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Security Blog

  • Virtual Patching

    Virtual patching, adding rules to a WAF to filter out traffic exploiting known vulnerabilities, is beneficial. While it shortens the mitigation window, the real debate lies in managing the underlying vulnerability. Some argue for fixing the specific vulnerability, while others advocate fixing the entire category of vulnerabilities for long-term benefits.

  • DDoS Thoughts

    DDoS attack efficiency is typically measured in bits-per-second ratios. To extend this measurement, we can use “flits per second” to gauge cost and impact. Reducing attack ratios and increasing client costs are key defensive strategies. Traffic filtering and capacity increases offer potential solutions.

  • Compliance, Security, and the relations therein

    As an amateur hairdresser, I’ve learned that just like the diverse disciplines within information security, there are countless techniques and specialties in hairstyling. It reminds me to approach other professionals with humility, acknowledging their expertise in their respective fields. We all have valuable knowledge to contribute.

  • Security and hairdressing

    Being an amateur hairdresser has taught me a valuable lesson about the diverse disciplines within information security. Just like braiding hair, where I’ve only scratched the surface, I’ve realized that I may only know bits and pieces about the various security specialties. It’s important to approach other professionals with humility, recognizing their expertise in their…

  • The Problem with Password Unmasking

    There is a disagreement regarding whether passwords should be shown in clear text or masked while being typed. One perspective argues that password masking reduces usability and offers limited protection against snoopers. However, the opposing view emphasizes the importance of security and raises questions about the effectiveness of unmasking passwords. The ultimate solution lies in…

  • Sanitization vs. crypto

    Bruce Schneier disagrees with NIST’s stance on encryption as a means of sanitization. He argues that properly implemented encryption, with secure key management, can effectively sanitize data. While NIST has removed the paragraph, Schneier acknowledges the numerous qualifications required for encryption to be fully secure, suggesting that sanitization should still be performed when possible.

  • Security and Obscurity

    The mantra “Security through obscurity is no security at all” originated from concerns about proprietary cryptographic algorithms. However, in the context of security systems and architectures, obscurity plays a crucial role. No system is perfectly secure, so a good security professional aims to reduce vulnerabilities and make exploitation costly. Layered security and maintaining architectural details…

  • Social Engineering Self-training

    In contrast to traditional security systems, social engineering has an interesting advantage: the more unsuccessful attempts made to deceive someone, the better prepared they become to resist future attacks. Each failed social engineering attempt serves as valuable training for the target, enhancing their defenses.

  • Phishing
    Phishing

    While we prioritize phishing prevention in banking, other sites like LinkedIn may become targets for identity thieves. The ease of phishing login information and the potential to exploit trust within a professional network highlight the need for heightened vigilance beyond banking. Personal experiences remind us to be more cautious.

  • Invisibility Cloak
    Invisibility Cloak

    As the possibility of invisibility draws nearer, its potential implications become apparent. Scary applications include concealed weapons, bombs, and potential traffic hazards. However, in the cool category, it opens doors for urban renewal, architectural innovations, and even portable privacy umbrellas, although such technologies may also have concerning uses.

Leadership Newsletter

  • Who’s in charge here?
    Who’s in charge here?

    Leadership Moment: Constraining Authority The Daf Yomi is the practice of studying the Talmud, in a page a day. This last week, the daily page included Bava Metzia 59, one of the key moments in legal leadership in the history of humankind. It starts out really boringly: an argument between the rabbis about whether an… Read this …

  • Let my message go…
    Let my message go…

    Leadership Moment: The Perfect is the Enemy of the Now It’s been a crazy month here, and despite some great plans for the newsletter, I kept failing to execute on them – and there’s a leadership lesson right there: sometimes, you build up your own requirements for success so high that, in failing to meet… Read this …

  • Don’t Be The Bear
    Don’t Be The Bear

    Leadership Moment: Begging Forgiveness, or Planning Harm? Two weeks ago, I wrote about the entertaining experience of watching a hotel clerk completely ignore me for ten minutes. To be clear, at any point I could have advocated for myself. I could have written my checkout note on a piece of paper, and then called my… Read this …

Fiction