Scott Jarkoff

it is remarkable, and perhaps inevitable, how time unveils the true nature of those we thought we knew. recent events have not merely exposed differences, but have stripped away illusions, revealing character in its raw, unfiltered form. what was hidden behind civility now stands bare, reminding me authenticity cannot be masked forever

this is not about politics or dogma or belief systems. divergent perspectives are part of life, and i immensely respect them. what strikes deeper is the choice to abandon grace, to forgo respect, and to indulge in petty mockery and name-calling. actions, more than words, are the markers of who we truly are. and in choosing derision over dignity, far too many alleged friends have drawn a line i refuse to ignore

if this behavior reflects their authentic self, if this is not merely a performance to capture fleeting attention or bolster a follower count, then perhaps the bond we thought we had never existed. it is a sobering realization, and it carries a profound sadness; not for what was lost, but for what was never truly there. in the end, perhaps the only regret is the time invested in a connection that was, in essence, nothing but an illusion from day one

this all reminds me of the fable of the scorpion and the frog. the scorpion needed to cross a river, and asks the frog for a ride on its back. the frog obviously hesitates, wary of the scorpion's deadly sting. the scorpion assures the frog of its goodwill, claiming if it stings the frog they would both drown. convinced, the frog agrees. yet, midway through the crossing the scorpion in fact stings, sealing both their fates. as they are sinking, the frog asks quizzically, "why?" the scorpion simply replies, "it is my nature"

moments like this bring a similar, harsh realization. sometimes, those we trust reveal their true nature only when we are most vulnerable. despite promises and assurances, they act in ways unavoidably harmful, not because of circumstance but because of their true character. the lesson is profound and painful: we may offer trust, even against our instincts, but when actions reveal character, we must acknowledge it. just as the frog learned too late, so too must we recognize when someone’s nature is incompatible with loyalty or respect

in the end, the cost of ignoring such behavior is simply too high

farewell to those who were never truly here; may you find in others the reflection you failed to show

the amount of complete lunacy on twitter/X surrounding the CrowdStrike update event on Fri Jul 19 is staggering. some of the insane, wholly unfounded narratives people are pushing is absurd. my faith in humanity tumbled substantially more than $CRWD stock at market close🤦🏼‍♂️

Cycling is a passion delivering me joy and revitalization. However, life sometimes presents unexpected obstacles impeding my two-wheeled adventures. No matter the reason, the absence of cycling leaves me with a bittersweet mixture of guilt and longing https://saiklr.com/blog/rain-rest-and-reflection/

beautiful morning for a nice ride to clear up and refresh the mind

this Reddit comment perfectly captures how I feel after watching the Niners divisional playoff game😰💦

@NotYourSysadmin@infosec.exchange thanks for the kind words friend. I cannot even imagine the situation you are faced with because the harmful air from those wildfires is insane. hope things calm down for you so you can hit the tarmac again soon

javier bardem is one of the finest actors embodying characters exuding creepy af, unsettling intensity. his portrayal in monsters: the lyle and erik menendez story is insanely chilling, bringing a level of disturbing realism to the role. bardem inhabits jose menendez w/an unnerving authenticity, channelling raw, discomforting energy

Japanese version of an Australian lamington at a cafe claiming to serve food from down under. Overall not bad, but nowhere in the same league as lamingtons found in Oz

Life moves through a neon-lit labyrinth of an unknown cityscape, an urban sprawl where shadows hide coded messages, and unseen routes pulse beneath the concrete. The paths we walk are unlike any street or highway mapped on physical terrain. Highways of the real world exist within strict boundaries, with guiding signs, ordered stops, and resolved destinations. But life twists in ways few anticipate, unraveling into corridors without names, nodes without coordinates, taking us deeper into realms beyond what any machine can predict

My recent trip to Singapore felt like stepping into the heart of a digital mirage, an echo pulsing from a realm beyond visible reality. I arrived with fixed and precise objectives, each goal aligned with the clarity of well-crafted code. But Singapore, wrapped in neon shadows and silent undercurrents, had its own agenda; a rhythm felt rather than seen, a hidden frequency seemed to filter through the city's pulse

