What is the SANS Holiday Hack Challenge

In this holiday edition of the Exploring Information Security podcast, Ed Skoudis joins me to discuss the SANS Holiday Hack Challenge.

Around this time each year the SANS Holiday Hack Challenge releases under the direction of Ed (@edskoudis) and instructor with the SANS institute. This year Santa has been kidnapped and it’s up to use to figure out who did it and save Christmas. The challenge is for new people in infosec, and for those who have been in the industry for many years. As Ed notes in the episode it is even for children. The challenge itself has been around for years and several past years are still available for people to go through.

In this episode we discuss:

  • What is the SANS Holiday Hack Challenge
  • How it got started
  • What preparation goes into making the challenge each year
  • Who can participate

What is red vs. blue? - Part 2

In this competitive episode of the Exploring Information Security podcast, I discuss red team vs. blue team with Mubix AKA Rob Fuller.

Rob (@Mubix), recently had a post titled "Friendly Fire." In the post he talks about the red vs. blue dynamic and some of the pitfalls of that attitude. I knew of the red vs. blue dyanmic, but I never thought it would be hurting the security industry. I decided to have Mubix on to discuss the topic a little bit more. 

In this episode we discuss:

  • Maximizing the pentest window
  • CTFs and how they contribute to the problem

More Resources

What is Red vs. Blue - Part 1

In this competitive episode of the Exploring Information Security podcast, I discuss red team vs. blue team with Mubix AKA Rob Fuller.

Rob (@Mubix), recently had a post titled "Friendly Fire." In the post he talks about the red vs. blue dynamic and some of the pitfalls of that attitude. I knew of the red vs. blue dyanmic, but I never thought it would be hurting the security industry. I decided to have Mubix on to discuss the topic a little bit more. 

In this episode we discuss:

  • Define red team vs. blue team
  • Working together

More Resources

How to play a CTF

In this thrilling edition of the Exploring Information Security Podcast, I talk with David Coursey about how to play capture the flag (infosec-style).

David (@dacoursey) is one of the organizers of the Charleston ISSA chapter. At DerbyCon 2014 he experienced his first CTF. He had such a good time that he decided to put together the CTF for BSides Charleston two months later. Through those experiences he has learned a lot and has participated in many more CTFs this past year.

In this episode we discuss:

  • What is a CTF event?
  • What is needed to get starter?
  • How to play a CTF?
  • How to win a CTF?
  • What makes for an excellent CTF