Click Here Mic Drop: Catching a tempest in a honeypot
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Jun 20, 2025 Steve Schmidt, Chief Security Officer at Amazon, dives into the fascinating world of cybersecurity with a focus on MadPot, a honeypot that lured in the notorious Volt Typhoon hacking group. He discusses the innovative use of digital decoys to expose threats and highlights that in the age of AI, human vulnerabilities remain the biggest risk. Schmidt also emphasizes how AI is a double-edged sword, enhancing defenses yet also being weaponized by attackers. He wraps up with insights on the implications of cloud technology in modern security strategies.
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Amazon's Extensive Honeypot Network
- Honeypots are designed to lure adversaries by appearing vulnerable.
- Amazon deploys tens of thousands globally, attracting probes within 90 seconds of activation.
MadPot Exposed Volt Typhoon
- MadPots helped detect Volt Typhoon, a Chinese hacking group targeting U.S. critical infrastructure.
- This digital decoy exposed one of the most sophisticated cyber operations early on.
Responding to Cyber Threats
- Validate findings rigorously before acting on threat intelligence.
- Notify targeted customers and coordinate with law enforcement and industry to mitigate threats.