No Password Required Podcast Episode 51 — Maretta Morovitz

Summary

Kenya's efforts to enhance its cybersecurity and technological progress through partnerships with the US and major tech companies. The focus is on responsible state behavior in cyberspace and addressing mobile app security. The role of public-private partnerships in promoting a robust digital economy and infrastructure. The conversation then transitions to an interview with Maretta Morovitz, a cybersecurity expert at MITRE, discussing her career path, the importance of mentorship, and the impact of ADHD on her work. The discussion also covers MITRE Engage, which focuses on cyber denial, deception, and adversary engagement, and highlights the use of simple yet effective techniques like decoy credentials. In this conversation, Maretta Morovitz discusses the importance of thinking creatively and outside the box when it comes to cybersecurity solutions, especially for organizations with limited budgets. She emphasizes the need for simplicity and proactive measures in cybersecurity. Maretta also highlights the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in the field, involving professionals from various backgrounds such as human behavioral scientists and graphic designers. She shares a successful collaboration between MITRE and HSBC in the field of deception operations. Maretta also talks about her passion for dance and her unique talent of reciting the alphabet backwards.

Keywords

Kenya, cybersecurity, technological progress, partnerships, responsible state behavior, mobile app security, public-private partnerships, digital economy, infrastructure, interview, Maretta Morovitz, career path, mentorship, ADHD, MITRE Engage, cyber denial, deception, adversary engagement, decoy credentials, cybersecurity, low budget solutions, simplicity, proactive measures, interdisciplinary collaboration, deception operations, dance, talent

Takeaways

• Kenya is forging partnerships with the US and major tech companies to enhance its cybersecurity and technological progress.
• The focus is on responsible state behavior in cyberspace and addressing mobile app security.
• Public-private partnerships play a crucial role in promoting a robust digital economy and infrastructure.
• Mentorship is important in career development, and having mentors who provide opportunities and support can be instrumental in success.
• ADHD can present challenges but also bring unique strengths to the workplace.
• MITRE Engage focuses on cyber denial, deception, and adversary engagement, using simple yet effective techniques like decoy credentials. Thinking creatively and outside the box is crucial in cybersecurity, especially for organizations with limited budgets.
• Simplicity and proactive measures are key in cybersecurity to effectively address threats.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration involving professionals from various backgrounds can bring new perspectives and solutions to the field.
• Deception operations can be a valuable tool in cybersecurity, and successful collaborations in this area have been seen between organizations like MITRE and HSBC.
• Passions and talents outside of cybersecurity, such as dance, can bring unique perspectives and skills to the field.

Sound Bites

• "Sometimes the real solution is something very low tech or just kind of outside the box, low budget."
• "Being proactive has to be simple."
• "We definitely need more of that interdisciplinary approach."

Chapters

00:00 Kenya's Cybersecurity Partnerships

03:24 Addressing Mobile App Security

07:13 Interview with Maretta Morovitz

11:35 Cyber Deception and Adversary Engagement

29:12 The Importance of Simplicity and Proactive Measures

30:07 Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Cybersecurity

31:06 Successful Collaboration in Deception Operations

34:44 Bringing Unique Perspectives and Skills to Cybersecurity