SSTI – Server-Side Template Injection

One vulnerability in the world of web development to be aware of is Server-Side Template Injection.  This type of vulnerability can have serious implications for web applications and services, especially those that serve mobile applications. What is SSTI? Server-Side Template Injection occurs when an attacker is able to inject malicious code into a template on Read More …

SCP – Service Control Policies

Service Control Policies are a feature of AWS Organizations that allow administrators to manage permissions across multiple AWS accounts in a centralized manner.  SCPs provide a way to define the maximum available permissions for accounts within an organization, ensuring that security and compliance requirements are met while allowing flexibility in resource management.  Organizations can enforce Read More …

RDP – Remote Desktop Protocol

Remote Desktop Protocol is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft that allows users to connect to and control or manage a computer remotely over a network connection.  RDP is commonly used in Windows environments, enabling users to access their desktops, applications, and files from anywhere, as long as they have an network connection.  This technology Read More …

SSH – Secure Shell

SSH, or Secure Shell, is a network protocol that allows users to securely access and manage devices over a network.  It is widely used for remote administration of servers and network devices.  SSH provides a secure channel over an unsecured network by using encryption, which protects the data being transmitted from eavesdropping and tampering. Key Read More …

SPA – Single-Page Application

Modern Web Architecture and Security This was a new term for me as I started putting together my most recent study guide. SPA, which stands for Single-Page Application.  While it sounds like a simple website, an SPA represents a fundamental shift in how web applications function, bringing unique challenges to the world of information security.  Read More …

Cloud Formation Example

Imagine you’re a System Administrator tasked with setting up a new environment.  Traditionally, this involves a long checklist: log into the console, click through menus to create a VPC, spin up three VMs, configure storage, attach security groups, and set up a load balancer. If you need a second environment for testing, you have to do Read More …

Fine-Tuning an AI

We’ve talked about grounding (giving an AI a textbook to look at) and prompting (giving an AI clear instructions).  But sometimes, you don’t just want the AI to look at a book; you want the AI to become an expert in its bones.  This is called Fine-Tuning. Generalist vs. Specialist Think of a standard AI Read More …

IaC – Infrastructure as Code

The Recipe for Modern IT In the traditional world of IT, setting up a server was a craft.  A sysadmin would log in, click through menus, install packages, and tweak settings until everything worked.  I know, I did this job for much of my early career.  But much like a chef cooking a complex signature Read More …

OIDC – OpenID Connect

Adding Identity to the Authorization Layer In the journey through information security, you will frequently encounter OAuth 2.0. While OAuth is excellent at authorization, it was never actually designed for authentication. To solve this, OIDC, or OpenID Connect, was created.  Think of it this way: OAuth 2.0 is the key to a hotel room, while OIDC Read More …

OCF – Operating Cash Flow

In the technical world, we often distinguish between “allocated memory” and “active throughput.”  A system might have plenty of resources reserved, but if the data isn’t actually flowing through the pipes, the system just stalls.  In finance, Operating Cash Flow (OCF) is that throughput.  It is the actual cash moving into and out of the Read More …