The BlueHat Podcast

Jim Hull, Program Manager at MSRC joins Nic Fillingham and Wendy Zenone on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast to share insights into his role in reviewing vulnerability reports and managing cases. They dive into the submission process, detailing the types of reports accepted by MSRC and what happens after a researcher submits a potential vulnerability. The conversation also highlights the accessibility of the portal for anyone interested in identifying security issues, whether they are professionals or hobbyists. Jim explains the importance of providing clear proof of concept when submitting a vulnerability and walks through the steps MSRC takes to triage, reproduce, and resolve reports.    In This Episode You Will Learn:       Why a detailed proof of concept is essential when submitting a vulnerability  How the MSRC collaborates with engineers at Microsoft to resolve vulnerabilities  The importance of including video or image documentation to support reports    Some Questions We Ask:        What is the vulnerability triage process at MSRC?  How long does it take to fix a vulnerability after it’s been reported?  Why is it important to use the researcher portal instead of email or social media?     Resources:   Microsoft Security Response Center     View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn   View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn    Related Microsoft Podcasts:     Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Uncovering Hidden Risks       Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts     The BlueHat Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

Guy Arazi, a UK-based security expert at Microsoft, joins Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Guy discusses his journey in security, which began in 2018 when he joined Microsoft, and his current role focusing on online services vulnerabilities within the MSRC (Microsoft Security Response Center). They delve into the concept of variant hunting, a critical process in identifying and mitigating repeated patterns of security vulnerabilities across multiple products and services. Guy explains that while static analysis tools are useful, they often require more complex, tailored approaches to detect these recurring issues. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the root cause of vulnerabilities and using both human insight and automated tools to address them across the vast codebase of Microsoft's offerings.    In This Episode You Will Learn:      The challenges of variant hunting and its significant impact on improving overall security  Growing complexity of variant hunting and the necessity of thorough documentation  What is important to consider when approaching a security vulnerability    Some Questions We Ask:       Are there industry tools or publicly available resources you recommend for variant hunting?  How can you identify the security boundary a vulnerability affects?  Is variant hunting something only humans can do, or can tools and automation help?    Resources:   View Guy Arazi on LinkedIn      View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn   View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn    Related Microsoft Podcasts:    Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Uncovering Hidden Risks       Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts     The BlueHat Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

Ryen Macababbad, Principal Security Program Manager at Microsoft joins Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Ryen discusses their career journey, including the return to Microsoft after working in security architecture and customer trust engineering. Ryen shares insights from their time at Hacker Summer Camp 2024 in Las Vegas, emphasizing the importance of creating frictionless security measures that don't hinder productivity. They explain that when security becomes a barrier, users will find workarounds, potentially compromising security. The conversation touches on the evolving relationship between security and productivity teams, highlighting the need for security to be an enabler rather than an obstacle.      In This Episode You Will Learn:       How investing in security helps maintain customer trust and protects revenue  Why security should be built-in by default so users don't need to be security experts  The importance of incorporating feedback and diverse viewpoints to enhance security      Some Questions We Ask:        How is a seamless security and productivity experience provided for end users?  Can security researchers contribute to identifying gaps and improving product security?  What motivated the shift from a focus on identity and program management to defensive security?    Resources:   View Ryen Macababbad on LinkedIn      View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn   View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn    Related Microsoft Podcasts:     Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Uncovering Hidden Risks       Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Michael Howard, Senior Director at Microsoft joins Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Michael shares his journey at Microsoft, starting from his early days in New Zealand as part of a small team of ten. He discusses his extensive career, his contributions to cybersecurity, and his role in the development of essential security books like "Writing Secure Code" and "The Security Development Lifecycle." Michael reflects on the importance of fundamental security principles and how they remain relevant today. He also touches on his recent move within Microsoft to John Lambert's team, where he continues to focus on security culture and education. The conversation delves into the origins of the Blue Hat conference, Michael's experiences at the first event, and the ongoing significance of secure coding practices and mitigations.      In This Episode You Will Learn:     Critical aspects of secure software development and pivotal moments in Microsoft's security  The importance of using specific coding constructs and libraries to improve security  Findings on vulnerabilities that spurred significant security improvements in SQL Server    Some Questions We Ask:       How do you deploy security patches effectively while minimizing disruptions?  What coding constructs and compiler flags did you recommend for better security?  How did external researchers at Blue Hat conferences impact Microsoft's culture?    Resources:   View Michael Howard on LinkedIn     View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn   View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn    The Microsoft Azure Security Podcast   Michael Howard (@michael_howard) on X (twitter.com)  Latest book: Designing and Developing Secure Azure Solutions (Developer Best Practices): Howard, Michael, Simone, Curzi, Heinrich, Gantenbein: 9780137908752: Amazon.com: Books    Related Microsoft Podcasts:    Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Uncovering Hidden Risks     Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   The BlueHat Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

