From PSTN to Zero Trust: A Cybersecurity Consultant’s Journey

There’s a certain rhythm to having the third coffee that just gets me buzzing with ideas. (Especially when I think about how far cybersecurity has come—and where it’s heading.) So, as I sit here at my desk, still riding the adrenaline wave from DefCon’s hardware hacking village, I can’t help but reflect on the twisting path that led me here.

Here’s the thing—I’ve been in this arena since the early ’90s when networks were simpler (though never easy) and cybersecurity wasn’t a household term. Back then, I cut my teeth working as a network admin—fiddling around with the networking and mux for voice and data over PSTN. Man, those were the days when a downtime meant manually checking every connection.

Quick Take

• Cybersecurity has evolved drastically since the ’90s.
• Zero-trust architecture is now a must for financial institutions.
• DefCon is still the place to witness cutting edge hardware hacking.
• Legacy systems taught invaluable lessons—but I wouldn’t go back.
• Skeptical about “AI-powered” in security solutions.

The Slammer Worm Wake-Up Call

Let’s talk about one of the defining moments in cybersecurity—the Slammer Worm. Back in 2003, it hit faster than anyone could have anticipated. I was front and center, witnessing the chaos unfold as networks went down globally. It was a wake-up call—like realizing your car’s brakes don’t work while speeding down a highway. It taught us about the need for robust security measures and, more importantly, the ability to respond quickly.

From Slammer, we learned to face two critical facts:

• **Speed is everything** when it comes to incident response.
• Your network’s security measures can’t be static.

Running My Own Security Company

Fast forward to today—I run my own security company. That shift was monumental—not flaless, of course, but absolutely exhilarating. Helping businesses, especially banks, navigate the treacherous waters of cybersecurity is more than just a job to me; it’s a calling.

Recently, I helped three banks upgrade their security to a zero-trust architecture. And wow, if you ever find a week where you’re sleeping more than three hours a night, you’re probably missing something. But the results? Absolutely worth the caffeine overdose.

Zero-Trust Architecture: Building Digital Fortresses

So, what’s the deal with zero-trust architecture? Imagine your data is the delicious, perfectly-cooked steak, and you’re planning a barbecue. You’re not going to leave it unattended around a herd of hungry people, right? That’s zero-trust in essence—assuming breach and verifying everything

Key Components

• Network Segmentation.
• Identity and Access Management (IAM).
• Continuous Monitoring.
• Data Encryption.

Implement these effectively, and you’re on your way to building a digital fortress.

But don’t get complacent—technology is constantly evolving, and so should your security measures.

The DefCon Experience

Just got back from DefCon, and I’m still electrified by the energy there. It’s like being in a room full of kindred spirits who speak your language—albeit with new dialects. The hardware hacking village? A goldmine of inspiration. The hands-on sessions with everyone from beginners to moguls in the field? Priceless.

And that’s not even touching on the debates on AI in security. Honestly, I remain skeptical. AI promises a lot, but it sometimes feels like a fancy icing on a cake that’s yet to bake averagely. Robust, human-driven protocols are yet irreplaceable.

Rants and Raves: Password Policies

Now, here’s a thing I absolutely can’t stand—mindless password policies. (I know, ironic, right?) There was a time passwords were simple, but now… complexity rules can sometimes be utterly convoluted and ineffective.

Here’s how to do it right:

• Use passphrases instead of traditional passwords.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) where possible.
• Regularly update passwords but avoid unreasonable constraints.

In Conclusion

Here I am, sipping my coffee, thinking about the miles traveled since those early days in 1993. From PSTN to Slammer to zero-trust—that journey has been wild. But every challenge has equipped me—not just with gadgets or techniques, but the mindset to anticipate, adapt, and evolve.

Certainly, there’s still much to learn. But isn’t that what keeps this field so damn exhilarating?

Until next time, stay curious and stay secure.