ShadowTalk: Powered by ReliaQuest

The 2026 Annual Threat Report Breakdown, Part 2 — Once They're In: Post-Compromise Tactics, Ransomware & Exfiltration

Resources: https://linktr.ee/ReliaQuestShadowTalkJoin hosts Tehman and John as they discuss:Why ransomware now prioritizes exfiltration over encryption How attackers can exfiltrate your data in just 6 minutesWhy proactive darkweb monitoring is criticalJohn Dilgen: Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst at ReliaQuest, where he specializes in researching cyber threats impacting ReliaQuest customers. With a strong technical background, he previously served as an Incident Response Analyst and Trainer at ReliaQuest.Tehman Tariq: Sr. Manager of Cyber Operations at ReliaQuest. He has spent a majority of my career leading our Incident Response, Security Architecture, and Detection teams. As well has working hand in hand with CISOs to introduce automation allowing for the maturity of their security programs.

The 2026 Annual Threat Report Breakdown, Part 1 — How AI Contributes to Attacker Speed, and the Malware That's Winning

Resources: https://linktr.ee/ReliaQuestShadowTalkJoin hosts Brandon and John as they discuss:How attacker breakout times dropped to as little as 4 minutes Why ClickFix surged 200%Why behavioral detection is criticalJohn Dilgen: Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst at ReliaQuest, where he specializes in researching cyber threats impacting ReliaQuest customers. With a strong technical background, he previously served as an Incident Response Analyst and Trainer at ReliaQuest.Brandon Tirado: Director of Threat Research for ReliaQuest. A skilled cyber defense professional with a unique combination of management and hands-on experience. With a deep understanding of adversary motives and the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) they use to achieve their goals, Brandon enjoys operationalizing his knowledge to make it more difficult for adversaries to operate within the environments of ReliaQuest customers. His managerial and hands-on experience enriches ShadowTalk with practical and strategic viewpoints.

Malware Isn't Required—How Ransomware Groups Turn Legitimate RMMs Into a Weapon

Resources: https://linktr.ee/ReliaQuestShadowTalkJoin hosts John and Tehman as they discuss:What attackers prefer over custom malwareHow signature-based detection failsProactive governance vs. reactive triageJohn Dilgen: Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst at ReliaQuest, where he specializes in researching cyber threats impacting ReliaQuest customers. With a strong technical background, he previously served as an Incident Response Analyst and Trainer at ReliaQuest.Tehman Tariq: Sr. Manager of Cyber Operations at ReliaQuest. He has spent a majority of my career leading our Incident Response, Security Architecture, and Detection teams. As well has working hand in hand with CISOs to introduce automation allowing for the maturity of their security programs.

Ransomware vs. Exfiltration-Only—The Extortion Model Showdown

Resources: https://linktr.ee/ReliaQuestShadowTalkJoin hosts Brandon and John as they discuss:Why extortion payment rates are the lowest everOrganizations paying ransomware but refusing data extortion demandsWhy defenders need both visibility and speedJohn Dilgen: Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst at ReliaQuest, where he specializes in researching cyber threats impacting ReliaQuest customers. With a strong technical background, he previously served as an Incident Response Analyst and Trainer at ReliaQuest.Brandon Tirado: Director of Threat Research for ReliaQuest. A skilled cyber defense professional with a unique combination of management and hands-on experience. With a deep understanding of adversary motives and the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) they use to achieve their goals, Brandon enjoys operationalizing his knowledge to make it more difficult for adversaries to operate within the environments of ReliaQuest customers. His managerial and hands-on experience enriches ShadowTalk with practical and strategic viewpoints.

Patch Management Is Losing—The Case for Predictive Vulnerability Defense

Resources: https://linktr.ee/ReliaQuestShadowTalkJoin hosts Brandon and John as they discuss:Why traditional patch cycles can't beat attackers exploiting vulnerabilities in 24 hoursThe shift from reactive patching to predictive intelligence using EPSS and CISA KEVHow to defend against zero-days when patching isn't an optionJohn Dilgen: Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst at ReliaQuest, where he specializes in researching cyber threats impacting ReliaQuest customers. With a strong technical background, he previously served as an Incident Response Analyst and Trainer at ReliaQuest.Brandon Tirado: Director of Threat Research for ReliaQuest. A skilled cyber defense professional with a unique combination of management and hands-on experience. With a deep understanding of adversary motives and the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) they use to achieve their goals, Brandon enjoys operationalizing his knowledge to make it more difficult for adversaries to operate within the environments of ReliaQuest customers. His managerial and hands-on experience enriches ShadowTalk with practical and strategic viewpoints.