Ransomware + Mega = Mega Cyber Pain

Did you ever read about ransomware actors? They often use mega upload to exfiltrate data! So I figured, why would we not detect this with MDE?

I mean sure we should probably block this with a custom indicator using Web Content Filtering and sure it would probably get blocked by Protective DNS but let’s say for whatever reason you don’t have those in place, let’s look at a really simple query to find mega connections in MDE:

Guides

Practical Security Assurance

Penetration testing, adversary simulation, red teaming, purple teaming, rainbow teaming, call if what you like, the security outcome we are working towards is:

Improved Security Posture
Assurance of security investments and controls
Enablement of information sharing
Collaboration and Understanding
Identification of strengths and weaknesses
Optimization and Improvement Opportunities

This is to support the organisations mission, vision, goals, and objectives. Cyber security is to support and enable the organisation’s capability to execute digital services in a safe manner.

Leadership

Red Team Readiness Assessment

I am seeing lots of “debate” about the value in red teaming, so I thought I would put together my thought process of how I look at as a broad stroke when I consider a generic starting position in an organisation. When I’m defending a business, I tend to ask myself (and the team/customers etc.) these kind of questions (they are not exhaustive):

Education

Infrastructure Penetration Testing Realities

Penetration testing is just like being a cybercriminal, right?

Honestly, it feels weird writing this, however I feel there’s a real issue with penetration testing and some myths that (for understandable and obvious reasons) exist in some people’s minds. So I’ve taken to trying to explain to people what an external penetration test actually entails in the real world of business. So here goes!

CTF

Using CTFs for offensive and defensive training – Purple…

Pwning a legacy server on Hack the Box is good for a training exercise however what about if we want to think about how to use resrouces for red and blue. Looking at both sides of the coin when thinking about offense really should help people undesrand how to defend better. In the end of the day outside of a tiny tiny fraction of deployment types, you are going to need to be able to explain how to defend regardless of engagement type (vulnerability assessment, penetration test, purple team, red team etc.)

Getting access

I’m not going to talk through every step but here’s the commands you would need to run:

Guides

If I was looking for entry level jobs in…

Sales darling, it’s all about sales. It’s a harsh but true part of the world where you need to be able to sell. I’m not talking about business to business or hunters, farmers etc. I’m talking about being able to sell to someone that you are the right person to help them and their organisation.

Now this isn’t easy in the middle or tail end of a career let alone when you are starting off. But let’s for a minute role play and look at what I would do if I was new to the cyber world and was looking for a role?

This isn’t meant as a guide, it’s off the back of a convo I’ve just had with someone struggling in the job-hunting space. So, it’s a rough brain dump from me. The key thing I would say is: Read more “If I was looking for entry level jobs in cyber security – what would I do?” →

Defense

Combating Cyber Crime: Should we really be charging to…

Sensational Press or Cyber War Mongering?

I do not know Mr Martin, but I would assume that his role at NCSC and GCHQ would have given him a good insight into the realities of cybercrime, cyber terrorism, nation state affairs and how to effectively defend against cyber criminals (and other threat actors) so please read this blog as it is intended, it’s an analysis on the quoted statements and reporting style and general view of mine about current cyber war rhetoric, not an analysis of the person. Why am I writing this? Well, I am seeing an increased level of FUD, snake oil and cyber war rhetoric and I wanted to share some of my thoughts, opinions, and ideas in this space. For it is far too easy to call for war and in cyberspace do we even know what that means? Read more “Combating Cyber Crime: Should we really be charging to cyber war?” →