Hands-On Hacking: Lessons Learned from a Rubbery Ducky USB Attack Simulation | A Zero Trust World Conversation with Kieran Human | On Location Coverage with Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli

At ThreatLocker's Zero Trust World 2025 in Orlando, Kieran Human, Special Projects Engineer at ThreatLocker, showcased the practical dangers of everyday cybersecurity threats through engaging, hands-on labs. Attendees, ranging from CISOs to IT technicians, were offered the chance to experience real-world hacking scenarios using devices like the infamous “rubber ducky.”

The Rubber Ducky Experience

The rubber ducky, which resembles a standard USB drive, acts as a keyboard when plugged into a computer, executing automated scripts. Human demonstrated how this device could disable Windows Defender, exfiltrate data, and execute scripts—highlighting how accessible hacking tools have become. Attendees left with both new knowledge and their own rubber ducky, reinforcing the event’s educational impact.

From Learning to Defense

The lab sessions underscored the importance of understanding threats to effectively defend against them. Human emphasized that cybersecurity isn’t just for seasoned professionals; even attendees with minimal experience learned how to execute data exfiltration and bypass security protocols within an hour. This revelation stressed the necessity of robust security measures, even for general IT professionals who may not specialize in cybersecurity.

Mitigating Threats with ThreatLocker

ThreatLocker’s solutions, including features like ring-fencing PowerShell and applying layered protections, were showcased as effective countermeasures. Human explained how ThreatLocker’s tools could prevent malicious scripts from accessing the internet or sensitive folders, offering a tangible defense against the types of attacks demonstrated in the labs.

Looking Ahead

Looking toward next year, Human hinted at more advanced demonstrations, potentially including ransomware scenarios. This forward-thinking approach aligns with ThreatLocker’s commitment to preparing IT and security professionals for the evolving challenges they face.

Why This Matters

The episode captures how ThreatLocker is not just educating but empowering IT and security professionals. By providing a controlled environment to experience cyberattacks firsthand, the event bridged the gap between theory and practice. Listen to the full episode for insights into how these experiences translate into actionable strategies for building stronger, more resilient cybersecurity defenses.

Guest: Kieran Human, Special Projects Engineer at ThreatLocker | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-human-5495ab170/

Hosts:

Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast [@RedefiningCyber] | On ITSPmagazine:  https://www.itspmagazine.com/sean-martin

Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast & Audio Signals Podcast | On ITSPmagazine: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli

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This Episode’s Sponsors

ThreatLocker: https://itspm.ag/threatlocker-r974

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Resources

Learn more and catch more stories from ZTW 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/zero-trust-world-2025-cybersecurity-and-zero-trust-event-coverage-orlando-florida

Register for Zero Trust World 2025: https://itspm.ag/threat5mu1

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Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverage

To see and hear more Redefining CyberSecurity content on ITSPmagazine, visit: https://www.itspmagazine.com/redefining-cybersecurity-podcast

To see and hear more Redefining Society stories on ITSPmagazine, visit:
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