Tidal Cyber Strengthens Threat Intelligence Leadership with Cat Self's Appointment
Tidal Cyber, renowned as the pioneer in Threat-Led Defense, recently announced a significant addition to its leadership team with the appointment of Cat Self as the Senior Director of Adversary Research. Self is widely recognized as a leading expert in cyber threat intelligence and adversary emulation, and her expertise will be instrumental in advancing Tidal Cyber’s initiatives in refining procedural-level threat intelligence and testing capabilities.
Prior to joining Tidal Cyber, Cat Self made her mark at MITRE, where she served as the macOS/Linux Lead for the MITRE ATT&CK framework. She was also the founder of the cyber threat intelligence team that supported ATT&CK Evaluations. With a rich background in U.S. Army military intelligence and enterprise red teaming at Target, she has spearheaded extensive procedural emulation initiatives, translating complex adversary tactics into actionable assessments that organizations can use to strengthen their defenses.
Now at Tidal Cyber, Cat will be at the forefront of adversarial research and strategy, with aims to advance procedural research that prioritizes high-risk attacks over conventional signals. This new approach will change how organizations assess their defenses, allowing them to focus primarily on strategies that effectively counter real-world threats. By aligning defensive investments with genuine attacker behavior, organizations can strategically identify where to disrupt attacks and enhance overall security posture.
Cat stated, "I joined Tidal Cyber because the company is committed to transparency surrounding the performance of defenses against actual adversary procedures. The cybersecurity sector is often overwhelmed with marketing claims, yet it is these defined procedures—the exact steps that adversaries undertake—that offer clarity. They highlight decision points, motives, and capabilities. By understanding how their defenses perform at such granular levels, organizations can cut through the noise and concentrate on tackling the most critical issues."
Her arrival comes at a time when organizations increasingly need to refine their cybersecurity strategies amidst a growing landscape of threats. The emphasis on procedural-level intelligence will enable Tidal Cyber’s clients to not only understand if their defenses can foil attacks but also where these defensive measures can be most effectively implemented.
Frank Duff, Chief Innovation Officer and Co-Founder of Tidal Cyber, reflected on Cat’s exceptional leadership qualities in adversary research and threat intelligence. He mentioned, "I had the privilege of hiring Cat during our time at MITRE and witnessed her talent for transforming intricate adversary tactics into usable insights. Her profound knowledge in procedural research aligns perfectly with our mission of enhancing organizations' understanding of their defense capabilities against real attack scenarios."
Cat's appointment is not just a strategic hire; it represents Tidal Cyber's ongoing investment in procedural research and testing capabilities. These elements are at the core of the company’s Threat-Led Defense platform, which emphasizes the need for specificity in adversary execution to disrupt attacks and minimize associated risks.
Those interested in learning more about Tidal Cyber and its innovative approaches can visit their official website at www.tidalcyber.com. The evolving nature of cybersecurity demands robust leadership such as that offered by Cat Self, and it will be fascinating to see how her insights shape the future of threat intelligence strategies within organizations around the globe.