2024 LinkedIn Rewind Analysis

Coauthor Studio analyzed my LinkedIn posts, professional profile, audience, and writing style to create a personalized year-in-review post and highlights card. The results are as follows:

2024 wasn’t just another year in cybersecurity — it was a masterclass in organizational resilience. When Anydesk’s massive security breach hit, it wasn’t just a technical problem; it was a wake-up call about how quickly our digital infrastructures can become vulnerable. Throughout 2024 I learned that true security isn’t about perfect systems — it’s about adaptive leadership and continuous learning. Three moments crystallized this year’s lessons: • Anydesk Security Alert: Proactive threat identification saves organizations. “Any organization that has any connection with Anydesk needs to kill all instances of Anydesk and start looking for breach.” https://lnkd.in/eHntmmwY • Mental Health in Security: Our greatest vulnerability isn’t in our networks, but in our people. “Positions in cybersecurity, cyber intelligence, and IT fields are renowned for their demanding and stressful nature.” https://lnkd.in/eAvtZ3qD • Continuous Vigilance: Cybersecurity isn’t a month — it’s a mindset. “Cybersecurity Month is Great, But We Need Vigilance All Year Long!” https://lnkd.in/e_9tG9_v Strategic initiatives like our Help Desk replacement and new imaging platform weren’t just technical upgrades — they were resilience builders. Each project reinforced that technology transforms when human insight guides it. Looking ahead to 2025, I’m seeking a senior technology leadership role where I can continue bridging technical expertise with strategic vision. For my fellow cybersecurity professionals: our greatest asset isn’t our tools, but our ability to adapt, learn, and protect. hashtag#cybersecurity hashtag#infosec hashtag#ITsecurity hashtag#LinkedInRewind hashtag#Coauthor hashtag#2024wrapped https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7278587276664664064-u7wB?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Relationships Matter! The cozy relationship between the GRU/SVR and Russian cyber criminals.

Understanding the intricate dynamics of cyber warfare is crucial in today's cyber landscape. One such collaboration that often flies under the radar is the relationship between the Russian GRU/SVR and cybercriminals within Russia.

Despite their differing motives, the GRU/SVR and Russian cybercriminals often find common ground in their pursuit of cyber operations. The GRU (Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation /

Гла́вное управле́ние Генера́льного шта́ба Вооружённых сил Росси́йской Федера́ции) as Russia's military intelligence agency, and the SVR (Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation / Служба внешней разведки Российской Федерации) as Russia's foreign intelligence service, leverages the expertise and resources of these cybercriminal groups to carry out disruptive activities on a global scale.

These collaborations offer several advantages to the GRU and SVR:

 -Access to advanced hacking tools and techniques developed by cybercriminals.

 -Plausible deniability, as attributing attacks to state-sponsored entities becomes challenging due to the involvement of independent actors. 

 -Economic benefits, as cybercriminals may receive financial incentives or immunity in exchange for their services.

However, this partnership poses significant risks, including:

 -Potential loss of control over operations, as cybercriminals may act independently or pursue personal agendas.

 -Damage to diplomatic relations and international reputation if attribution links attacks back to the Russian government.

 -Escalation of cyber conflicts, leading to retaliatory measures and increased tensions in the global cyber landscape.

Understanding these complex relationships is crucial for policymakers, cybersecurity professionals, and businesses to develop effective strategies for mitigating cyber threats and safeguarding against malicious activities. 

So we as professionals within the Information Technology and Information Security community need to foster similar relationships. Collaboration, both domestically and internationally, is essential to address these evolving challenges and foster a secure cyber environment.

-John

#CyberSecurity #GRU #SVR #CyberCrime #Collaboration #InfoSec