Cybersecurity Today A Former Black Hat Hacker Advises Us On Security Weaknesses
Nov 8, 2025
In this intriguing discussion, Brian Black, head of security engineering at Deep Instinct and a former black hat hacker, shares his journey from illicit hacking to ethical cybersecurity. He highlights the significance of basic defenses and the vulnerabilities inherent in multi-factor authentication. The conversation dives into the challenges posed by AI in cybersecurity, including how AI-driven attacks are outpacing human defenses. Brian stresses the importance of preemptive measures and innovative strategies like red teaming to stay ahead of evolving threats.
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From Early Black Hat To Corporate Security
- Brian started hacking around age seven and continued into his 20s and 30s before retiring in 2009.
- He later returned briefly in 2015 then shifted to ethical roles and corporate security work.
Channel Kids' Hacking Into Legit Paths
- Encourage a child's curiosity in hacking but channel it into legitimate courses, games, and competitions.
- Guide them responsibly so they can build a lawful cybersecurity career instead of getting into trouble.
Basics Matter; Script-Kitties Are Back
- Back-to-basics defenses matter more than exotic protections against advanced actors.
- Script-kiddie style attacks have resurged because AI tools made simple attacks effective again.