Podcast Background
In an earlier episode of the Federal Tech Podcast titled "Innovation in Handling Complexities of AI," host John Gilroy sat down with Michael Browne, Director of Cyber Innovation, and Jon David, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NR Labs. The Federal Tech Podcast connects listeners with federal technology leaders, offering deep dives into the latest trends and challenges in the tech landscape. This episode, available at The Oakmont Group LLC, explores how NR Labs is addressing the evolving complexities of artificial intelligence (AI) through a cybersecurity lens. With a focus on penetration testing and cybersecurity, NR Labs stands out as a pure-play cyber firm committed to innovation and client defense.
Key Highlights from the Episode
- NR Labs’ Mission: Preserving Cybersecurity Innovation
NR Labs was founded with a clear purpose: to maintain the innovative spirit of cybersecurity startups that often fades after acquisition by larger tech conglomerates. Jon David emphasized that companies like Mandiant and CrowdStrike inspired their vision, but NR Labs aims to avoid the pitfalls of losing culture and edge through integration. Instead, they focus on delivering cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, driven by a passion for defending clients and contributing to the broader security community. This mission resonates with their identity as a lab—not just a place for solutions, but a hub of creativity and adaptability. - Penetration Testing with a Purpose
Penetration testing is a cornerstone of NR Labs’ offerings, but their approach sets them apart. Jon David highlighted that while many penetration testing reports are overly technical and list numerous high-severity findings, NR Labs prioritizes actionable outcomes. Drawing from years of commercial and federal experience—including Jon David’s decade at Mandiant responding to major breaches—they deliver reports that focus on prioritization and effective remediation. "Customers don’t pay for you to hack their network and walk away," he noted. "They want to know how to fix it." This client-centric methodology underscores their expertise in understanding attacker behaviors and translating that into practical cybersecurity strategies. - A Holistic Cybersecurity Lifecycle
Michael Browne described NR Labs’ comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, covering the entire lifecycle from design to retirement. This "cradle-to-grave" perspective ensures that vulnerabilities are addressed at every stage, particularly as organizations transition to cloud environments. Their penetration testing and red teaming capabilities allow them to stay ahead of emerging threats, adapting to the dynamic nature of cyber risks. By combining operational experience with proactive testing, NR Labs provides clients with robust, sustainable security programs tailored to today’s challenges. - The Cyber ColLab: Unifying Expertise
Collaboration is central to NR Labs’ success, embodied in their Cyber ColLab—a cultural framework that unites diverse expertise across service lines. Michael Browne explained how this initiative brings together penetration testers, data analysts, and cyber engineers to tackle complex problems. One example is their response to the rise of AI: they assembled a team to create a secure artificial intelligence test bed. This collaborative effort fosters innovation, allowing NR Labs to explore new technologies and threats while maintaining a cohesive, mission-driven team. - Secure AI Test Bed and Localized Adversarial Model
To address AI’s growing role in cybersecurity, NR Labs developed a secure AI test bed featuring a localized adversarial model. Michael Browne detailed how this model, hosted in their own cloud container, simulates potential vulnerabilities and tests AI guardrails. Launched in September, this initiative reflects their proactive stance on understanding AI’s offensive and defensive capabilities. By localizing the model, they can experiment safely, gaining insights into how AI behaves under adversarial conditions—a critical step in securing AI-driven systems. - Partnerships Driving Security Forward
NR Labs collaborates with industry leaders to enhance cybersecurity. Their partnership with US AI focuses on bridging security gaps in AI models, particularly in the federal space. Additionally, they are working with Amazon to identify and improve security weaknesses, with a forthcoming blog post set to share their findings. Jon David stressed the importance of responsible disclosure, ensuring that remediation precedes publication. These efforts highlight NR Labs’ commitment to advancing security not just for their clients, but for the broader ecosystem. - Cautious Adoption of AI
While AI offers powerful tools for research and acceleration, NR Labs approaches its adoption with caution. Michael Browne noted that AI excels at aggregating information quickly—offering a "60% to 70% solution"—but requires human oversight to ensure accuracy and relevance. Jon David echoed this, comparing AI to a template generator that speeds up tasks like coding or summarization, yet falls short in secure implementation without human refinement. This balanced perspective ensures that NR Labs leverages AI’s benefits while mitigating its risks. - Looking Ahead to 2025
Peering into 2025, NR Labs anticipates significant shifts in cybersecurity. Michael Browne pointed to the federal sector’s push toward zero trust architectures and the secure integration of AI as key trends. He also emphasized the urgent need to protect critical infrastructure, which often relies on outdated technology vulnerable to sophisticated attacks. Jon David reinforced this, citing examples like the Colonial Pipeline incident and their own testing on trains, cruise ships, and vehicles. These insights position NR Labs to address emerging threats with their seasoned expertise and innovative approaches.
Final Thoughts
NR Labs exemplifies how a focus on penetration testing and cybersecurity can drive innovation in an AI-driven world. Their mission to preserve startup agility, combined with a team of senior experts, enables them to deliver tailored, impactful solutions. From the Cyber ColLab to their secure AI test bed, NR Labs is not just reacting to threats—they’re shaping the future of cybersecurity. As they look to 2025, their work on zero trust, AI security, and critical infrastructure protection underscores their leadership in the field. For a deeper dive into these insights, listen to the full episode of the Federal Tech Podcast here.
