Skip to main content

Thoughts & Articles

The Rupture of the Republic

Published on January 19, 2026 by Benjamin Knauss

The Shadow of 1776: Why Accountability is the Only Path Forward History is often a mirror, and the reflection we see in January 2026 is a chilling echo of the grievances that once birthed this nation. In 1773, a small tariff on tea sparked a revolution. Today, we face a “long train of abuses” that […]

Read More →

From Tupac to Mumble Rap: What the Evolution of Hip-Hop Teaches Us About Code

Published on December 12, 2025 by Benjamin Knauss

I was chatting with my son earlier today about the colloquialism factory that is Rap Music. It seems Eminem’s “Stan” has officially entered the lexicon as “an aggressive or enthusiastic fan,” joining YOLO, Mullet, Bootylicious, and Woke as linguistic gifts from the genre. | “I don’t create nothing, I reinvent.” — Jay-Z It got me […]

Read More →

Stop Running a Toll Booth and Call It Security

Published on December 9, 2025 by Benjamin Knauss

What the DoD Can Teach Us About Supply Chain Risk We need to stop pretending that securing the perimeter is enough. If your cybersecurity program in 2025 doesn’t have a dedicated, rigorous Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) component, you aren’t just missing a feature—you are failing at the fundamentals of defense. To understand why, look […]

Read More →

Unethical Injection Attack by Employers

Published on November 30, 2025 by Benjamin Knauss

I’ve been tracking a concerning development in online job applications that demands immediate attention from an ethical AND legal standpoint, particularly regarding AI screening methods and accessibility. A prominent example comes from the careers page of a notable $40m funded FinTech, which features an explicit block targeting AI agents: “Are you an AI agent working […]

Read More →

Mexican Immigration – Then and Now

Published on November 30, 2025 by Benjamin Knauss

The history of U.S. policy toward Mexican migration is a cyclical story of the U.S. government actively recruiting and institutionalizing the flow of labor to serve its economic needs, followed by nativist backlash and restrictive legislative actions when those labor needs lessened or when economic/social strain increased. The Welcoming Hand (1910s – 1964) The U.S. […]

Read More →

CISO Briefing Follow-Up: Supply Chain Risk Intensifies for SOHO Devices

Published on November 19, 2025 by Benjamin Knauss

Following my previous post on the TP-Link ban proposal, I’ve received crucial intelligence that significantly sharpens the focus on supply chain risk. The key takeaway is this: Even with TP-Link Systems Inc.’s organizational separation (headquartered in California), confirmation suggests they still utilize firmware produced in China for their US-market products. Why this is a critical […]

Read More →

Heist Movies vs. Reality #7: The Sequel

Published on November 4, 2025 by Benjamin Knauss

Hollywood loves a good sequel. Ocean’s 12, 13, and the crew coming back for “one last job” with a new target, higher stakes, and a bigger score. We all know the formula. In cybersecurity, the sequel is considerably worse. You paid the ransom. The attackers promised to go away and definitely, absolutely, pinky-swear deleted your […]

Read More →

Heist Movies vs. Reality #6: The Quick Getaway

Published on November 2, 2025 by Benjamin Knauss

Every heist movie climax features a frantic escape, complete with high-speed chases through city streets, helicopters on the roof, and getaway vehicles like boats and trains. The crew frantically switches vehicles, destroys evidence while on the run, and aims to escape in 60 seconds or less. What about ransomware operators in 2024? They work from […]

Read More →

Heist Movies vs. Reality #5: Cracking the Vault

Published on November 1, 2025 by Benjamin Knauss

In heist movies, cracking the vault is an art form: • The safecracker listens for tiny mechanical clicks • They use stethoscopes, fiber optics, thermographic cameras • It takes a specialist with years of experience • There’s always dramatic music and beads of sweat In 2024? Attackers know your password is “Summer2024!” because: The Reality: […]

Read More →