I have to vent about something. I work for a cybersecurity company. I listen to lots and lots of cybersecurity stuff all day every day. Now I have no background in it, so I'm not saying I'm an expert. But I do work with a lot of experts that have gone to many years of school and gained many certifications that make them very, very smart in the field of Cyber. And I'm learning so I at least have a base of knowledge in the topic.
So when Donald Trump attacks the CIA/FBI on Twitter (which is an entirely other can of worms!) by saying that it's "almost impossible to track a hack after the fact" I'm pretty offended. Being offended by this man is par for the course these days, but let's just say I'm even more disgusted than usual. Every single cyber security expert would disagree with this ludicrous statement. The entire field of cybersecurity exists because this is patently false.
Forensic investigators have all sorts of tools and processes for tracking a system infiltration. In fact, there's an entire Framework built around these processes. Investigators can not only track how an attack has happened, but where it came from and who did the attacking. It is 100% possible and it's a point that's inarguable.
So why exactly does Donald Trump think the American people are stupid enough to not realize this? There are a lot of tech-savvy people out there. But, I suppose we can just add it to the list of things Donald Trump thinks we might overlook. What's even worse is that these tactics of diversion seem to be working for him. Hasn't anyone in power realized this isn't normal?
Showing posts with label Cyber. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cyber. Show all posts
Monday, December 12, 2016
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Cyber-y
So after spending the entire day at a cyber conference, I've mad a few observations. First being, that even though I attended last year and "manned the booth" I some how got
worse at it this year. I'm not sure how this happened. Last year I had a whole shpeel about what we did and how good at it we are. Today more than once, I had to stop from talking because I was tripping up over all the cyber-y words.
Then there's the whole subject of social awkwardness. Honestly, I would say I'm pretty awkward around people. I'm shy and not a big fan of engaging people I don't know if they haven't spoken to me first. However, I ain't got nothing on some serious cyber heads I met today. I'm not sure they're used to talking to people that aren't inside a computer. So striking up a conversation when neither party knows exactly what to say makes things just a bit difficult.
My last observation is that sales people - not all of them mind you, and most definitely not the really good ones - are often quite, how should I put this as nicely as I can, jerk-y. They sort of run right over you with how important they are and how you'd be stupid not to partner with them/buy their product/sell them your first born. I understand you have to be confident to get the sale, but does that also mean you have to be a butt head while doing so?
Overall, there were some absolutely lovely people there - People I'd love to get hired at our company or to work with. And there were definitely some not so lovely people that I'm so happy I only have to see once a year. But overall, cyber conferences are just about as exciting as they sound - in other words, not much.
Oh and also, paying $30 for parking and $15 for a crappy grilled cheese, is really not my idea of a fun day.
Rant officially over : )
worse at it this year. I'm not sure how this happened. Last year I had a whole shpeel about what we did and how good at it we are. Today more than once, I had to stop from talking because I was tripping up over all the cyber-y words.
Then there's the whole subject of social awkwardness. Honestly, I would say I'm pretty awkward around people. I'm shy and not a big fan of engaging people I don't know if they haven't spoken to me first. However, I ain't got nothing on some serious cyber heads I met today. I'm not sure they're used to talking to people that aren't inside a computer. So striking up a conversation when neither party knows exactly what to say makes things just a bit difficult.
My last observation is that sales people - not all of them mind you, and most definitely not the really good ones - are often quite, how should I put this as nicely as I can, jerk-y. They sort of run right over you with how important they are and how you'd be stupid not to partner with them/buy their product/sell them your first born. I understand you have to be confident to get the sale, but does that also mean you have to be a butt head while doing so?
Overall, there were some absolutely lovely people there - People I'd love to get hired at our company or to work with. And there were definitely some not so lovely people that I'm so happy I only have to see once a year. But overall, cyber conferences are just about as exciting as they sound - in other words, not much.
Oh and also, paying $30 for parking and $15 for a crappy grilled cheese, is really not my idea of a fun day.
Rant officially over : )
Monday, May 18, 2015
The Awesomeness of Strangers
I went on and on about my love for Twitter last week and to be honest, the reasoning was pretty simplistic. Basically I love reading funny things, is what it boils down to. However, this weekend, I got to see the real power behind it. And honestly? It's awesome! Sometimes, complete strangers can be even more amazing than you give them credit for.
