Surviving Security Groundhog Day

In April, Ron Woerner, senior security and risk consultant, Forrester Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, gave the chapter an enlightening discussion on surviving security Groundhog Day.
Woerner talked about how he came into the military during the early days of electronic warfare. He pointed out how artificial intelligence (AI) is the hottest tech topic of 2024, but it was first introduced in 1956 at Dartmouth. Woerner pointed out that discussions of AI often swirl with mysticism regarding how an AI system functions, but in reality, it is far simpler: AI is a type of software system. He discussed "The Cuckoo's Egg," written by Clifford Stoll. The book talks about the author's efforts to track a spy through a maze of computer espionage, which ultimately ends in identifying a spy cyber network. The same questions that surfaced in tracking down the perpetrator are the exact same questions asked today. We find reoccurring Russian activity against critical infrastructures. They've found successful ways of using social media against us. They hypothetically create a national debate about any topic. Foreign influencers are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to inflame hot button issues. They don't do this to win arguments; they want to see us divided. Woerner presented a chart showing the five stages of Infosec: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance (realization that you're stuck in a loop of your own making). Woerner covered a variety of ways to break the cycle. He pointed out how important it is to know your enemies. One should study history regarding cybersecurity trends. Study security principals in the protection of computer systems that are known to work. Learn how to become a hacker, think like they do. Learn how to ask the right questions. Woerner concluded by pointing out how important it is to apply what you've learned and to practice one's ABC's (Always Be Curious).

Event Photographs: