The Code of Honor

CHAPTER 7Practicing Cyber Kung Fu

“I will endeavor to exercise patience, wisdom, and self-control in all situations.”

– The Cybersecurity Code of Honor

“Patience is the road to wisdom.”

– Kao Kalia Yang, author, public speaker, and teacher

“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

– Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor

Jared paced slowly with his coffee in hand until he stood at the corner of his long stand-up desk. He looked through the glass window to see Jill, his CISO, on the phone a few workstations away. Jared was a lead security analyst for the fastest-growing crowd-funding start-up on the planet. He looked back to his screen to slowly reread one more time the email forwarded to him and assess its legitimacy. He had handled enough cyber incidents in his time to recognize this was not a prank. Luka, the company's new system admin, came running from the corner office in a panic. “Did you see our About page?” he yelled to Jared and anyone who would listen. Jared took a slow, deep breath, “I am looking at the attacker's communication right now.” Raise-a-Fund's About page had also been transformed from a colorful and inviting informational landing spot into a concerning black screen with the picture of an angry red troll holding up one prominent finger in a defiantly obscene gesture. Their attackers also sent along an email providing evidence that they had possession of 22 million consumer credit card numbers. All signs ...