The BlueHat Podcast

The BlueHat Podcast

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The BlueHat Podcast episodes

  • Behind the Scenes and Best Practices for Submitting to MSRC with Jim Hull

    Jim Hull, Program Manager at MSRC joins Nic Fillingham and Wendy Zenone on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast to share insights into his role in reviewing vulnerability reports and managing cases. They dive into the submission process, detailing the types of reports accepted by MSRC and what happens after a researcher submits a potential vulnerability. The conversation also highlights the accessibility of the portal for anyone interested in identifying security issues, whether they are professionals or hobbyists. Jim explains the importance of providing clear proof of concept when submitting a vulnerability and walks through the steps MSRC takes to triage, reproduce, and resolve reports. 

     

    In This Episode You Will Learn:    

     

    • Why a detailed proof of concept is essential when submitting a vulnerability 
    • How the MSRC collaborates with engineers at Microsoft to resolve vulnerabilities 
    • The importance of including video or image documentation to support reports 
    •  

      Some Questions We Ask:     

       

      • What is the vulnerability triage process at MSRC? 
      • How long does it take to fix a vulnerability after it’s been reported? 
      • Why is it important to use the researcher portal instead of email or social media? 
      •   

        Resources:  

        Microsoft Security Response Center  

         

        View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn  

        View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn 

         

        Related Microsoft Podcasts:  

         

        • Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  
        • Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson  
        • Uncovering Hidden Risks  

           

           

          Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

           

          The BlueHat Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network. 

          39 min
        • Guy Arazi on the Art and Science of Variant Hunting

          Guy Arazi, a UK-based security expert at Microsoft, joins Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Guy discusses his journey in security, which began in 2018 when he joined Microsoft, and his current role focusing on online services vulnerabilities within the MSRC (Microsoft Security Response Center). They delve into the concept of variant hunting, a critical process in identifying and mitigating repeated patterns of security vulnerabilities across multiple products and services. Guy explains that while static analysis tools are useful, they often require more complex, tailored approaches to detect these recurring issues. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the root cause of vulnerabilities and using both human insight and automated tools to address them across the vast codebase of Microsoft's offerings. 

           

          In This Episode You Will Learn:     
          • The challenges of variant hunting and its significant impact on improving overall security 
          • Growing complexity of variant hunting and the necessity of thorough documentation 
          • What is important to consider when approaching a security vulnerability 
          •  

            Some Questions We Ask:      
            • Are there industry tools or publicly available resources you recommend for variant hunting? 
            • How can you identify the security boundary a vulnerability affects? 
            • Is variant hunting something only humans can do, or can tools and automation help? 
            •  

              Resources:  

              View Guy Arazi on LinkedIn     

              View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn  

              View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn 

               

              Related Microsoft Podcasts:   
              • Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  
              • Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson  
              • Uncovering Hidden Risks  

                 

                 

                Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

                 

                The BlueHat Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network. 

                45 min
              • Ryen Macababbad on How Security Can Empower Productivity

                Ryen Macababbad, Principal Security Program Manager at Microsoft joins Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Ryen discusses their career journey, including the return to Microsoft after working in security architecture and customer trust engineering. Ryen shares insights from their time at Hacker Summer Camp 2024 in Las Vegas, emphasizing the importance of creating frictionless security measures that don't hinder productivity. They explain that when security becomes a barrier, users will find workarounds, potentially compromising security. The conversation touches on the evolving relationship between security and productivity teams, highlighting the need for security to be an enabler rather than an obstacle. 

                 

                 

                In This Episode You Will Learn:    

                 

                • How investing in security helps maintain customer trust and protects revenue 
                • Why security should be built-in by default so users don't need to be security experts 
                • The importance of incorporating feedback and diverse viewpoints to enhance security 
                •  

                   

                  Some Questions We Ask:     

                   

                  • How is a seamless security and productivity experience provided for end users? 
                  • Can security researchers contribute to identifying gaps and improving product security? 
                  • What motivated the shift from a focus on identity and program management to defensive security? 
                  •  

                    Resources:  

                    View Ryen Macababbad on LinkedIn     

                    View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn  

                    View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn 

                     

                    Related Microsoft Podcasts:  

