Author: Benjamin Knauss
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The Rupture of the Republic
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…
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Benjamin Knauss on Why 2026 May Be the Hardest Year for Cybersecurity Ever
Here we go again, an other trip around the sun, and I can say without risk of hyperbole that the risks have never been greater. Why 2026 will be the roughest year to date, and what you can do about it. Technological Acceleration: The Quantum Nightmare Is Here Let me be blunt: 2026 is the…
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From Tupac to Mumble Rap: What the Evolution of Hip-Hop Teaches Us About Code
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…
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Stop Running a Toll Booth and Call It Security
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…
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Unethical Injection Attack by Employers
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…
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Mexican Immigration – Then and Now
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.…
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CISO Briefing Follow-Up: Supply Chain Risk Intensifies for SOHO Devices
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…
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Heist Movies vs. Reality #7: The Sequel
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…
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Heist Movies vs. Reality #6: The Quick Getaway
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…
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Heist Movies vs. Reality #5: Cracking the Vault
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:…