What Should Network Engineers Know About Offensive Security?

Send us Fan Mail Get ready to be inspired by Serena, also known as SheNetworks, as she shares her exciting transformation from a Best Buy employee to a leading voice in cybersecurity. Celebrating Tim's birthday and Election Day, this episode is packed with fascinating insights into Serena's career journey and the unexpected twists that led her from the world of network engineering to the challenging field of penetration testing. You'll hear firsthand how the monotony of network engineering sparked her interest in the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of offensive security. Join us as we uncover the intriguing world of penetration testing, where Serena reveals the techniques and tools employed by professionals to mimic real-world cyber threats. You'll learn about the concept of "assumed compromise," the thrill of privilege escalation, and the critical importance of thorough reporting and documentation. Discover how open-source tools like Mimikatz play a significant role in both protecting and threatening systems and why early detection and a robust incident response strategy are vital to cybersecurity. The ethical challenges faced by cybersecurity experts are also on the table, as Serena shares her experiences in educating clients while maintaining trust and avoiding blame. From the technical details of exploiting network protocols to the complexities of cloud penetration testing, this episode offers a deep dive into the human elements of the industry. Explore the necessity of understanding networking fundamentals, the nuances of zero trust security principles, and the dynamic interplay between pen testing and red teaming. Whether you're a cybersecurity enthusiast or simply curious about the field, this episode promises a wealth of knowledge and engaging anecdotes. How to connect with our guest: @shenetworks on Twitter/X Check out the Monthly Cables2Clouds News Feed: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fkBWCGwXDUX9OfZ9_MvSVup8tJJzJeqrauaE6VPT2b0/ Visit our website and subscribe: https://www.cables2clouds.com/ Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/cables2clouds.com Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cables2clouds/ Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cables2clouds Merch Store: https://store.cables2clouds.com/ Join the Discord Study group: https://artofneteng.com/iaatj