Rod’s Blog

Rod's Blog focuses on Microsoft Security and AI technologies, offering insights into cybersecurity best practices, the ethical use of AI, career advice in tech, and the integration of AI with security. It emphasizes the importance of certifications, mental resilience for professionals, and the evolving landscape of generative AI and cybersecurity.

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The hottest Substack posts of Rod’s Blog

And their main takeaways

How AI Infused PCs are Transforming the Computing Industry and Business

39 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Business Hardware Software
  1. AI infused PCs have artificial intelligence capabilities built into the hardware to enhance performance and user experience.
  2. AI infused PCs are driving demand for advanced hardware, software, and infrastructure in the computing industry.
  3. In businesses, AI infused PCs streamline operations, reduce costs, increase efficiency, and provide valuable insights for improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.

The Ways Microsoft Security Copilot Can Enhance Security Operations with Microsoft Intune

59 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Security Cloud Management Integration
  1. Microsoft Security Copilot is an AI-powered security solution that supports security professionals in various scenarios like incident response and threat hunting, using plugins for wider threat visibility and context.
  2. Security Copilot integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Intune, aiding in managing user access to organizational resources, simplifying device management, and supporting the Zero Trust security model.
  3. Security Copilot helps analysts manage identities and devices, deploy apps, and monitor compliance and security posture using natural language commands, queries, and AI-generated dashboards and reports.

Microsoft Sentinel SOC 101: How to Detect and Mitigate Multiple Microsoft Teams Deleted by a Single User with Microsoft Sentinel

39 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Security Software Data Management Incident Response Cloud Computing
  1. Use Microsoft Sentinel to detect and respond to multiple Teams deletion events in your organization.
  2. Collect Teams activity logs in Microsoft Sentinel to monitor data and detect security risks.
  3. Write custom analytics rules in Microsoft Sentinel to generate alerts for suspicious activities, such as multiple Teams deletion by a single user.

Microsoft Sentinel SOC 101: How to Detect and Mitigate Social Engineering Attacks with Microsoft Sentinel

39 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Microsoft Sentinel Social Engineering Threat Detection
  1. Social engineering attacks can have devastating consequences on organizations, leading to financial loss, reputational harm, and legal issues.
  2. Microsoft Sentinel employs machine learning, behavioral analysis, and threat intelligence to effectively detect and mitigate social engineering attacks.
  3. To defend against social engineering, organizations should implement a comprehensive defense strategy utilizing technical controls, user awareness training, and incident response procedures.

How to be Notified When Microsoft Sentinel Data Stops Populating

79 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Data Management Security Monitoring Analytics
  1. Being notified when data ingestion stops is crucial for security analysts to maintain the integrity of security tools.
  2. A KQL query can be set up as an Analytics Rule to alert if a specific table has not received new data within a set timeframe, allowing for timely action.
  3. Email alerts can be configured instead of generating unnecessary security incidents, ensuring the operations team can address potential issues efficiently.
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Must Learn Quantum Security Preface: The Power of Quantum Computing in Advancing Artificial Intelligence

79 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Quantum Computing Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Algorithms Security
  1. Quantum computing has the potential to significantly enhance computational power and speed in AI tasks, offering faster and more accurate predictions.
  2. Quantum computing enables the development of more sophisticated machine learning techniques by processing and analyzing large amounts of data more efficiently.
  3. Quantum-inspired algorithms can be leveraged to improve classical AI algorithms, showcasing the benefits of quantum computing even without fully-fledged quantum computers.

Microsoft Sentinel SOC 101: How to Detect and Mitigate Quishing Attacks with Microsoft Sentinel

79 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Software Email Phishing
  1. QR codes can be used maliciously, so it's important to generate them safely using reputable, secure QR code generators and consider adding password protection for private information.
  2. A quishing attack combines QR codes and phishing to trick victims into sharing sensitive data on fraudulent websites, often bypassing traditional security measures.
  3. Using Microsoft Defender for Office 365 along with Microsoft Sentinel can help detect and mitigate quishing attacks by configuring anti-phishing policies and connecting data for a comprehensive view of potential threats.

