Think Like an Attacker: Cybersecurity Tips From Cato Networks' CISO

Etay Mayor, chief security strategist at Cato Networks and a Boston College professor, shares his journey and advice for entering and advancing in cybersecurity in Dark Reading’s Think Like an Attacker feature. He notes that cybersecurity is a multifaceted field that spans law, policy, marketing and technology, and emphasises the importance of thinking like an attacker to build stronger defences.

Mayor describes his path from hacking his school’s database as a teenager to leading research labs and teaching courses such as Designing Defensive and Offensive Capabilities, where he aims to teach non-technical students how to think like cybercriminals. He highlights CTRL, the Cyber Threats Research Lab at Cato, which consolidates research to educate clients and the market about threat actors.

He also points to the value of diverse perspectives—from policy and law to security—arguing that OSINT and other disciplines can yield unexpected insights, such as a veteran student’s Venmo-based social-relations analysis. According to Dark Reading, the message is clear: cybersecurity is constantly evolving, and anyone willing to learn and collaborate can contribute meaningfully.