"Am I going to spend my life trying to get the thing that I need, or am I going to spend my life

doing the thing that I want?"

In this deeply insightful episode of The Defender's Log, host David Redekop sits down with Will

Earp, a veteran developer whose career journey began with an Amiga 600 in 1998. They

explore the profound philosophy that has guided Will's path from a freelance web developer to a

lead engineer at a charity dedicated to online child safety.

Will shares his belief that a career isn't a clear path but a "foggy staircase," where you can only

see one or two steps ahead. He explains how choosing to follow passion over a

paycheck—whether running his own business for a decade or contributing to open-source

projects—led to unexpected doors opening, including his involvement with the prestigious

Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

This conversation goes beyond code and cyber defense, touching on the importance of legacy,

the unique challenges of protecting children in the digital age, and the simple but powerful

advice to find what you love and go do it.

In this discussion, you will learn about:

● The "Foggy Staircase" approach to navigating your career path.

● Pivoting from general web development to a mission-driven role in cybersecurity.

● The profound choice between pursuing passion versus financial security.

● How open-source work and personal projects can become your greatest career assets.

● The unique challenges and responsibilities of protecting children vs. adults online.

● Key insights on modern defense, including Zero Trust in DNS.

● Invaluable advice for the next generation of cybersecurity defenders.

● Why the ultimate goal is building a life and a legacy you can be proud of.

Join us for a conversation that will inspire you to think differently about your own career, the

choices you make, and the impact you want to have on the world.

Chapters

00:00 - Intro

01:18 - Welcome & How Will Herp Got Started in Tech

05:09 - The "Foggy Staircase" of a Tech Career

07:25 - Finding a Mission-Driven Career in Child Safety

09:28 - The Difference Between Protecting Kids vs. Adults Online

13:27 - Philosophy, Human Nature, and Long-Term Thinking

18:44 - Choosing Passion Over Money: The Journey to Open Source

21:20 - The British Perspective on Policy and Culture

28:18 - Innovations in Cyber Defense: Zero Trust in DNS

31:48 - Advice for the Next Generation of Defenders

36:07 - Finding Balance in Markets, Technology, and Bitcoin

41:34 - Final Message: Find What You Love and Go Do It

44:20 - Outro

#CareerAdvice #Cybersecurity #SoftwareDevelopment #OpenSource #TechPhilosophy

#PassionVsMoney #DeveloperLife #TechCareer #IETF #ZeroTrust #WillEarp #DavidRedekop

In this episode of the Defenders Log, we have Aditi Patange from Microsoft alongside our hosts, David Redekop and Francois from Adam Networks, for an in-depth discussion on Zero Trust DNS, a new enterprise security feature within Windows 11. Aditi shares her background in computer engineering and product management and how his work contributes to cybersecurity. The conversation delves into the origins and motivations behind Zero Trust DNS, its implementation challenges, and its impact on network security. 

Aditi also emphasizes the importance of infrastructure in modern cybersecurity and the need for organizations to move towards encrypted DNS. The episode concludes with a discussion on the collaboration between Microsoft and Adam Networks to enhance security solutions.

Timestamps - 

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:47 Aditi's Background and Journey into Cybersecurity

01:58 The Importance of Network Security

03:13 Challenges and Benefits of Zero Trust DNS

07:33 Real-World Applications and Feedback

13:50 Government and Enterprise Adoption

19:43 Unexpected Benefits of Zero Trust DNS

21:59 First Principles Approach to Problem Solving

23:22 The Evolution of Technology and Security

24:37 Challenges and Integration with Endpoint Protection

27:02 Kernel Mode Drivers and Security

35:23 The Importance of Infrastructure in Modern Technology

36:50 Personal Journey into Technology

40:12 The Mission of Zero Trust DNS

43:27 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

In today's episode of the Defender's Log, we welcome special guest Tommy Jensen, an internet technologist with expertise in IPv6, Zero Trust, and standards. The episode covers Jensen's career journey from an AppleCare contractor to a pivotal role in advancing internet technologies. The discussion delves into the importance and challenges of migrating to IPv6, and the need to overcome legacy systems in enterprise networks. Jensen shares insights into his focus on DNS and Zero Trust, stressing the balance between privacy and security.

The episode also explores the benefits of encrypted DNS, the drawbacks of TLS termination, and the broader implications for the future of the internet. Finally, Jensen emphasizes the significance of using the internet to connect and understand diverse cultures and circumstances.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

02:18 Tommy Jensen's Background and Career Path

07:09 The Importance of IPv6

08:00 Challenges and Benefits of IPv6 Adoption

18:08 DNS and Zero Trust

39:21 The Future of the Internet and Final Thoughts

In this episode of 'The Defender's Log,' host David engages in a comprehensive discussion with John Todd, an influential figure in the defense technology space and a key player at Quad9. The conversation covers John's career journey, starting from the early days of commercial internet services to his current role at Quad9.

They delve into the importance of DNS in cybersecurity, Quad9's unique approach to protecting users, and the challenges and strategies involved in maintaining a global DNS infrastructure. Key topics include the implementation of zero-trust DNS, the legal hurdles faced by DNS providers, and the innovative protocols aimed at enhancing internet security and privacy.

The episode also highlights the vital role of partnerships and the challenges of operating in regions with restrictive import tariffs. Todd emphasizes the importance of privacy and the legal measures in place to protect user data, concluding with a call to potential sponsors to support Quad9's ongoing mission to secure the internet.

Timestamps -

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:14 John Todd's Journey in Technology

03:14 The Birth of Quad9

05:08 IBM's Role and Quad9's Growth

06:40 Threat Intelligence and Data Sharing

11:11 Challenges with False Positives

18:46 Global Network Expansion

21:46 Difficulties in Equipment Importation

26:14 Exploring Early Motivations and Interests

27:42 The Evolution of Communication Technologies

29:01 Defensive Posture in Communication

30:56 Balancing Privacy and Security

35:18 Challenges in Network Security

40:09 Innovations in DNS and Network Management

48:17 Legal and Privacy Considerations

51:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In the inaugural episode of 'The Defender’s Log,' host David Redekop converses with cybersecurity veteran Chester Wisniewski to explore the dynamic field of cybersecurity. They discuss the differentiation between privacy and security, the evolution of hacking from the 1980s to the present, and pivotal moments that reshaped information security. 

Chet shares anecdotes from his extensive career, offering a deep dive into the challenges and successes of defending against cyber threats. Listeners will learn about the importance of defense-in-depth, the impact of pivotal virus outbreaks, and the emergence of profitable cybercrime. 

Chet also provides valuable advice on navigating a career in cybersecurity, emphasizing the significance of practical problem-solving and mentorship. Tune in to gain actionable insights and a positive perspective on securing the digital world.

Timestamps - 

00:00 Introduction

01:08 Welcome to the Defender's Log

01:47 Guest Introduction: Chet Wisniewski

05:21 Early Days of Cybersecurity

09:05 Evolution of Cyber Threats

15:10 Challenges in Cybersecurity

21:08 Personal Stories and Sacrifices

25:33 Advice for Aspiring Cyber Defenders

33:08 Closing Thoughts and Future Events