Corelight DefeNDRs

Richard Bejtlich

Gain clear, actionable intelligence from Corelight’s network defense experts. Corelight DefeNDRs translates complex cybersecurity detection challenges into concise, practical episodes designed to support faster, smarter decision-making across modern security teams.

Episodes

  1. Episode 5 - Detecting DNS Covert Channels in the Wild (Part 1)

    2 DAYS AGO

    Episode 5 - Detecting DNS Covert Channels in the Wild (Part 1)

    In Episode 5 of Corelight Defenders, I, Richard Bejtlich, engage with Corelight's co-founder and chief scientist, Vern Paxson, to delve into the intricate world of DNS covert channels. We explore how adversaries exploit DNS lookups to silently communicate within tightly controlled enterprise environments. Vern explains various methods attackers may use, from encoding data in seemingly benign domain names to manipulating the timing of requests. Our discussion highlights the challenges of detecting these covert channels, especially in the presence of network monitoring. Join us as we uncover the nuances of this critical cybersecurity issue and set the stage for part two, where Vern will share insights from his extensive research on detecting these covert channels in production networks. Stay tuned for more on the network.

    16 min
  2. Episode 4 - Staying Curious: Lessons from 25 Years in Cybersecurity

    18/12/2025

    Episode 4 - Staying Curious: Lessons from 25 Years in Cybersecurity

    In Episode 4 of Corelight Defenders, I sit down with Angela Loomis, Corelight's Director of Technical Account Management, to explore her remarkable 25-year journey in cybersecurity. Angela shares her unconventional entry into the field, starting from a background in television production to becoming a leader in security strategy. We delve into the importance of curiosity in cybersecurity, discussing how diverse experiences enrich the profession, and whether formal education might dampen that curiosity. Angela also reflects on her roles across various organizations, emphasizing the value of deep product understanding and customer engagement. Join us for an insightful conversation that highlights the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and the lessons learned from decades of experience.

    15 min
  3. Episode 3 - Network Visibility in the Cloud: Why Network Traffic Analysis Remains Critical

    04/12/2025

    Episode 3 - Network Visibility in the Cloud: Why Network Traffic Analysis Remains Critical

    Richard Bejtlich discusses cloud security from a network-centric perspective with Corelight's cloud security researcher, David Burkett. They explore why monitoring network traffic remains essential in cloud environments, despite the presence of native security features offered by cloud providers. David highlights common threats such as container compromises, coin miners, and supply chain attacks, emphasizing the value of traffic visibility for detecting unusual behaviors and breaches. The episode delves into practical approaches like baselining cloud workloads, analyzing ingress and egress traffic, and the unique advantages of monitoring cloud infrastructure through network-based taps. Tune in to discover how organizations can enhance their cloud security strategies through proactive network visibility.

    16 min
  4. Episode 2 - Inside the Black Hat NOC: Defending a hostile conference network

    20/11/2025

    Episode 2 - Inside the Black Hat NOC: Defending a hostile conference network

    Richard Bejtlich talks with Corelight Principal Technical Marketing Engineer Mark Overholser about what it takes to run the Black Hat Network Operations Center and keep a “hostile” training network safe. They walk through how partners like Corelight, Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, Arista, and Lumen build and monitor the conference network, how the team tells lab traffic from real infections, and why misconfigured self hosted services still show up in surprising ways. Mark shares how the NOC works together in one room to investigate issues, when they decide to block or intervene, and practical advice for attendees on preparing their devices, monitoring their own traffic with tools like Zeek, and staying safe on conference Wi Fi without living out of a Faraday bag.

    16 min
  5. Episode 1 - Typhoon season: How Chinese threat actors are quietly staging for disruption

    05/11/2025

    Episode 1 - Typhoon season: How Chinese threat actors are quietly staging for disruption

    Richard Bejtlich sits down with Vince Stoffer, Corelight's Field CTO, to dive into the recent wave of cyberattacks attributed to Chinese threat actors, known as "Typhoon" groups. Vince unpacks the distinctions between "Volt Typhoon," targeting critical infrastructure sectors such as energy and transportation, and "Salt Typhoon," which is infiltrating telecommunications networks for espionage. The conversation explores the evolving tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by these groups, including their exploitation of zero-day vulnerabilities and outdated infrastructure. Richard and Vince discuss the challenges of securing public-facing appliances and critical infrastructure and highlight the importance of robust network visibility and proactive threat detection strategies. Tune in to discover actionable insights on how organizations can better defend against sophisticated state-sponsored cyber threats.

    16 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

Gain clear, actionable intelligence from Corelight’s network defense experts. Corelight DefeNDRs translates complex cybersecurity detection challenges into concise, practical episodes designed to support faster, smarter decision-making across modern security teams.

Information

  • Creator
    Richard Bejtlich
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean

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