So, what happened you might be asking? Somewhere around Friday evening, this was posted:
Jared Padalecki is one of the stars of Supernatural and he was supposed to be attending a convention in Rome all weekend, after attending one in England the previous weekend. As fans who had spent a great deal of money to see him at that particular convention, you may expect a bit of annoyance or outrage. You'd expect those fans to be angry and demand their money back.
And since you're not heartless, you may be a bit worried about what was going on in his life. You wouldn't actually expect what did happen. And that's the remarkable part.
To understand why his update was so disconcerting, you'd have to know a bit about him. He recently shared with the press and fans, his own struggle with depression. He wasn't asking for pity, he was using that as a stepping stone to start a huge movement "#AlwaysKeepFighting." Using that slogan and his (and Jensen Ackles') notoriety, they were able to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for depression and suicide prevention charities. He's used it has his personal motto and has been collecting stories from fans about how they've always kept fighting and how the show and the cast have helped them in times of need (which is in it of itself, pretty amazing). He's also one of the kindest human beings on the planet (based on accounts from pretty much everyone he's ever met.)
That brings us to Saturday. By Saturday afternoon, the entire cast of Supernatural (pretty much anyone who has ever been or who is currently on the show) had sent messages of care and concern via Twitter (even other actors from other shows that had heard about him being down). They sent their love, and understanding in the most heartfelt ways. They were even sure to address it at the convention and share how much he meant to them and how much the fan's caring about him meant to them.
But then, so did, basically the entire fandom.
Pretty much, every one of his fans shared messages of care and concern. They sent photos to him to cheer him up. They sent notes saying how much he had helped them. They sent stress relievers that have helped them in the past. They sent videos of love and understanding. They created projects on line to send him care packages and cards. And most amazing of all, not one message I saw was scolding him for leaving the convention goers high and dry. Not one person complained that "exhaustion" wasn't a good excuse. Everything I read was all love and all amazing! And everything was tagged with his personal mantra - #AlwaysKeepFighting.
If you don't believe me, check out the #AlwaysKeepFighting hashtag on Twitter. There are updates being added by the second.
I'm not sure if he's seen it all yet, but I'd like to think he has and these messages of hope and care, from complete strangers will help him deal with whatever it is he's dealing with. Because he deserves all the love he's receiving and I think he'll be ok. He's got a heck of a support system behind him.
In a world, where you hear an awful lot about cyber bullying attacks, how can you not resist a story on a cyber love attack? : )
So, what happened you might be asking? Somewhere around Friday evening, this was posted:
And since you're not heartless, you may be a bit worried about what was going on in his life. You wouldn't actually expect what did happen. And that's the remarkable part.
To understand why his update was so disconcerting, you'd have to know a bit about him. He recently shared with the press and fans, his own struggle with depression. He wasn't asking for pity, he was using that as a stepping stone to start a huge movement "#AlwaysKeepFighting." Using that slogan and his (and Jensen Ackles') notoriety, they were able to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for depression and suicide prevention charities. He's used it has his personal motto and has been collecting stories from fans about how they've always kept fighting and how the show and the cast have helped them in times of need (which is in it of itself, pretty amazing). He's also one of the kindest human beings on the planet (based on accounts from pretty much everyone he's ever met.)
That brings us to Saturday. By Saturday afternoon, the entire cast of Supernatural (pretty much anyone who has ever been or who is currently on the show) had sent messages of care and concern via Twitter (even other actors from other shows that had heard about him being down). They sent their love, and understanding in the most heartfelt ways. They were even sure to address it at the convention and share how much he meant to them and how much the fan's caring about him meant to them.
But then, so did, basically the entire fandom.
Pretty much, every one of his fans shared messages of care and concern. They sent photos to him to cheer him up. They sent notes saying how much he had helped them. They sent stress relievers that have helped them in the past. They sent videos of love and understanding. They created projects on line to send him care packages and cards. And most amazing of all, not one message I saw was scolding him for leaving the convention goers high and dry. Not one person complained that "exhaustion" wasn't a good excuse. Everything I read was all love and all amazing! And everything was tagged with his personal mantra - #AlwaysKeepFighting.
If you don't believe me, check out the #AlwaysKeepFighting hashtag on Twitter. There are updates being added by the second.
I'm not sure if he's seen it all yet, but I'd like to think he has and these messages of hope and care, from complete strangers will help him deal with whatever it is he's dealing with. Because he deserves all the love he's receiving and I think he'll be ok. He's got a heck of a support system behind him.