                     

                    • Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  
                    • Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson  
                    • Uncovering Hidden Risks  

                       

                       

                      Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

                      41 min
                    • Michael Howard on Secure by Design vs Secure by Default

                      Michael Howard, Senior Director at Microsoft joins Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Michael shares his journey at Microsoft, starting from his early days in New Zealand as part of a small team of ten. He discusses his extensive career, his contributions to cybersecurity, and his role in the development of essential security books like "Writing Secure Code" and "The Security Development Lifecycle." Michael reflects on the importance of fundamental security principles and how they remain relevant today. He also touches on his recent move within Microsoft to John Lambert's team, where he continues to focus on security culture and education. The conversation delves into the origins of the Blue Hat conference, Michael's experiences at the first event, and the ongoing significance of secure coding practices and mitigations. 

                       

                       

                      In This Episode You Will Learn:    
                      • Critical aspects of secure software development and pivotal moments in Microsoft's security 
                      • The importance of using specific coding constructs and libraries to improve security 
                      • Findings on vulnerabilities that spurred significant security improvements in SQL Server 
                      •  

                        Some Questions We Ask:      
                        • How do you deploy security patches effectively while minimizing disruptions? 
                        • What coding constructs and compiler flags did you recommend for better security? 
                        • How did external researchers at Blue Hat conferences impact Microsoft's culture? 
                        •  

                          Resources:  

                          View Michael Howard on LinkedIn    

                          View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn  

                          View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn 

                           

                          The Microsoft Azure Security Podcast  

                          Michael Howard (@michael_howard) on X (twitter.com) 

                          Latest book: Designing and Developing Secure Azure Solutions (Developer Best Practices): Howard, Michael, Simone, Curzi, Heinrich, Gantenbein: 9780137908752: Amazon.com: Books 

                           

                          Related Microsoft Podcasts:   
                          • Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  
                          • Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson  
                          • Uncovering Hidden Risks  

                             

                            Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  


                            The BlueHat Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

                            49 min
                          • Navigating AI Safety and Security Challenges with Yonatan Zunger

                            Yonatan Zunger, CVP of AI Safety & Security at Microsoft joins Nic Fillingham and Wendy Zenone on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Yonatan explains the distinction between generative and predictive AI, noting that while predictive AI excels in classification and recommendation, generative AI focuses on summarizing and role-playing. He highlights how generative AI's ability to process natural language and role-play has vast potential, though its applications are still emerging. He contrasts this with predictive AI's strength in handling large datasets for specific tasks. Yonatan emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in AI development, stressing the need for continuous safety engineering and diverse perspectives to anticipate and mitigate potential failures. He provides examples of AI's positive and negative uses, illustrating the importance of designing systems that account for various scenarios and potential misuses. 

                             

                             

                            In This Episode You Will Learn:    

                             

                            • How predictive AI anticipates outcomes based on historical data 
                            • The difficulties and strategies involved in making AI systems safe and secure from misuse 
                            • How role-playing exercises help developers understand the behavior of AI systems 
                            •  

                              Some Questions We Ask:     

                               

                              • What distinguishes predictive AI from generative AI? 
                              • Can generative AI be used to improve decision-making processes? 
                              • What is the role of unit testing and test cases in policy and AI system development? 

                              •  

                                Resources:  

                                View Yonatan Zunger on LinkedIn     

                                View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn  

                                View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn 


                                 

                                Related Microsoft Podcasts:  

                                 

                                • Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  
                                • Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson  
                                • Uncovering Hidden Risks  

                                   

                                   

                                  Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

                                  54 min
                                • Craig Nelson on Simulating Attacks with Microsoft’s Red Team

                                  Craig Nelson, leader of Microsoft's Red Team joins Nic Fillingham and Wendy Zenone on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Craig explains how the Red Team simulates attacks on Microsoft's infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities and protect customer data stored in the cloud. He emphasizes the importance of these simulated attacks in preparing for real threats and describes the collaborative efforts with other security teams at Microsoft, such as the Azure penetration testing team and the Microsoft Security Response Center. Craig shares his personal journey into cybersecurity, highlighting his early fascination with cryptography and computer security. He also discusses the unique challenges and strategies of Red Teaming at Microsoft, including the need to influence engineering teams and the importance of systemic thinking to create durable security solutions. 