Microsoft Sentinel SOC 101: How to Detect and Mitigate Supply Chain Attacks with Microsoft Sentinel

79 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Data Analysis Automation Integration Threat Detection
  1. Supply chain attacks target vulnerabilities within the chain, aiming to compromise products or services before reaching end-users. They pose a significant threat due to their indirect nature, multi-stage process, and high impact potential.
  2. Kusto Query Language (KQL) in Microsoft Sentinel is essential for detecting anomalies or patterns linked to supply chain attacks. By using KQL queries, organizations can identify unusual activities and potential threats.
  3. Microsoft Sentinel's integration with various tools and automated response capabilities, such as Playbooks, enables swift detection, investigation, and mitigation of supply chain threats. Leveraging these features enhances security measures.

Must Learn AI Security Part 10: Backdoor Attacks Against AI

79 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🕹 Technology AI Security Cybersecurity Machine Learning Data Privacy Threat Detection
  1. A backdoor attack against AI involves maliciously manipulating an artificial intelligence system to compromise its decision-making process by embedding hidden triggers.
  2. Different types of backdoor attacks include Trojan attacks, clean-label attacks, poisoning attacks, model inversion attacks, and membership inference attacks, each posing unique challenges for AI security.
  3. Backdoor attacks against AI can lead to compromised security, misleading outputs, loss of trust, privacy breaches, legal consequences, financial losses, highlighting the importance of securing AI systems with strategies like vetting training data, robust architecture, and continuous monitoring.

Update now: Stop Running Playbooks Directly from Analytics Rules

79 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Software Automation Analytics Security
  1. Microsoft Sentinel is deprecating the capability to assign Playbooks directly to Analytics Rules, encouraging the use of Automation Rules for better efficiency and management.
  2. With Automation Rules, you can manage all your automations from one place, trigger playbooks for multiple analytics rules with a single rule, define playbook execution order, and set expiration dates for playbook runs.
  3. Consider migrating existing Analytics Rules with directly assigned Playbooks to the new Automation Rules method to enhance effectiveness.

PSA: Migrate from the Threat Intelligence Platform Connector to the Threat Intelligence Solution in Microsoft Sentinel

79 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Security Data Software Updates Networking
  1. The Threat Intelligence Platform Connector in Microsoft Sentinel is being deprecated, so users should consider migrating to the new Threat Intelligence Solution soon.
  2. There is no definitive date for the deprecation, but users are advised to start using the new version within the next 6 months.
  3. The new version of the Threat Intelligence Solution offers more artifacts like Rules and Hunting Queries, providing additional capabilities.

Must Learn AI Security Part 1: Prompt Injection Attacks Against AI

79 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Security Data Protection Monitoring Mitigation
  1. Prompts are crucial for AI as they shape the output of language models by providing initial context and instructions.
  2. Prompt injection attacks occur when malicious prompts are used to manipulate AI systems, leading to biased outputs, data poisoning, evasion, model exploitation, or adversarial attacks.
  3. To defend against prompt injection attacks, implement measures like input validation, monitoring, regular updates, user education, secure training, and content filtering.

Easy Way to Build KQL Query Templates for Azure Services

79 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🕹 Technology Azure Querying Services
  1. You can easily build KQL query templates for Azure services by using the Open Query option in the Azure portal.
  2. The Open Query option in Azure Resource Graph Explorer auto-builds a KQL query for the specific service you're accessing.
  3. Not all Azure services have the Open Query option, only those that utilize Azure Graph for information.

Must Learn AI Security Part 4: Trojan Attacks Against AI

79 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Security AI Malware Data
  1. Trojan attacks against AI involve disguising malware as legitimate software to gain unauthorized access, steal data, or manipulate algorithms, leading to dangerous outcomes.
  2. Common steps in a Trojan attack against AI include reconnaissance, delivery of the Trojan, installation, establishing command and control, exploitation, and covering up tracks to avoid detection.
  3. Mitigation of Trojan attacks against AI involves measures like using antivirus software, regular software updates, strong access controls, employee education on social engineering, and implementing monitoring strategies like real-time monitoring, intrusion detection, and machine learning for anomaly detection.

