New Episode of Darknet Diaries: EP 166: Maxie
In this episode, Jack Rhysider introduces Maxie Reynolds, a cybersecurity expert with a fascinating story and a varied career. Maxie grew up in Scotland and has always been drawn to adventure and travel. After earning a degree in underwater robotics in England, she worked as an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) pilot for a Norwegian company, which allowed her to travel the world.
Maxie then moved to Australia, where she became interested in computing and earned a degree in computer science. She also worked as a stuntwoman in Los Angeles before entering the field of cybersecurity. Her first role in this field was with a cybersecurity team in Australia, where she witnessed a physical and social penetration test, which inspired her to become a penetration tester herself.
One of her first penetration testing missions involved infiltrating a transport company to photograph their assets. Maxie decided to pose as a Swedish ambassador, but her Scottish accent gave her away, and she was detained by security. Despite this failure, she persevered and continued to train and gain experience in the field.
During another penetration test for a local administration in Australia, Maxie accidentally cut off the water supply to the entire city by entering the wrong command into a control system. This incident led to her being detained by the police and nearly cost her her job, but she was eventually released without charges.
Maxie then recounted a penetration testing mission where she had to infiltrate a highly secured logistics warehouse and steal trucks. After failing to enter through conventional means, she discovered a gap in the fence and was able to climb pallets to access an open window on the second floor. Once inside, she found the terminals unlocked and was able to connect an approved device and take the necessary photos. However, she had to find another exit since she couldn't go back the way she came. She eventually managed to escape through a poorly secured loading door.
The mission didn't end there. Maxie was ordered to steal the trucks parked in the parking lot. Using various techniques, she successfully located the keys to several trucks and moved them to another location. This mission highlighted the security flaws of the company, including insufficient key control and parking trucks outside the secured perimeter.
One of Maxie's most complex missions involved infiltrating a highly secured data center. After failing to enter through conventional means, she discovered a sewer pipe that led directly to the data center. Using municipal plans, she was able to locate an access point and infiltrate the data center through the sewers. This mission led Maxie to think about even more secure ways to protect data centers, which led her to develop underwater data centers.
Maxie co-founded a company specializing in underwater data centers, which offer increased physical security and reduced energy costs. These data centers are placed in modular containers and submerged in the ocean, where they are connected to power and fiber optic cables. Underwater data centers are extremely difficult to physically penetrate, requiring submarines or remotely operated vehicles to access them.
Maxie has also written a book titled "The Art of Attack: Attacker Mindset for Security Professionals," which explores the mindset of attackers and how security professionals can adopt it to design more robust defenses. She emphasizes that understanding how an attacker thinks, strategizes, and perseveres is essential for building resilient systems.
In conclusion, the episode highlights the fascinating journey of Maxie Reynolds, from her beginnings in underwater robotics to her career in cybersecurity and the development of underwater data centers. Her story illustrates the importance of perseverance, creativity, and understanding the attacker mindset in the field of cybersecurity.