Be Fearless Podcast by SquareX

In this episode of The Be Fearless Podcast, SquareX Founder and CEO Vivek Ramachandran has a conversation with Abbas Kudrati, Asia’s Chief Cybersecurity Advisor, Microsoft. With a wealth of experience in corporate cybersecurity, and being a writer of multiple bestselling books, Abbas shares his security journey, advice to CISOs, security paradigms and more!0:00 Introduction and Abbas's Cybersecurity Journey4:39 Being a Cybersecurity Author7:45 Zero Trust and Its Future16:00 Identity-based Attacks and Password Spraying18:55 Abbas's Thoughts on Browser Security24:39 Abbas's Thoughts on SquareX29:21 Advice for Aspiring CISOs37:42 Closing Thoughts and Why CISOs Need to Learn the BusinessSquareX helps organizations detect, mitigate, and threat hunt web attacks happening against their users in real-time. Find out more about SquareX at https://www.sqrx.com/🔔 Follow Abbas and Vivek on:https://twitter.com/askudratihttps://twitter.com/vivekramac📖 Episode Summary:In this episode of The Be Fearless Podcast, we talk with Abbas Kudrati, Chief Cybersecurity Advisor at Microsoft Asia. Abbas shares his journey from studying accounting to becoming a key player in cybersecurity. He explains his current role at Microsoft, where he advises CISOs in Asia and represents Microsoft at conferences.Abbas describes his path to cybersecurity, starting with an interest in programming and moving from system administration to security after a hacking incident at his company. He talks about how his technical experience helped him progress in his career and the importance of self-study and continuous learning.The discussion covers key cybersecurity topics like Zero Trust, identity-based attacks, and browser security. Abbas offers practical advice for aspiring CISOs, stressing the importance of understanding business needs and communicating security risks effectively. He also talks about the role of generative AI and the importance of data privacy and compliance in today's cybersecurity landscape.🔥 Powered by SquareXDeployed as a lightweight extension, SquareX turns any browser, on any device, into a secure enterprise browser. Find out more about SquareX at https://hubs.la/Q03rPcbf0

In the inaugural episode of The Be Fearless Podcast, SquareX Founder and CEO Vivek Ramachandran sits down with Jeff Moss, founder of DEF CON and Black Hat, to discuss everything from the origins of both conferences to how the browser is increasingly becoming a platform of its own, networking advice, and more!0:10 Introduction13:59 Growth and Challenges of Organizing Large-Scale Hacking Conferences20:25 The Story Behind Black Hat30:01 On DEF CON Trainings43:55 Would DEF CON ever allow an AI Speaker?59:27 On security products moving to the cloud1:06:50 How web attacks on enterprises can occur1:18:55 Closing Remarks and Jeff's advice for starting your cybersecurity journey🔔 Follow Jeff and Vivek on:https://defcon.social/@thedarktangenthttps://twitter.com/vivekramac📖 Episode Summary:Jeff Moss, founder of DEF CON and Black Hat, started his journey in cybersecurity with a hacking bulletin board system (BBS) during his high school and college years. This platform became a precursor to the creation of DEF CON, initially conceived as a farewell party for a networking group. When the original organizer disappeared, Jeff opened the event to everyone, fostering a community of sharing and learning. This inclusivity set DEF CON apart from other exclusive hacking conferences of the time and laid the foundation for a vibrant, open cybersecurity community.Jeff also discusses the evolution of the term "hacker" and its shift from a positive connotation within the community to a more negative public perception. He underscores the importance of maintaining the original spirit of hacking—curiosity and problem-solving. Reflecting on the role of AI and automation in cybersecurity, Jeff notes that while these technologies can assist with basic tasks, they cannot replace the nuanced understanding and expertise required for high-quality research and presentations.As one of our advisors, Jeff also talks about SquareX. Being a browser-native solution allows SquareX to be closer to the user's interaction point, represents the next frontier in cybersecurity. Jeff believes that such innovative approaches are crucial for the industry's future.Towards the end of the podcast, Jeff also highlights the importance of passion, practical experience, and networking for aspiring cybersecurity professionals. He advises against shortcuts and emphasizes the long-term benefits of integrity and reliability. Reflecting on his 30-year career, Moss attributes his longevity to a dedicated team and the constant influx of creative individuals at DEF CON. 🔥 Powered by SquareXDeployed as a lightweight extension, SquareX turns any browser, on any device, into a secure enterprise browser. Find out more about SquareX at https://hubs.la/Q03rPcbf0