Welcome to Conversations with Des. I’m your host Des Blanchfield. Today I have the pleasure of being joined by Val Bercovici, founder and CEO of ChainKit, and Dr. Richard White, the cybersecurity architect for the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Gents, great to have you. Val, welcome to the show. Great to see you again. Thanks for making time to join us. Pleasure. Thanks for having us. And Richard, we really appreciate you making time to join us and really looking forward to hearing about your fun challenge and solution.
Addressing the Challenge of Cybersecurity Log Integrity
Today, folks, we’re gonna have a conversation around Tennessee’s Department of Transportation’s need to address the challenge of cybersecurity log integrity and in particular how ChainKit address that need to, as Val paraphrased it, guard the guardians, which I love.
Dr. Richard’s Summary of the Challenge
Dr. Richard White shared a brief summary of the challenge faced by the Tennessee Department of Transportation. He explained the mandate to upgrade the networks, camera systems, and other infrastructure to prepare for an intelligent transportation system. The department also needed to collect more data on highways and integrated corridor systems, which required a network that could accommodate the Internet of Things. After failing vulnerability assessments with legacy technology, the department purchased new equipment and refreshed the network to ensure protection against cybersecurity threats.
Importance of Cybersecurity Integrity
Dr. Richard emphasized the importance of cybersecurity integrity, particularly in protecting critical infrastructure. He highlighted the need for a network that could effectively guard against confidentiality, integrity, and availability breaches. He also stressed the significance of using multiple security products to work together in a triangulation type, ensuring comprehensive protection against potential threats.
ChainKit’s Approach to the Challenge
Val Bercovici discussed ChainKit’s approach to the challenge, emphasizing the need to think and act adversarially. He highlighted the risks and threats posed by stealthy and invisible exploitations of vulnerabilities, particularly in the context of ransomware attacks. ChainKit aimed to prove the concept that the risk of these solutions is not mitigated by a single defense but requires a balanced approach encompassing the CIA triad of cybersecurity.
Third-Party Validation
Dr. Richard White mentioned the strategic controls assessment and adversarial simulations conducted by a third party to validate the solution implemented by ChainKit. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that core services and third-party vendors are explicitly verified to mitigate potential risks and threats.
How to Reach ChainKit
Val Bercovici provided contact information for reaching out to ChainKit, including the company’s website, email address, and social media profiles. He encouraged organizations facing similar cybersecurity challenges to engage in a conversation with ChainKit to mitigate risks and ensure comprehensive protection.
Conclusion
The conversation with Val Bercovici and Dr. Richard White shed light on the critical importance of cybersecurity integrity, particularly in safeguarding critical infrastructure. Their insights and experiences underscored the need for a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, encompassing the CIA triad and leveraging multiple security products to work together effectively. Organizations facing similar challenges are encouraged to reach out to ChainKit for expert guidance and solutions to mitigate cybersecurity risks.
Thank you for tuning into Conversations with Des. We look forward to your continued engagement and discussions on cybersecurity challenges and solutions. Stay tuned for more insightful conversations in the future.