Monitor Azure Open AI Deployments with Microsoft Sentinel

79 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Cloud Computing Security Data Analysis Automation Software Development
  1. Defender for Cloud Apps can now monitor Azure Open AI activity, making it easier to track and locate activity using Microsoft Sentinel.
  2. Utilize KQL queries to identify Azure Open AI deployments and create a maintained Watchlist in Microsoft Sentinel for easy monitoring.
  3. Automate the updating of the Watchlist with Logic Apps to ensure it always contains the most up-to-date information on Azure Open AI instances.

The Role of AI in Education: How Technology is Transforming Learning

39 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🚌 Education Technology Teaching Learning AI Innovation
  1. AI in education offers personalized learning paths based on student's needs and abilities, making learning more effective and engaging.
  2. AI assists teachers by automating tasks like grading and providing insights for improving teaching methods, enhancing the overall teaching experience.
  3. Innovative learning experiences are enabled through AI technologies like virtual reality and gamification, making education interactive and fun.

AI Red Teaming

39 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Security Ethics Framework Compliance
  1. AI red teaming is crucial for ensuring AI systems are robust, secure, and aligned with human values and expectations.
  2. AI red teaming helps identify weaknesses and threats that could compromise the performance, functionality, or integrity of AI systems.
  3. AI red teaming aligns with responsible AI principles like fairness, reliability, safety, privacy, inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability.

The Impact of Social Media on Cybersecurity

39 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Social media Cybersecurity Privacy Online safety Data Protection
  1. Social media is a significant source of cyber threats, as cybercriminals use it to steal personal information, spread malware, and launch phishing attacks.
  2. Social media platforms are vulnerable to cybercrime due to the vast user base they have, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals.
  3. To stay safe on social media, it's important to be cautious about what you share, use strong passwords, be wary of suspicious links, keep software updated, and utilize two-factor authentication.

The Impact of AI on the Legal System

39 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Legal system Data Analysis Automation Ethics
  1. President Biden's Executive Order outlines key principles and guidelines for AI use in the US legal system.
  2. Generative AI accelerates tasks like idea generation but struggles with intricate problem solving.
  3. AI is transforming legal professions by automating tasks, assisting with legal research, and improving efficiency in legal work.

The KQL Mysteries: Prologue

59 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Programming Data Analysis Digital World Query Language
  1. Jon Block, a top-tier security analyst, used KQL - Kusto Query Language, to tackle cyber threats. This powerful query language helped him root out elusive cyber threats and protect digital landscapes.
  2. Jon's journey into cybersecurity began with self-taught programming and a determined spirit after being a victim of a cyber attack. His dedication led him to become a renowned cybersecurity professional using KQL.
  3. KQL's elegance and power allowed Jon to shine in the cybersecurity realm, offering protection to clients from all levels of society. His mastery of KQL made him a formidable force against cybercriminals.

AI and Ethics: Balancing Innovation with Responsibility

39 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Innovation Responsibility Frameworks
  1. AI has the potential to revolutionize various sectors, but it also brings about ethical challenges like bias and privacy concerns.
  2. Ethical principles for AI include fairness, accountability, transparency, privacy, human dignity, and diversity. Guidelines must ensure these values are upheld in AI development and application.
  3. Ethical solutions for AI involve actions like designing AI ethically, implementing ethical governance and regulation, and educating stakeholders to ensure responsible AI development and use.

Must Learn AI Security Compendium 15: Securing AI Endpoints

59 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Security
  1. AI endpoints are crucial interfaces for users to interact with AI systems, but they pose security risks like data breaches and cyberattacks.
  2. Developers and security professionals need to focus on secure code, secure data, and secure access to protect AI endpoints effectively.
  3. Implementing best practices like using secure development methods, authenticating users securely, and safeguarding data storage are essential to ensure AI endpoint security.