                                   

                                  In This Episode You Will Learn:    
                                  • The need for early detection of vulnerabilities during the development lifecycle 
                                  • Why a mix of technical and persuasive skill build successful red teams 
                                  • Significance of internal security education and training initiatives 
                                  •  

                                    Some Questions We Ask:     
                                    • What projects are you pursuing in AI and security? 
                                    • How do you have conversations with engineers to influence their security decisions? 
                                    • What skills are important for someone aspiring to join the Red Team? 
                                    •   

                                      Resources:  

                                      View Craig Nelson on LinkedIn   

                                      View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn  

                                      View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn 



                                      Related Microsoft Podcasts:   
                                      • Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  
                                      • Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson  
                                      • Uncovering Hidden Risks  

                                         

                                         

                                        Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

                                        38 min
                                      • Unlocking Backdoor AI Poisoning with Dmitrijs Trizna

                                        Dmitrijs Trizna, Security Researcher at Microsoft joins Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Dmitrijs explains his role at Microsoft, focusing on AI-based cyber threat detection for Kubernetes and Linux platforms. Dmitrijs explores the complex landscape of securing AI systems, focusing on the emerging challenges of Trustworthy AI. He delves into how threat actors exploit vulnerabilities through techniques like backdoor poisoning, using gradual benign inputs to deceive AI models. Dmitrijs highlights the multidisciplinary approach required for effective AI security, combining AI expertise with rigorous security practices. He also discusses the resilience of gradient-boosted decision trees against such attacks and shares insights from his recent presentation at Blue Hat India, where he noted a strong interest in AI security.  

                                         

                                         

                                        In This Episode You Will Learn:    

                                         

                                        • The concept of Trustworthy AI and its importance in today's technology landscape 
                                        • How threat actors exploit AI vulnerabilities using backdoor poisoning techniques 
                                        • The role of frequency and unusual inputs in compromising AI model integrity 
                                        •  

                                           

                                          Some Questions We Ask:     

                                           

                                          • Could you elaborate on the resilience of gradient-boosted decision trees in AI security? 
                                          • What interdisciplinary approaches are necessary for effective AI security? 
                                          • How do we determine acceptable thresholds for AI model degradation in security contexts? 
                                          •   

                                             

                                            Resources:  

                                            View Dmitrijs Trizna on LinkedIn  

                                            View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn  

                                            View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn 

                                             

                                            Related Microsoft Podcasts:  

                                             

                                            • Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  
                                            • Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson  
                                            • Uncovering Hidden Risks  

                                               

                                               

                                              Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  


                                              The BlueHat Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.  

                                              47 min
                                            • From Morris to Azure: Shawn Hernan’s Three Decades in Security

                                              Shawn Hernan, Partner Security Engineering Group Manager at Microsoft joins Wendy Zenone and Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Shawn leads Microsoft Cloud & AI Security Assurance, overseeing an international team of security professionals dedicated to proactively addressing security challenges through vulnerability research, penetration testing, and threat modeling. Drawing from his extensive experience in early cybersecurity, Shawn shares valuable insights into the evolving landscape, stressing the significance of academic knowledge and practical experience. From navigating intricate technical terrains to fostering a growth mindset, this episode provides a compelling glimpse into the ongoing pursuit of security excellence in today's digital era. 

                                               

                                               

                                              In This Episode You Will Learn:    

                                               

                                              • Addressing root causes of vulnerabilities reported by third parties or found internally 
                                              • Developing tools and a deep understanding of specific classes of vulnerabilities 
                                              • Research on areas like crypto hygiene and missing integrity vulnerabilities 
                                              •  

                                                Some Questions We Ask:     

                                                 

                                                • How does your team handle variant hunting for critical cases? 
                                                • When researchers find issues in Azure, how does your team get involved? 
                                                • How do you foster a security culture within Microsoft and your team? 
                                                •  


                                                  Resources:  

                                                  View Shawn Hernan on LinkedIn     

                                                  View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn 

                                                  View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn 


                                                  Related Microsoft Podcasts:  

