ThreatLocker’s Zero Trust World Event Draws Diverse Crowd in Orlando
This week, Orlando, Florida, is hosting ThreatLocker’s Zero Trust World event, attracting hundreds of attendees with varied motivations.
For some, this gathering serves as an invaluable opportunity to connect with industry peers, whether at the lively bar of a local restaurant or amidst the bustling show floor.
Others, particularly the numerous Managed Service Providers (MSPs), are keen to discern ThreatLocker’s latest developments, while preparing to relay this knowledge to their clientele.
Additionally, some attendees may find an excuse to luxuriate at a resort replete with expansive pools and a verdant golf course—a delightful endeavor comfortably charged to the corporate account.
For many, a blend of all these elements is at play.
Yet, for Danny Jenkins, ThreatLocker’s CEO and Co-founder, the imperative remains crystal clear: safeguarding businesses and their data from an ever-evolving landscape of criminal threats.
A Legacy in Cybersecurity
Since 1997, Jenkins has navigated the intricate world of cybersecurity, and in 2017, he established ThreatLocker alongside Sami Jenkins. During the opening keynote, he recounted an anecdote that, although familiar, resonates with urgency.
Many years prior, he was summoned to assist an Australian firm in its recovery efforts following a devastating ransomware attack. This incident underscored the critical stakes ThreatLocker aims to defend.
“Out of every other piece of malware I’ve confronted… I’ve never encountered one that could evoke tears from a 60-year-old man,” Jenkins shared.
“This man’s business was faltering because someone opened a rogue email.”
Jenkins’ Relentless Drive
Jenkins is undoubtedly a man of ambition. When first encountered on the show floor, he was seen swiftly moving between clusters of clients.
About twenty minutes later, I found myself engaging with him in a room populated by his development and threat intelligence teams, diligently monitoring the company’s endeavors amid the throbbing pulse of the convention.
This particular conversation veered toward the tumult occurring in the Middle East. Jenkins articulated how activities leading up to, during, and following last year’s twelve-day conflict with Iran might illuminate the ongoing turmoil in the region.
“There’s a brief exchange of missiles, and shortly afterward—within weeks to months—there’s a noticeable uptick in state-sponsored attacks aimed at US companies,” Jenkins remarked.
He highlighted the fortified nature of government agencies, which, while not impervious, present formidable obstacles for hackers.
However, these cybercriminals often direct their assaults toward critical infrastructure.
“This includes not only power grids,” Jenkins explained, “but essential services like hospitals. Municipalities present significant, vulnerable targets; their accessibility often leads to chaos and disruption.”
While the specter of both nation-state and hacktivist threats remains prominent in Jenkins’ mind, his focus on ThreatLocker’s mission—to shield organizations from ransomware and data breaches—remains paramount.
“Our goal… recognizing that we cannot identify every instance of malicious activity is to transform security without aggravating the user experience or organizational workflow,” Jenkins noted.
The objective is to simplify the implementation of a zero-trust framework, rendering it user-friendly while erecting robust defenses against potential intrusions.
“We aspire to empower users to remain untouchable by hackers… without hindering their operational efficiency.”
A Focus on Education at Zero Trust World
Zero Trust World emphasizes both education and product dissemination, fostering engagement among sponsors and attendees alike.
The event features a sprawling main stage showcasing everything from discussions with Apollo program icon Gene Kranz, whose unforgettable proclamation during the Apollo 13 incident—“Failure is not an option”—serves as the event’s ethos, to keynotes from cybersecurity experts and a concluding talk by Adam Savage of Mythbusters renowned fame.
Two hacking labs provided hands-on experience with security practices, while multiple breakout sessions offered intimate educational forums, reflecting the event’s commitment to practical application.
Jenkins’ dual role as both coder and entrepreneur manifests itself when he and ThreatLocker’s Chief Product Officer delineated the incorporation of device-based cloud and network access controls into their Zero Trust platform; they regaled attendees with tales of the extensive efforts invested in this new offering.
In the lead-up to the launch, Jenkins had personally re-evaluated the codebase no less than a dozen times, humorously facing accusations—likely in jest—that he was the sole detractor of the project.
His adherence to the belief that “failure is not an option” sets the tone for his team’s work ethic, often manifesting in grueling twenty-hour days.
When posed with the daunting challenge of mitigating escalating ransomware threats and the widening attack surface, Jenkins responded with characteristic optimism.
“First and foremost, if you’re not preoccupied with the notion of falling behind in any industry, entrepreneurship may not be the right path for you,” he declared.
From a security standpoint, I possess no concerns, as I recognize that our methodology obviates the need for continuous innovation.
However, remaining abreast of industry trends is essential; stagnation equates to obsolescence. History has shown that even giants like Symantec, once dominant in endpoint security, can vanish.
“In this sector, an unwavering expectation for relentless innovation exists. I perpetually grapple with the fear that I am not meeting expectations or delivering adequately. Without setting high standards, reaching customer satisfaction remains elusive.”
Source link: Cybersecurityconnect.com.au.
