with cybersecurity strategy? On this episode of The Future of Threat Intelligence, Frank Dickson , Group VP of Security & Trust at IDC , shares his journey from market research to leading a team of 20 cybersecurity analysts advising organizations on security strategy. Frank walks David through the industry's shift from reactive security to proactive threat management, discussing why traditional metrics need to evolve and how security leaders can better communicate risk to business stakeholders. His unique perspective on the CISO role's evolution, the impact of organizational complexity on security, and the strategic importance of data management reveals why technical expertise alone isn't enough for modern security leadership. Topics discussed: Moving from reactive security to proactive threat management through strategic metrics and improved risk communication approaches. The evolution of the CISO role from technical expert to business leader, including critical communication and customer service skills. Impact of organizational complexity on security effectiveness, particularly in environments with legacy systems and acquisitions. Strategic approaches to managing and leveraging threat intelligence data while avoiding unnecessary complexity and redundancy. Balancing necessary and unnecessary risks when implementing AI and machine learning in security programs. Importance of translating cyber risk into business risk for effective communication with executives and board members. The evolution of security leadership reporting structures in response to changing business technology dynamics. Building strategic security programs that focus on simplification and clear business alignment. The challenges of regulation in driving security adoption while maintaining agility and effectiveness. Developing security metrics that meaningfully communicate value and risk to business stakeholders. Key Takeaways: Implement mean time to detection and mean time to remediation as core metrics to measure security program effectiveness and efficiency. Transform threat data into actionable intelligence by aligning it specifically with your environment's outcomes and requirements. Streamline security infrastructure by consolidating tools and platforms to reduce complexity and improve manageability. Establish direct CISO-to-CEO reporting structures to effectively manage security across line-of-business technology initiatives. Develop customer service capabilities within security leadership to support sales processes and stakeholder relationships. Structure security communications around business risk rather than technical metrics to improve executive understanding and support. Create standardized taxonomies using frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK and OCSF to make security data more homogeneous and actionable. Evaluate AI implementation risks by distinguishing between necessary innovation risks and unnecessary implementation risks. Build security leadership skills progressively through compliance, business acumen, and executive communication capabilities. Maintain comprehensive data inventories to prevent orphaned data and reduce unnecessary security exposure. Join us for a milestone celebration as RISE marks its 15th year of bringing together elite cybersecurity professionals, law enforcement, and enterprise teams. Apply now to be part of RISE USA 2025 April 8 - 9th in San Francisco: https://www.team-cymru.com/rise-usa . Space is limited.…

Future of Threat Intelligence

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ISG's Jeff Orr on Moving Beyond Perimeter Defense to Dynamic Security 29:33

16 weeks ago29:33