A critical infrastructure hack hits the headlines – involving default passwords, boasts on Telegram, and a finale that will make a few cyber-crooks wish the ground would swallow them whole.
Meanwhile we dig into the bit we don’t talk about enough: the human cost of defending companies from hackers – stress, burnout, and how better leadership culture can help make security teams safer and saner.
Plus we say a heartfelt “la di dah” to Diane Keaton, and tune in to a freshly re-released slice of pre-Fleetwood Mac history for the music-obsessed amongst us.
All this and more is discussed in episode 439 of “Smashing Security” podcast with cybersecurity veteran Graham Cluley, and his special guest Annabel Berry.
Host:
Graham Cluley:
Guest:
Annabel Berry
Episode links:
- Cyber-attacks rise by 50% in past year, UK security agency says – The Guardian.
- What does the end of free support for Windows 10 mean for its users? – The Guardian.
- Satellites found exposing unencrypted data, including phone calls and some military comms – TechCrunch.
- Anatomy of a Hacktivist Attack: Russian-Aligned Group Targets OT/ICS – Forescout.
- Caught in the act: Ransomware attack sticks to our AI-created honeypot – Forescout.
- Human Performance in Security Operations: A Survey on Burnout, Wellbeing and Flow State Among Practitioners – NDSS Symposium.
- State of the Security Profession 23/24 – Chartered Institute of Information Security.
- Leading Cyber.
- Mental Health in Cybersecurity Foundation.
- “Play it Again, Sam” – IMDB.
- “Play it Again, Sam” clip – YouTube.
- “Buckingham Nicks” – Spotify.
- Fleetwood Mac – Silver Springs (Live, 1997) – YouTube.
- Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)
If anything we’ve discussed today has resonated with you, or if you’re going through a tough time, please know you are not alone. There is always someone ready to listen, without judgment. Here are a few of the available resources:
- Shout – text 85258 (24×7)
- Samaritans – tel 116123 (24×7)
- Suicide prevention – tel 0800 689 5652 (6pm – 3.30am)
- SANEline – tel 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm – 10.30pm)
Sponsored by:
- SecAlerts – SecAlerts makes your job easier by matching vulnerabilities to your software, using information as soon as it’s released. Use code SMASHING for 50% off a year subscription.
- ANON – Find, monitor and remove data about yourself online. Manage your digital footprint with ease. Use code SMASHING for a 25% discount.
- Vanta – Expand the scope of your security program with market-leading compliance automation… while saving time and money. Smashing Security listeners get $1000 off!
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Thanks:
Theme tune: “Vinyl Memories” by Mikael Manvelyan.
Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.