Yonatan Zunger, CVP of AI Safety & Security at Microsoft joins Nic Fillingham and Wendy Zenone on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Yonatan explains the distinction between generative and predictive AI, noting that while predictive AI excels in classification and recommendation, generative AI focuses on summarizing and role-playing. He highlights how generative AI's ability to process natural language and role-play has vast potential, though its applications are still emerging. He contrasts this with predictive AI's strength in handling large datasets for specific tasks. Yonatan emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in AI development, stressing the need for continuous safety engineering and diverse perspectives to anticipate and mitigate potential failures. He provides examples of AI's positive and negative uses, illustrating the importance of designing systems that account for various scenarios and potential misuses.      In This Episode You Will Learn:       How predictive AI anticipates outcomes based on historical data  The difficulties and strategies involved in making AI systems safe and secure from misuse  How role-playing exercises help developers understand the behavior of AI systems    Some Questions We Ask:        What distinguishes predictive AI from generative AI?  Can generative AI be used to improve decision-making processes?  What is the role of unit testing and test cases in policy and AI system development?    Resources:   View Yonatan Zunger on LinkedIn      View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn   View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn    Related Microsoft Podcasts:     Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Uncovering Hidden Risks       Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Craig Nelson, leader of Microsoft's Red Team joins Nic Fillingham and Wendy Zenone on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Craig explains how the Red Team simulates attacks on Microsoft's infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities and protect customer data stored in the cloud. He emphasizes the importance of these simulated attacks in preparing for real threats and describes the collaborative efforts with other security teams at Microsoft, such as the Azure penetration testing team and the Microsoft Security Response Center. Craig shares his personal journey into cybersecurity, highlighting his early fascination with cryptography and computer security. He also discusses the unique challenges and strategies of Red Teaming at Microsoft, including the need to influence engineering teams and the importance of systemic thinking to create durable security solutions.    In This Episode You Will Learn:     The need for early detection of vulnerabilities during the development lifecycle  Why a mix of technical and persuasive skill build successful red teams  Significance of internal security education and training initiatives    Some Questions We Ask:      What projects are you pursuing in AI and security?  How do you have conversations with engineers to influence their security decisions?  What skills are important for someone aspiring to join the Red Team?     Resources:   View Craig Nelson on LinkedIn    View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn   View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn  Related Microsoft Podcasts:    Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Uncovering Hidden Risks       Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Dmitrijs Trizna, Security Researcher at Microsoft joins Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Dmitrijs explains his role at Microsoft, focusing on AI-based cyber threat detection for Kubernetes and Linux platforms. Dmitrijs explores the complex landscape of securing AI systems, focusing on the emerging challenges of Trustworthy AI. He delves into how threat actors exploit vulnerabilities through techniques like backdoor poisoning, using gradual benign inputs to deceive AI models. Dmitrijs highlights the multidisciplinary approach required for effective AI security, combining AI expertise with rigorous security practices. He also discusses the resilience of gradient-boosted decision trees against such attacks and shares insights from his recent presentation at Blue Hat India, where he noted a strong interest in AI security.       In This Episode You Will Learn:       The concept of Trustworthy AI and its importance in today's technology landscape  How threat actors exploit AI vulnerabilities using backdoor poisoning techniques  The role of frequency and unusual inputs in compromising AI model integrity      Some Questions We Ask:        Could you elaborate on the resilience of gradient-boosted decision trees in AI security?  What interdisciplinary approaches are necessary for effective AI security?  How do we determine acceptable thresholds for AI model degradation in security contexts?       Resources:   View Dmitrijs Trizna on LinkedIn   View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn   View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn    Related Microsoft Podcasts:     Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Uncovering Hidden Risks       Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   The BlueHat Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