                                                   

                                                  • Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  
                                                  • Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson  
                                                  • Uncovering Hidden Risks  

                                                     


                                                    Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  


                                                    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

                                                    44 min
                                                  • MSRC VP Tom Gallagher on 25 Years of Security at Microsoft

                                                    Tom Gallagher, VP of Engineering and head of MSRC, joins Wendy Zenone and Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. After nearly 25 years at Microsoft, Tom reflects on his early days at the company, where he started as a penetration tester on SharePoint, offering insights into the evolving landscape of cybersecurity since 1999. Tom shares a few different experiences from his journey, including auditing a local ISP's security in exchange for a job, and his transition from an intern working on Internet Explorer's rendering engine to key roles in Office and eventually MSRC. Through Tom's experiences, you’ll gain a unique perspective on Microsoft's cybersecurity evolution and the broader industry landscape.  

                                                     

                                                     

                                                    In This Episode You Will Learn:    

                                                     

                                                    • A Clippy vulnerability that exemplifies the importance of external insights 
                                                    • How you can support teams when they find vulnerabilities in their code 
                                                    • Tom's experiences attending early Black Hat and DEFCON conferences 
                                                    •  

                                                       

                                                      Some Questions We Ask:     

                                                       

                                                      • How does your experience as a bug hunter influence your role at MSRC? 
                                                      • Can you elaborate on the process of mitigating vulnerabilities quickly within SFI? 
                                                      • Will you explain Trustworthy Computing and its significance in Microsoft's history? 
                                                      •   


                                                        Resources:  

                                                        View Tom Gallagher on LinkedIn      

                                                        View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn 

                                                        View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn 

                                                         

                                                        Related Microsoft Podcasts:  

                                                         

                                                        • Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  
                                                        • Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson  
                                                        • Uncovering Hidden Risks  

                                                           

                                                           

                                                          Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  


                                                          Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

                                                          32 min
                                                        • Educating the Future: Aaron Tng's Cybersecurity Blueprint

                                                          Aaron Tng, a Microsoft Student Ambassador and BlueHat Conference Speaker, joins Nic Fillingham on this week's episode of The BlueHat Podcast. Aaron shares how his curiosity during the pandemic in 2020, sparked by the surge in cyber-attacks, propelled him into the world of cybersecurity. Through dedicated self-learning and leveraging resources like the Microsoft Learn website, Aaron achieved multiple certifications, laying the foundation for his expertise in cybersecurity.  Aaron is also passionate about the impact of Cybersecurity on society and actively promoting K-12 Cybersecurity Awareness and Education. He unveils his comprehensive four-point plan, which encompasses fundamental courses, advanced studies, educator training, and real-life internship opportunities. Aaron emphasizes the importance of moving beyond surface-level internet safety education, advocating for a deeper understanding of secure coding and threat modeling.  

                                                           

                                                           

                                                          In This Episode You Will Learn:    

                                                           

                                                          • The different resources utilized for Aaron’s cybersecurity education 
                                                          • Aspirations for the future of cybersecurity education 
                                                          • How Aaron founded a student-led nonprofit called Cyber Secure it 
                                                          •  

                                                             

                                                            Some Questions We Ask:     

                                                             

                                                            • What challenges did you face presenting to the Washington State Board of Education? 
                                                            • How did you earn multiple cybersecurity certifications while still in high school? 
                                                            • Why do you believe it's crucial to move beyond surface-level internet safety? 
                                                            •  

                                                               

                                                              Resources:  

                                                              View Aaron Tng on LinkedIn    

                                                              View Wendy Zenone on LinkedIn 

                                                              View Nic Fillingham on LinkedIn 

                                                               

                                                              Related Microsoft Podcasts:  

                                                               

                                                              • Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  
                                                              • Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson  
                                                              • Uncovering Hidden Risks  

                                                                 

                                                                 

                                                                Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  


                                                                Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

                                                                33 min

                                                              About The BlueHat Podcast

                                                              From the publisher's feed

                                                              Since 2005, BlueHat has been where the security research community, and Microsoft, come together as peers; to debate, discuss, share, challenge, celebrate and learn. On The BlueHat Podcast,…