Packet Protector
Join us at the intersection of networking and security! Whether you’re fending off ransomware attacks, securing remote workers, hunting for rogue IoT devices, or gearing up for your latest compliance audit, Packet Protector provides practical information that IT and infrastructure pros can put to work. Every episode covers the latest security headlines and then drills into essential topics to provide technical and strategic insights on wired and wireless network security, access control, cloud security, pen testing and red/blue teaming, security hardware and software, and more. Whether security is your full-time job or one of your many responsibilities, Packet Protector is your go-to cybersecurity resource.
Latest episodes
Jul 1, 2025 • 42min
PP069: A Quantum Primer: It’s More Than Cracking Crypto
Quantum computing is here, and it’s being used for more than cracking encryption. On today’s Packet Protector we get a primer on quantum, how it differs from classical computing, its applications for difficult computing problems, why quantum will be the death of blockchain, and how to think about quantum risks. Our guest, Johna Johnson, is... Read more »
Jun 24, 2025 • 39min
PP068: Common Kubernetes Risks and What to Do About Them
Today’s Packet Protector digs into risks and threats you might encounter in a Kubernetes environment, what to do about them, and why sometimes a paved path (or boring technology) is the smartest option. My guest is Natalie Somersall, Principal Solutions Engineer for the Public Sector at Chainguard. We talk about risks including identity and access... Read more »
Jun 17, 2025 • 36min
PP067: Protecting Secrets With Vault and TruffleHog
Secrets trickle out through misconfigurations, poor tooling, and rushed Git commits. Today’s guest, John Howard, joins us on Packet Protector to walk through practical secrets management with Vault and TruffleHog to help make sure you don’t expose your privates. John discusses work he’s done to build an automated process in his organization for developers and... Read more »
Jun 10, 2025 • 42min
PP066: News Roundup – NIST’s New Exploit Metric, Windows RDP Issues, Compromised Routers, and More
Our security news roundup discusses the compromise of thousands of ASUS routers and the need to perform a full factory reset to remove the malware, why Microsoft allows users to log into Windows via RDP using revoked passwords, and the ongoing risk to US infrastructure from “unexplained communications equipment” being found in Chinese-made electrical equipment... Read more »
Jun 3, 2025 • 34min
PP065: A Microsegmentation Overview
Explore the fascinating world of microsegmentation, a crucial strategy for modern network security. Discover how it fits into the zero trust model and how it differs from traditional VLANs. The podcast dives into real-world applications, particularly in healthcare IoT, where microsegmentation helps secure vulnerable devices against threats like malware. Learn about a roadmap for implementing zero trust, the challenges of monitoring segments, and innovative vendor solutions enhancing security strategies.
May 27, 2025 • 43min
PP064: How Aviatrix Tackles Multi-Cloud Security Challenges (Sponsored)
Aviatrix is a cloud network security company that helps you secure connectivity to and among public and private clouds. On today’s Packet Protector, sponsored by Aviatrix, we get details on how Aviatrix works, and dive into a new feature called the Secure Network Supervisor Agent. This tool uses AI to help you monitor and troubleshoot... Read more »
May 20, 2025 • 53min
PP063: Wi-Fi Security and AI in the WLAN at Mobility Field Day
Wireless security takes center stage in this episode of Packet Protector. Jennifer Minella and guests discuss “secure by default” efforts by WLAN vendors; the current state of PSK, SAE, and WPA3; NAC and zero trust; more WLAN vendors adding AI to their products (or at least their messaging); and more. Jennifer is joined by Jonathan... Read more »
May 13, 2025 • 34min
PP062: Hunting for Host Security and Performance Issues with Stratoshark
Stratoshark is a new tool from the Wireshark Foundation that analyzes system calls on a host. Network, security, and application teams can use Stratoshark to diagnose performance issues and investigate behavior that may indicate malware or other compromises of the host. On today’s Packet Protector we talk with Gerald Combs of the Wireshark Foundation about... Read more »
May 6, 2025 • 36min
PP061: Comparing Breach Reports, RSAC 2025 Highlights, and a Security Awareness Soapbox
New breach reports show threat actor dwell times are dropping significantly. It’s a positive development, but there is a caveat. We discuss this caveat and other findings from the 2025 editions of the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report and the Google M-Trends Report. We also get highlights from the 2025 RSA Conference, and JJ gets... Read more »
Apr 29, 2025 • 45min
PP060: Subsea Cables and the Watery Risks to Critical Infrastructure
Submarine cables are a hidden wonder. These fiber optic bundles carry data and voice traffic around the world and serve as critical global links for communication and commerce. Today on Packet Protector, guest Andy Champagne dives into the history of submarine cables, the technological and operational advancements that allow voice and data to travel hundreds... Read more »