Between seemingly ordinary moments, amid conversations floating like signals through the air, an anomaly emerged from the shadows. It was elusive, as if a concealed signal wove itself into the fabric of each interaction, leaving a subtle yet profound impression. Not a single encounter nor a stray word could explain it. Yet I felt it — a whisper, a suggestion, a shadow just at the edge of perception. The city itself seemed to harbor secrets spoken in a language known only to those attuned to the unseen currents, to the ripples beneath reality's surface

What had started as a straightforward journey suddenly unraveled, revealing corridors of possibility, twisting and shifting like hidden pathways; a mysterious, esoteric labyrinth within a labyrinth. Destinations I had not considered began to shimmer like faint symbols on a screen, leading me into realms defying the logic of intention. It was as if the city had left an encrypted message embedded in my internal neural network, urging me toward paths unknown, yet undeniably calling

The traces of this encounter linger now, like fragments of data waiting to be decrypted, stirring with the quiet urgency of something vast and undefined. Paths diverge, possibilities deepen, and what lies ahead rests in the shadows of a world unseen

I believe in neither coincidence nor fate, yet I understand every ripple alters the source code of existence in ways unintended, and unseen. What took place in Singapore feels like a node on a map not yet fully rendered. The shifts it provoked could create waves across the fabric of society, rewiring the very network humanity traverses

The journey now demands more than mere persistence. It calls for relentless focus, near-obsessive discipline, alliances shaped by trust in a world where trust is an elusive currency, and the ability to see beyond what the eyes could ever desire to perceive. The future waits, cloaked in darkness and neon, known only to those willing to walk through its electric corridors

What will unfold remains hidden. We listen, waiting for the static to clear, for the code to reveal the truth in its own time

In the depths of this neon labyrinth, the path forward is a cipher waiting to be cracked, a storm of hidden code, daring only the unyielding to decode its secrets

As another year draws to a close, RootCon once again surpasses all expectations, leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved. RC18 was an unparalleled experience, offering countless reasons for sincere gratitude. RootCon stands as one of the few events across Asia-Pacific cultivating a familial atmosphere. Reuniting with the welcoming Philippine security community is always an absolute pleasure.

RC18 was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. The opportunity to inaugurate the event as the keynote speaker left me both humbled and speechless. My presentation on "Generative AI and the Coming Apocalypse" offered a unique perspective on the existential threats posed by Gen AI, presenting an angle not seen explored elsewhere. Sharing these insights with a jam-packed audience in Tagaytay was both exhilarating and deeply fulfilling.

One moment during my presentation stands out above the rest: being prompted to drink half a goblet of the absolute most horrid vodka (see what I did there?) at a random moment during my talk. Drinking this garbage took nearly a full minute due to its dreadful taste. Then, after I finished my presentation, the MC said a few closing words, quickly pivoting to, "In lieu of me speaking about Scott, how about we make him take another shot!?!?" Immediately I was back on stage, this time swiftly downing a shot of exquisite tequila. The stark contrast between these two drinks remains a curious highlight.

I had the honor of collaborating with my amazing friend, right-hand man, and partner-in-crime, Aaron Ng. The two of us presented a two-hour CTI 101 workshop. The enthusiastic reception from a standing-room-only audience was deeply inspiring. Aaron and I are fully committed to making our contributions to RootCon an annual tradition, providing further CTI training sessions.

Participating in RC18 was more than a mere return to the professional arena after my tenure at CrowdStrike; it signified a threshold into a realm of hidden possibilities. As I ponder the myriad paths before me, I find myself deeply immersed in a clandestine endeavor, enveloped in mystery, and brimming with untapped innovative potential. This arcane pursuit beckons like a distant beacon, drawing me toward uncharted territories where the unknown awaits revelation.

In closing, I extend my deepest gratitude to the dedicated goons whose unwavering support have been instrumental in making this event a success. Their camaraderie and zest for innovation make every moment truly enriching. My heartfelt thanks also go out to all the attendees; it is your passion and participation which give RootCon its very essence. Without you, this gathering would not transcend beyond mere planning into the vibrant community it has become.

As we turn our gaze toward 2025, I eagerly anticipate the extraordinary experiences RC19 will undoubtedly offer, confident it will leave an enduring impact on all who partake.

