The Weekly Run-Down 2/26–3/1/24
Welcome to the Weekly Run Down, your one-stop shop to catch up on the week’s, “The Other Side of the Firewall” and “Ask A CISSP” podcast episodes. Click the episode links to jump to each episode’s full-length article. Please Like, Share, and Subscribe to the podcast on your platform of choice!
Monday — FBI Strikes Back: Inside the Takedown of Lockbit 3.0
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In episode 541 of the podcast, hosts Ryan Williams Sr., Shannon Tynes, and Chris Abacon discuss a recent cybersecurity event involving the ransomware attack on Fulton County, Georgia, by the notorious group Lockbit 3.0. The FBI, alongside international allies, managed to seize the dark website of the group responsible, highlighting a proactive stance against cybercriminals. The attack’s quick resolution, within two days, left questions about whether the ransom was paid or if the takedown efforts were solely effective.
The episode delves into the geographical operations of ransomware gangs, particularly in Eastern Europe, Russia, and China, and emphasizes the global efforts to combat cyber threats. The discussion also covers the resilience of such groups, the concept of ransomware as a service (RaaS), and the importance of education and safe browsing practices in preventing ransomware incidents. The hosts commend the offensive measures being taken against cybercriminals and speculate on the legal outcomes for those caught.
Tuesday — The Snowden of China: Unveiling Government Surveillance
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In episode 542, hosts Ryan, Shannon, and Chris discuss a significant leak of Chinese surveillance documents, likening the situation to Edward Snowden’s revelations about the U.S. The leaked documents, originating from a private security contractor linked to one of China’s top policing agencies, expose China’s extensive surveillance operations against its citizens, foreigners, and various countries such as Taiwan, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Thailand, Mongolia, and others. The discussion highlights the parallels between this leak and Snowden’s actions, emphasizing the global nature of whistleblowing activities and the implications for state surveillance and cybersecurity.
The hosts delve into the specifics of the leak, including the revelation that the contractor, I-Soon, boasted about its ability to bypass multi-factor authentication, particularly targeting X (formerly known as Twitter). This discussion raises concerns about the efficacy of current multi-factor authentication (MFA) methods and the potential need for stronger security measures like biometrics.
The episode also speculates on the possibility of outside influences contributing to the leak and its implications for global cybersecurity. The hosts predict more such leaks in the future, offering insights into China’s surveillance tactics and methodologies. They stress the significance of these leaks in understanding and combating state-sponsored cyber activities, underscoring the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and the continuous need for vigilance and improvement in defense mechanisms.
Wednesday — The Aftermath of the Change Healthcare Cyber Attack
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In episode 543, hosts Ryan, Shannon, and Chris discuss a cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of United Healthcare Group, which caused significant disruptions across US pharmacies. The attack led to prescription delays and service disruptions, with the company quickly isolating impacted systems to prevent further damage. The hosts delve into the attack’s wide-reaching impact, noting that it affected various pharmacies and even Department of Defense (DoD) operations, highlighting the vulnerability of the medical industry to cyber threats.
The discussion explores the importance of cybersecurity in the healthcare sector, emphasizing that medical companies are lucrative targets for hackers due to their for-profit nature in America. The hosts speculate on the potential for regulatory fines or audits for United Healthcare due to the breach and stress the need for robust IT and supply chain risk management within healthcare organizations. The episode touches on the ethical considerations of patient privacy and the critical need for secure data flows to prevent such disruptions.
The episode underscores the interconnectedness of IT systems in healthcare and the urgent need for improved cybersecurity measures to protect patient data and ensure service continuity.
Thursday — Ask A CISSP | Meet Matthew Hale — Author and CEO of We Gonna Learn Today
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In this week’s episode of “Ask A CISSP,” host Ryan Williams Sr. interviews Matthew Hale, CEO of WE GONNA LEARN TODAY, the largest digital/interactive platform for Black History. Matthew shares his extensive background as a retired Marine veteran, a computer science and engineering expert, and an entrepreneur deeply invested in educating on Black history. His journey from the military to creating a significant educational resource stems from a desire to provide comprehensive, engaging black history content for all ages, using interactive activities to ensure retention and engagement.
Matthew’s work includes developing a series of activity workbooks available on major platforms, emphasizing black historical figures, inventors, and more. His website aims to consolidate scattered historical information into a single, accessible platform, categorized by subjects ranging from inventors to black superheroes. The initiative is driven by a desire to highlight stories and figures often omitted from mainstream American history, making it a comprehensive resource for learning and teaching Black history.
The discussion also touches on Matthew’s transition from military to civilian life, leveraging his IT skills to build and scale his educational platform. His future goals include integrating this resource into school curriculums and providing a more diverse historical perspective. Matthew’s engagement with the project and his broader aspirations reflect a deep commitment to education and representation, aiming to inspire and inform future generations about the rich history and contributions of Black individuals.
Friday — The Weekly Run Down 2/26–3/4/24
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In episode 544, hosts Ryan, Shannon, and Chris discuss their recent activities, with Chris discussing his MCU marathon and interests in British detective shows, while Shannon re-watches “The Flash” movie, praising Michael Keaton’s performance as Batman, and starts the live-action “Avatar: The Last Airbender” on Netflix. The conversation shifts to the potential and impact of AI in creative industries, with Ryan sharing how AI has transformed his content creation process, making tasks like generating show notes and adapting content for different platforms much more manageable.
As the episode progresses, the hosts touch on various topics, including the anticipation for the “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth” game, the adaptation and reception of the “Halo” TV series, and broader discussions about the entertainment industry’s evolution with AI and digital technologies.
Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more episodes of The Other Side of the Firewall podcast on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Fridays, as well as, the Ask A CISSP podcast every Thursday.
Stay safe, stay secure!