The Three Tenets for AI Security and How to Audit Activity Logs

59 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Security Data Access
  1. AI security involves three main tenets: secure code, secure data, and secure access. It is crucial for security professionals to ensure AI systems are designed, developed, and maintained following these principles.
  2. To achieve secure code, monitor and update AI systems regularly, validate and verify their performance, and adhere to secure development practices and tools.
  3. When auditing activity logs, focus on detecting cyberthreats, troubleshooting and resolving issues, and optimizing performance. It involves collecting, analyzing, visualizing, and reporting on the activities within the AI system.

Must Learn AI Security Compendium 14: Securing On-prem LLMs

59 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Security Machine Learning Privacy
  1. On-prem LLMs offer privacy benefits by keeping data and texts secure from unauthorized access or leaks.
  2. On-prem LLMs enhance security by reducing cyber attack risks due to not relying on external components or services.
  3. On-prem LLMs improve performance by utilizing an organization's own hardware and software resources for efficient language generation.

How to Monitor the Microsoft Sentinel Trial Period

59 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Software Microsoft Cloud Computing Data Management
  1. For Microsoft Sentinel customers, a 31-day trial period is available by enabling Microsoft Sentinel on a Log Analytics workspace.
  2. To monitor the trial period, look under the 'News & Guides' blade and access the 'Free Trial' tab to see how many days are left.
  3. In the past, the 31-day trial could be enabled unlimited times on new workspaces, but now it's limited to 20 times per Azure subscription.

Microsoft Sentinel SOC 101: How to Detect and Mitigate Rare Domains Seen in Cloud Logs with Microsoft Sentinel

59 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Security Cloud Computing Data Analysis Threat intelligence Automation
  1. Rare or malicious domains in cloud logs can be used by attackers for phishing, malware delivery, data exfiltration, and command and control.
  2. Detection and analysis of rare domains in cloud logs can help identify threats like phishing attacks, malware delivery, data exfiltration, and command and control activities.
  3. Microsoft Sentinel offers features like built-in hunting queries, automation rules, and playbooks to help detect, enrich, validate, and respond to rare domains in cloud logs.

Must Learn AI Security Compendium 12: Red Teaming Strategies for Safeguarding Large Language Models and Their Applications

59 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
🕹 Technology AI Security Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity Machine Learning
  1. Red teaming is crucial for identifying vulnerabilities and strengthening the defenses of AI systems like large language models.
  2. Large language models, while powerful, are not immune to vulnerabilities such as manipulation by malicious actors or amplification of biases.
  3. Effective red teaming involves systematic approaches like threat modeling and penetration testing, and collaboration between red and blue teams is key for a comprehensive defense strategy in AI security.

Microsoft Sentinel SOC 101: How to Detect and Mitigate Botnet Attacks with Microsoft Sentinel

59 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Analytics Threat intelligence Automation Collaboration
  1. Botnet attacks can be detrimental to network security by causing massive disruptions through DDoS attacks, data theft, and malware distribution.
  2. Microsoft Sentinel provides advanced AI and machine learning capabilities to detect and mitigate botnet attacks effectively, offering features like threat intelligence integration and automated incident response.
  3. Organizations can enhance botnet detection with Microsoft Sentinel by setting up custom alerts, regularly updating systems, implementing strong access controls, and collaborating with security teams for threat intelligence sharing.

Must Learn AI Security Compendium 11: Threat Modeling AI/ML Systems

59 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🕹 Technology AI Security Machine Learning Data Poisoning
  1. Threat modeling is crucial for identifying and mitigating security threats in AI/ML systems by adopting the perspective of an attacker and uncovering vulnerabilities.
  2. Key considerations in threat modeling for AI/ML systems include data poisoning, adversarial perturbation, model extraction, and membership inference attacks.
  3. To protect AI/ML systems, organizations should implement mitigation strategies like robust data validation, adversarial training, access controls, and privacy-preserving techniques.