In a world, where you hear an awful lot about cyber bullying attacks, how can you not resist a story on a cyber love attack? : )
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Cyber Security
It may be because I work for a cyber company. Or it may be that I'm naive. But when all of these people start complaining that the government is listening to their calls or scanning their emails - the only thing I can think of is, thank goodness. Thank goodness because by doing so, they may catch a bad guy doing bad things. And also, I'm not doing bad things so what the heck do I care?
I know that net security is a big topic, and I also understand why people have a problem with big brother watching 24/7. And I sort of get it. But by my matter of thinking, we'd all have a much bigger problem if those terrorists that the FBI and DHS were watching on the internet were free to complete whatever nefarious plans they had in the works. Law Enforcement's job is hard enough already. Why should we make their jobs any harder by questioning every single move they make to keep us safe on the internet?
This topic sort of came up today at lunch (like I said, cyber company therefore computer nerds). We were talking about whether or not to have social media accounts. We all thought you should definitely have them - but don't be stupid. Understand what you should and shouldn't reveal on a public forum. Duh! If everyone would just abide by the the Don't be a dummy rule, maybe they wouldn't be so up in arms that big brother was looking at their data.
PS: And as a simple point of contention - why do you think you're special enough that you think the entire Department of Defense wants to scan your vacation photos or your travel spreadsheets? They're just looking at ones and zeros people!
I know that net security is a big topic, and I also understand why people have a problem with big brother watching 24/7. And I sort of get it. But by my matter of thinking, we'd all have a much bigger problem if those terrorists that the FBI and DHS were watching on the internet were free to complete whatever nefarious plans they had in the works. Law Enforcement's job is hard enough already. Why should we make their jobs any harder by questioning every single move they make to keep us safe on the internet?
This topic sort of came up today at lunch (like I said, cyber company therefore computer nerds). We were talking about whether or not to have social media accounts. We all thought you should definitely have them - but don't be stupid. Understand what you should and shouldn't reveal on a public forum. Duh! If everyone would just abide by the the Don't be a dummy rule, maybe they wouldn't be so up in arms that big brother was looking at their data.
PS: And as a simple point of contention - why do you think you're special enough that you think the entire Department of Defense wants to scan your vacation photos or your travel spreadsheets? They're just looking at ones and zeros people!
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Lost & Found
Ok. I will admit to having a bit of a weird crafter's breakdown yesterday. It was a long boring day and I think my little neurons were a bit frazzled. Boredom will do that to you. But today, that little breakdown may have been for naught. I just may have gotten all those crafty neurons back - just in another format.
And it's all because some people suck at Powerpoint...
First let me say that I'm in awe of graphic designers. I think what they do is awesome, and I wish I could work InDesign or PhotoShop like they do. However, sometimes, they go a bit overboard. (Mostly because the people giving them the information think they know best) I usually like to abide by the less is more rule. Maybe others don't really abide by that. Maybe that's just my style - good to know I have a style though. Anyway, thanks to some More is More design, I'm forced to work on a GIANT file filled with disjointed madness. But I'm actually happy about this. I get to show my ideas and show what I can do and it's so much more fun than sitting listening to someone blather on about cybersecurity for 4 hours.
And thanks to Pinterest, I'll have lots of those ideas. Here's the thing though. I'm a little worried that they're going to go for the More is More (not that it's better - the parts of the whole are way better than mine, but the whole - not so much), but those graphic designers have just spent a month creating those slides, and I'm assuming they make way more than me...
But at least now it's a challenge : )
And it's all because some people suck at Powerpoint...
First let me say that I'm in awe of graphic designers. I think what they do is awesome, and I wish I could work InDesign or PhotoShop like they do. However, sometimes, they go a bit overboard. (Mostly because the people giving them the information think they know best) I usually like to abide by the less is more rule. Maybe others don't really abide by that. Maybe that's just my style - good to know I have a style though. Anyway, thanks to some More is More design, I'm forced to work on a GIANT file filled with disjointed madness. But I'm actually happy about this. I get to show my ideas and show what I can do and it's so much more fun than sitting listening to someone blather on about cybersecurity for 4 hours.
And thanks to Pinterest, I'll have lots of those ideas. Here's the thing though. I'm a little worried that they're going to go for the More is More (not that it's better - the parts of the whole are way better than mine, but the whole - not so much), but those graphic designers have just spent a month creating those slides, and I'm assuming they make way more than me...
But at least now it's a challenge : )
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