Semperis to Host Cybersecurity Exercise Featuring Marcus Hutchins at Black Hat 2025
In an era of increasing cyber threats, Semperis, a leader in AI-powered identity security, is taking bold steps to enhance cybersecurity preparedness. On August 5, 2025, during the Black Hat conference, Semperis will conduct 'Operation Blindspot,' a high-stakes tabletop exercise aimed at refining incident response strategies against potential cyberattacks targeting crucial infrastructure, such as water and electricity utilities. The event will feature Marcus Hutchins, the cybersecurity expert renowned for crippling the notorious WannaCry cyberattack in 2017, highlighting the importance of bolstering defenses in the face of evolving threats.
Operation Blindspot simulates the complexities of responding to a made-up cyberattack on a fictional water utility. Recent research by Semperis has disclosed alarming statistics: over 60% of water and energy utilities in the U.S. and the UK were victims of cyberattacks within the last year. "This tabletop exercise is not just about responding; it's about gaining insights that can significantly enhance our capabilities to defend vital resources," stated Hutchins, emphasizing the unique challenges posed by cyber threats to critical infrastructure.
The exercise will feature a lineup of renowned teams, including incident responders, security analysts, and representatives from the FBI, Las Vegas Police, and the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA). Participants will engage in collaborative problem-solving scenarios to boost their readiness to tackle real cyber incidents. This strategic gathering aims to streamline coordination among various stakeholders, ensuring that all parties can effectively mobilize resources during actual cyber crises.
Marty Momdjian, Semperis EVP and Operation Blindspot facilitator, expressed the urgency of such exercises, stating, "Cyberattacks don’t follow a schedule; they occur when vulnerabilities are highest. Our recent findings show that over 70% of organizations faced significant cyber events last year, resulting in major operational halts. Therefore, there’s no room for complacency; businesses must have solid, well-rehearsed response strategies in place that they can rely on during emergencies."
Additionally, Chris Inglis, the inaugural U.S. National Cyber Director and a strategic advisor for Semperis, has raised concerns about hidden threats within public utilities, particularly the infiltration risks posed by state-sponsored attackers from China. He pointed out that adversaries like Volt Typhoon often employ stealthy tactics, such as 'Living off the Land' attacks, to compromise critical infrastructure without immediate detection.
Hutchins' involvement in Operation Blindspot underscores the event's focus on crucial national security issues regarding infrastructure resilience. His insights are expected to be invaluable as the cybersecurity community navigates the evolving landscape of threats.
For those interested in expanding their cybersecurity knowledge and improving their readiness, Semperis offers seats for the Operation Blindspot exercise, inviting participants to learn from this critical initiative. To secure your spot, visit Semperis' official website for more details: https://www.semperis.com/operation-blindspot/
About Semperis: Semperis is dedicated to safeguarding critical enterprise identity services for organizations operating in hybrid and multi-cloud settings. Their innovative technology is specifically designed for protecting hybrid identity environments, such as Active Directory and Okta, and it currently secures over 100 million identities from cyber threats, data breaches, and operational failures. Committed to community guidance, Semperis offers several valuable resources, including the Hybrid Identity Protection Conference and essential free tools, all while proudly serving major brands and government entities across more than 40 nations. Learn more about their mission and services at https://www.semperis.com.
Operation Blindspot simulates the complexities of responding to a made-up cyberattack on a fictional water utility. Recent research by Semperis has disclosed alarming statistics: over 60% of water and energy utilities in the U.S. and the UK were victims of cyberattacks within the last year. "This tabletop exercise is not just about responding; it's about gaining insights that can significantly enhance our capabilities to defend vital resources," stated Hutchins, emphasizing the unique challenges posed by cyber threats to critical infrastructure.
The exercise will feature a lineup of renowned teams, including incident responders, security analysts, and representatives from the FBI, Las Vegas Police, and the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA). Participants will engage in collaborative problem-solving scenarios to boost their readiness to tackle real cyber incidents. This strategic gathering aims to streamline coordination among various stakeholders, ensuring that all parties can effectively mobilize resources during actual cyber crises.
Marty Momdjian, Semperis EVP and Operation Blindspot facilitator, expressed the urgency of such exercises, stating, "Cyberattacks don’t follow a schedule; they occur when vulnerabilities are highest. Our recent findings show that over 70% of organizations faced significant cyber events last year, resulting in major operational halts. Therefore, there’s no room for complacency; businesses must have solid, well-rehearsed response strategies in place that they can rely on during emergencies."
Additionally, Chris Inglis, the inaugural U.S. National Cyber Director and a strategic advisor for Semperis, has raised concerns about hidden threats within public utilities, particularly the infiltration risks posed by state-sponsored attackers from China. He pointed out that adversaries like Volt Typhoon often employ stealthy tactics, such as 'Living off the Land' attacks, to compromise critical infrastructure without immediate detection.
Hutchins' involvement in Operation Blindspot underscores the event's focus on crucial national security issues regarding infrastructure resilience. His insights are expected to be invaluable as the cybersecurity community navigates the evolving landscape of threats.
For those interested in expanding their cybersecurity knowledge and improving their readiness, Semperis offers seats for the Operation Blindspot exercise, inviting participants to learn from this critical initiative. To secure your spot, visit Semperis' official website for more details: https://www.semperis.com/operation-blindspot/
About Semperis: Semperis is dedicated to safeguarding critical enterprise identity services for organizations operating in hybrid and multi-cloud settings. Their innovative technology is specifically designed for protecting hybrid identity environments, such as Active Directory and Okta, and it currently secures over 100 million identities from cyber threats, data breaches, and operational failures. Committed to community guidance, Semperis offers several valuable resources, including the Hybrid Identity Protection Conference and essential free tools, all while proudly serving major brands and government entities across more than 40 nations. Learn more about their mission and services at https://www.semperis.com.
Topics Other）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.