Must Learn AI Security Compendium 8: The CISO Guide to Generative AI Security

59 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
🕹 Technology AI Security Cybersecurity Generative AI Best Practices
  1. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney have revolutionized content creation but also pose significant security risks. Cybercriminals are increasingly using generative AI for sophisticated attacks, requiring CISOs to understand and address these threats.
  2. Generative AI attacks target email systems, social media, and other platforms to exploit human vulnerabilities. CISOs must prioritize user education, deploy advanced email security solutions, and secure vulnerable platforms to counter these attacks.
  3. To mitigate generative AI risks, CISOs should develop an AI security strategy, implement user awareness programs, enhance email security, leverage advanced threat intelligence, use MFA, update systems regularly, employ AI-powered security solutions, foster a security culture, collaborate with peers, and continuously assess and adapt security measures.

Must Learn AI Security Compendium 10: Challenges of Enhancing AI Language Models with External Knowledge

59 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🕹 Technology AI Security Machine Learning Software Data Privacy
  1. Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) enhances AI language models by combining them with external knowledge sources, improving the quality and accuracy of generated responses.
  2. RAG offers benefits such as access to current information, increased contextual understanding, and reduced risk of incorrect data, but it also comes with challenges like data integration and semantic relevance.
  3. The future of RAG includes developments like fine-grained relevance ranking, domain-specific knowledge bases, real-time updates, and ethical considerations to ensure responsible use.

Microsoft Sentinel SOC 101: How to Detect and Mitigate Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) with Microsoft Sentinel

59 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Security Cloud Computing Data Analytics Automation Threat Detection
  1. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) are stealthy and sophisticated cyberattacks that aim to gain unauthorized access and remain undetected for prolonged periods, typically orchestrated by skilled threat actors like nation-state groups or cybercrime syndicates.
  2. Microsoft Sentinel provides a cloud-native Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution that offers intelligent security analytics, threat intelligence, and the ability to collect and analyze data at scale.
  3. To combat APTs effectively, organizations can utilize Microsoft Sentinel to connect data sources, use workbooks for monitoring, analytics rules for correlating alerts into incidents, playbooks for automating common tasks, and hunting queries for proactively searching for threats.

Microsoft Sentinel SOC 101: How to Detect and Mitigate a DNS Spoofing Attack with Microsoft Sentinel

59 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Security Cloud Computing Cybersecurity Threat Detection Automation
  1. DNS spoofing, also known as DNS cache poisoning, can lead to serious consequences like compromising credentials and exposing confidential information.
  2. Microsoft Sentinel is a cloud-native SIEM solution that offers benefits like intelligent security analytics, scalability, and cost reduction compared to legacy solutions.
  3. To detect and mitigate DNS spoofing attacks using Microsoft Sentinel, you can leverage features like built-in connectors, workbooks for monitoring data, analytics rules, playbooks for automated workflows, and custom logic creation.

Microsoft Sentinel SOC 101: How to Detect and Mitigate Session Token Stealing Attacks with Microsoft Sentinel

59 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Data Analytics Cloud Computing Threat Detection Automation
  1. Session token stealing attacks can lead to unauthorized access, data theft, account takeover, and other malicious activities.
  2. To detect session token stealing attacks, Microsoft Sentinel offers a comprehensive solution using advanced analytics, threat intelligence, and automation.
  3. Mitigate session token stealing by using HTTPS encryption, secure cookies, short-lived session tokens, strong passwords, multifactor authentication, and other security measures.

I AM AI

59 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Data Ethics Security Training
  1. President Biden made headlines by saying 'I am AI', creating confusion and criticism, despite NVIDIA previously using the phrase for marketing.
  2. The statement 'I am AI' is viewed as clever and may spark important discussions about artificial intelligence's impact on society and responsibility.
  3. Humans are connected to the creation and control of AI, emphasizing that the responsibility lies with us to shape AI's future.

Using Kali Linux and Hydra for Attack Testing and Alert Generation

59 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Security Operating Systems Ethical Hacking
  1. Hydra is a powerful open-source tool used for cracking passwords in various network services like telnet, FTP, HTTP, etc.
  2. Kali Linux is a specialized operating system designed for penetration testing and comes pre-installed with tools like Hydra.
  3. It is crucial to use tools like Hydra ethically and with proper authorization to perform effective security assessments and improve system security.