Shawn Hernan, Partner Security Engineering Group Manager at Microsoft joins Wendy Zenone and Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Shawn leads Microsoft Cloud & AI Security Assurance, overseeing an international team of security professionals dedicated to proactively addressing security challenges through vulnerability research, penetration testing, and threat modeling. Drawing from his extensive experience in early cybersecurity, Shawn shares valuable insights into the evolving landscape, stressing the significance of academic knowledge and practical experience. From navigating intricate technical terrains to fostering a growth mindset, this episode provides a compelling glimpse into the ongoing pursuit of security excellence in today's digital era.      In This Episode You Will Learn:       Addressing root causes of vulnerabilities reported by third parties or found internally  Developing tools and a deep understanding of specific classes of vulnerabilities  Research on areas like crypto hygiene and missing integrity vulnerabilities    Some Questions We Ask:        How does your team handle variant hunting for critical cases?  When researchers find issues in Azure, how does your team get involved?  How do you foster a security culture within Microsoft and your team?    Resources:   View Shawn Hernan on LinkedIn      View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn  View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn  Related Microsoft Podcasts:     Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Uncovering Hidden Risks     Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Gallagher, VP of Engineering and head of MSRC, joins Wendy Zenone and Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. After nearly 25 years at Microsoft, Tom reflects on his early days at the company, where he started as a penetration tester on SharePoint, offering insights into the evolving landscape of cybersecurity since 1999. Tom shares a few different experiences from his journey, including auditing a local ISP's security in exchange for a job, and his transition from an intern working on Internet Explorer's rendering engine to key roles in Office and eventually MSRC. Through Tom's experiences, you’ll gain a unique perspective on Microsoft's cybersecurity evolution and the broader industry landscape.       In This Episode You Will Learn:       A Clippy vulnerability that exemplifies the importance of external insights  How you can support teams when they find vulnerabilities in their code  Tom's experiences attending early Black Hat and DEFCON conferences      Some Questions We Ask:        How does your experience as a bug hunter influence your role at MSRC?  Can you elaborate on the process of mitigating vulnerabilities quickly within SFI?  Will you explain Trustworthy Computing and its significance in Microsoft's history?     Resources:   View Tom Gallagher on LinkedIn       View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn  View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn    Related Microsoft Podcasts:     Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Uncovering Hidden Risks       Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aaron Tng, a Microsoft Student Ambassador and BlueHat Conference Speaker, joins Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Aaron shares how his curiosity during the pandemic in 2020, sparked by the surge in cyber-attacks, propelled him into the world of cybersecurity. Through dedicated self-learning and leveraging resources like the Microsoft Learn website, Aaron achieved multiple certifications, laying the foundation for his expertise in cybersecurity.  Aaron is also passionate about the impact of Cybersecurity on society and actively promoting K-12 Cybersecurity Awareness and Education. He unveils his comprehensive four-point plan, which encompasses fundamental courses, advanced studies, educator training, and real-life internship opportunities. Aaron emphasizes the importance of moving beyond surface-level internet safety education, advocating for a deeper understanding of secure coding and threat modeling.       In This Episode You Will Learn:       The different resources utilized for Aaron’s cybersecurity education  Aspirations for the future of cybersecurity education  How Aaron founded a student-led nonprofit called Cyber Secure it      Some Questions We Ask:        What challenges did you face presenting to the Washington State Board of Education?  How did you earn multiple cybersecurity certifications while still in high school?  Why do you believe it's crucial to move beyond surface-level internet safety?      Resources:   View Aaron Tng on LinkedIn     View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn  View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn    Related Microsoft Podcasts:     Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Uncovering Hidden Risks       Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dor Dali, Head of Security Research at Cyolo, joins Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. They delve into Dor's journey into cybersecurity, from pranking friends as a teenager to his professional roles, including his involvement in the Blue Hat conference through GE, where he helped create the Capture The Flag (CTF) challenge. Dor details the vulnerabilities in the RDP protocol by closely following the protocol specifications and identifying discrepancies that led to security flaws. They detail a vulnerability related to RDP Gateway's UDP cookie authentication process, the implications of Dor's research for other security researchers and hackers and the importance of leveraging available resources, such as protocol specifications and open-source implementations, to understand closed-source systems better and potentially uncover vulnerabilities.      In This Episode You Will Learn:       The unique perspective Dor has with RDP security research  How to approach security research when following the protocol specifications  The importance of clear documentation in preventing security vulnerabilities      Some Questions We Ask:        How did you design and build the Capture the Flag event?  Did you face any unexpected hurdles while researching the RDP protocol's security?  Have you found other security vulnerabilities by closely adhering to protocol specifications?      