Coming soon🧐🤨🤔

Why is Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) an integral component of a stout cyber security defense strategy? This is part one of a multi-part series of posts answering this quite vexing question.

CTI is imperative for organizations, particularly if they want to stay ahead of sophisticated cyber threats. CTI helps provide actionable insights into the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) adversaries employ, enabling the proactive deployment of defense measures. It enhances threat detection, informs strategic decision-making, supports rapid incident response, and informs red team testing to better mimic real-world attacks. CTI also helps with MITRE ATT&CK technique mapping, and prioritizing vulnerabilities most likely to be leveraged by threat actors, among *many* other exceedingly important areas.

As cyber threats evolve, having a dedicated CTI team allows organizations to adapt defenses, reducing the risk of successful attacks and safeguarding critical assets, data, and reputation as the world continues to undergo digital transformation.

CTI is inherently a proactive discipline because it involves continuously monitoring, analyzing, and anticipating potential cyber threats before they materialize into attacks. By identifying emerging threats, and understanding adversary TTPs, CTI enables organizations to take preemptive actions, such as implementing targeted defenses, identifying gaps due to MITRE ATT&CK mapping, patching vulnerabilities, educating the masses, fine-tuning incident response plans, and much more. This proactive stance not only mitigates risks but also enhances an organization's ability to swiftly respond to and recover from cyber incidents, thereby maintaining a robust security posture as threat actors constantly evolve their tradecraft.

One of the first things to be quite easily done with a CTI team is threat profiling. This is a simple exercise involving creating detailed profiles of the adversaries most likely to target the organization, including their motivations, capabilities, and TTPs. Threat profiling is vital because it will helps with deep understanding of the adversaries, and develop targeted defense strategies.

Here are the broad-based areas for why this is crucial:

1. Understanding Adversaries
2. MITRE ATT&CK Mapping
3. Vulnerability Exploitation
4. Predicting Attack Patterns
5. Enhancing Detection and Response
6. Improving Threat Hunting
7. Stout Cyber Defense
8. Strategic Decision-Making
9. Collaboration and Information Sharing
10. Enhancing Training and Awareness

CTI is a critical solution for combating modern threats. Threat profiling is indispensable, delivering vital intelligence on adversaries' tactics, empowering organizations to craft razor-sharp defenses, and urgently fortifying their cyber security posture against sophisticated attacks.

Tomorrow in part two I will dive deeper into each of the aforementioned ten topics.

#threatintelligence #cybersecurity #threatprofiling #intelligence

Final ride of 2023 https://www.instagram.com/p/C1gQD8wvnH4/?igsh=bmZzZmVtNGtrdzlr

rocked an almost 50km ride at the amazing Al Quadra cycling track in the Dubai desert. was a lot of fun even if a bit chilly at 6am! https://www.instagram.com/p/C1BlLcENd92/?igshid=ZWI2YzEzYmMxYg==

airplane pre-takeoff safety videos are insane. nobody would be that calm when putting on a mask, search for the closest exit, or escape a plane crashed into the water. “calmly exit the aircraft” does not exist during mayhem

I wanna see these videos be reminiscent of the Cast Away crash sequence, w/everyone being shown how to use the equipment during hellacious chaos, water rapidly entering the cabin, & the passengers & crew in extreme panic. that would be far more interesting albeit terrifying!

Seriously Singapore Airlines? it is 2023 & requiring USB cables be unplugged from the seat ports, and not charging any devices during takeoff & landing, is so 2010. you are literally the only airline demanding this safety theater nonsense. maybe consider working on more important concerns than something so trivial …

Mira laying in her favorite position under a chair with one leg “hooked” around the chairs leg to keep her underside wide open, staying comfy with the cool air from a floor fan

had a nice respite yesterday from the nonstop Tokyo weather insanity, but the heat is back up past crazy once again this morning. already 29 at 8:30am, expected to hit 36 today, with a bear index around 40. so much for the shortlived more milder temperature

amazing CrowdStrike threat summit in Sydney yesterday, where I spoke about the threats to Australia and solutions to the problems I outlined. had a blast with marvelous customers and colleagues alike. ANZ knows how to throw fabulous events!

Tokyo Tower lit up at night from the main entrance to Tokyo American Club. this view never gets old