🌟 Reflecting on an Incredible Experience at SecTor 2024 🌟
I had the privilege of attending all three days of the #BlackHat #Security Education Conference Toronto (SecTor) alongside my colleague Prit Diyora, and it was an unforgettable experience! From the Cloud Security Summit to the Briefings and Arsenal sessions, each provided invaluable insights into the latest developments in #cybersecurity.
🎤 Keynotes:
Leigh Honeywell’s keynote on “Protecting Canadian Democracy” was incredibly enlightening, highlighting the trends in targeted attacks and the evolution of influence campaigns.
On the final day, Omkhar Arasaratnam delivered a detailed keynote on the XZ-Utils backdoor, revealing how an open-source tool’s software supply chain was compromised via social engineering. Fascinating (and alarming) stuff!
🛡️ Briefings:
The sessions were packed with insights on cloud security, AI-driven threat detection, identity-based risks, automation, and proactive defenses. It’s clear that the future of cybersecurity will be driven by integration and resilience, especially in tackling identity risks and cloud vulnerabilities.
🚀 Tool Booths:
I got a chance to get a sneak-peek of Microsoft’s soon-to-be-released Purview AI Hub, diving deep into the latest advancements in AI-driven cybersecurity. It was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with peers and engage in technical discussions with experts from Packetlabs, CrowdStrike, Darktrace, Okta, Qualys.
🔬 Arsenal Labs Highlights:
“Living off the O365 Land with PowerPwn” by Avishai Efrat showcased how attackers leverage AI to guess tenant details in Entra attacks and escalate access for further damage.
“DetentionDodger” by Belon Porko shed light on credential hacking and exposed critical security gaps in existing credential policies.
🤝 I had the privilege of meeting and learning from experts like Mandy Neely, Deepti Gupta, Ph.D., Matthew Davis, and Eric W., who generously shared their insights on how AI and automation are transforming cybersecurity.
💡 Key Takeaways:
Engage with Leadership: Don’t hesitate to approach leaders—they are often willing to explain the big picture, helping you see beyond the technical details.
Maximize Booth Interactions: The booths offer a hands-on way to explore new tools and technologies.
Understand Tools Thoroughly: When exploring different tools, ask about their unique features and how they compare to competitors. This will help you better understand their capabilities and how they fit into your ecosystem.
I’m extremely grateful to Cavallo Technologies Inc., Rob Cavallo, and Sergey Rikhter for giving me this wonderful opportunity to attend, and I look forward to applying everything I’ve learned. 🙏
See you next year, SecTor! I look forward to having a speaking gig someday at SecTor.
#Cybersecurity #CloudSecurity #AI #IdentitySecurity #Networking #SecTor2024 #TechCommunity #Gratitude