Resources:   View Dor Dali on LinkedIn    View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn  View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn    Related Microsoft Podcasts:     Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Uncovering Hidden Risks       Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cyber Security Content Creator, Speaker & Ethical Hacker, Katie Paxton-Fear, joins Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Katie holds a PhD in defense and security AI plus cybersecurity and works as an academic, teaching undergraduate students cybersecurity topics. She also runs a popular YouTube channel focused on bug bounty hunting, hacking, and pen testing. Katie shares her journey into cybersecurity, reflects on her initial interest in undeciphered languages and how it parallels her approach to cybersecurity, both involving a fascination with solving mysteries and uncovering hidden meanings.     In This Episode You Will Learn:       Approaching AI systems with caution when translating less-documented languages  Concerns surrounding the use of copyrighted training data in AI systems  Recognizing and addressing AI system limitations and biases in real-world deployments.    Some Questions We Ask:        Can fine-tuning AI models prevent degradation and improve performance?  What are the ethical implications of putting sensitive information into AI systems  How does relying on niche or obscure training data impact AI models?    Resources:   View Katie Paxton-Fear on LinkedIn   View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn  View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn    Related Microsoft Podcasts:     Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Uncovering Hidden Risks       Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Jennings, VP of Research & Development at Push Security joins Wendy Zenone and Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Luke explains his recent presentation on a new SaaS cyber kill chain, exploring how attackers might target modern organizations heavily reliant on cloud and SaaS services, even when traditional infrastructure is minimal. The latest kill chain involves developing attack techniques specific to this environment, covering topics like lateral movement without conventional network infrastructure and adapting known techniques such as password guessing attacks to the SaaS landscape. Luke, Wendy, and Nic discuss the complexities of SaaS security, the intricacies of evil twin integrations, detection challenges, mitigation strategies, and the overall impact of these security issues on organizations.       In This Episode You Will Learn:       Identifying malicious activities and understanding normal application behavior  The importance of having structured methodologies for approving SaaS app usage  Challenges organizations face in detecting and preventing SaaS application threats      Some Questions We Ask:        How can an organization create alerts for new, unknown SaaS app integrations?  What happens when a SaaS app integration is duplicated by an attacker?  Would having a structured methodology for SaaS app usage help minimize risk?    Resources:   View Luke Jennings on LinkedIn   View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn  View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:     Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Uncovering Hidden Risks         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lea Snyder, Principal Security Engineer at Microsoft joins Wendy Zenone and Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Lea is a security leader focused on security strategy and helping organizations mature their security posture and security programs, focusing on areas including IAM, product security, and risk management. Lea explains her unique role as a security architect, highlighting problem-solving across various domains within Microsoft. She shares her unconventional path to cybersecurity, starting with a background in economics and an MBA, and how she transitioned from IT roles to security. Lea, Wendy, and Nic discuss the importance of diverse backgrounds in the industry and offer advice on entering the cybersecurity field. Lea also discusses her involvement in community-driven conferences, particularly B-sides, highlighting their diverse and unique content.       In This Episode You Will Learn:       Tips for submitting conference proposals  Challenges when balancing anonymity during a submission  The importance of a supportive approach in the conference submission process    Some Questions We Ask:        Is there a typical anonymization process to ensure fairness and inclusivity?  What are some challenges when selecting talks that resonate with an audience?  Can you elaborate on the value behind B-sides conferences and the unique atmosphere?     Resources:   View Lea Snyder on LinkedIn  View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn  View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:     Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Uncovering Hidden Risks         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dustin Heywood, Hacker, Researcher, and Senior Leader at IBM, joins Wendy Zenone and Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Dustin provided a live demonstration of cracking NTLM version 1 during his BlueHat presentation, showcasing the process of responding to challenges, using coercion techniques, and ultimately extracting and cracking the NTLM hash. Dustin, Nic, and Wendy discuss checking group policies, auditing every object, ensuring relevant systems, and managing IT assets effectively. They emphasize the importance of IT asset management and recommend quarantining legacy systems with restricted access.       In This Episode You Will Learn:       Why security professionals need business skills for effective communication  Advice for auditing legacy systems with vulnerable protocols   Extracting DPAPI keys and decrypting browser session history      Some Questions We Ask:        How do you manage risk for legacy systems deemed necessary for business?  Can you discuss some of the outdated protocols in current IT environments?  What guidance would you offer to IT professionals looking to audit their systems?    Resources:   View Dustin Heywood on LinkedIn  View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn  View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:     Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Uncovering Hidden Risks     Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.