World

Breaking Barriers: The Next Wave of Cybersecurity Training Emerges

Published

2 years ago

January 18, 2024

In his famous book “The Art of War,” Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu explains that victory in any conflict comes from knowing your enemy as well as you know yourself. That concept lies at the heart of offensive security practices that have emerged as the next wave of cybersecurity.

White Knight Labs, a leading provider of advanced cybersecurity solutions, offers organizations around the globe an opportunity to benefit from offensive security through the training it provides in its Offensive Development Cybersecurity Training Course. The training initiative is a two-day virtual program designed to elevate the skills of cybersecurity professionals through immersive, hands-on learning experiences.

“At White Knight Labs, we understand the critical need for cybersecurity professionals to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving landscape,” says Greg Hatcher, CEO of White Knight Labs. “The ‘Offensive Development’ course is not just about theory; it’s a hands-on journey, offering practical skills and real-world applications. We aim to equip participants with the latest tools and techniques, empowering them to navigate the complexities of offensive cybersecurity effectively.”

White Knight Labs is a boutique cybersecurity consultancy specializing in cloud security. It provides a comprehensive suite of products and services that enable organizations to proactively detect, respond to, and neutralize sophisticated cyber attacks. White Knight Labs has built a solid reputation for empowering organizations to defend against emerging threats and secure their cloud environments by focusing on innovation and collaboration.

“The work we do at White Knight Labs is founded on the principle that a robust defense is built on a strategic offense,” Hatcher shares. “Our training is invaluable because it teaches the art of thinking like an adversary to develop the insights and understanding needed to protect against complex threats. Only by outpacing threat actors can organizations confidently safeguard their business against tomorrow’s cybersecurity challenges.”

The evolution of cybersecurity

Cybersecurity practices emerged more than three decades ago as computers became networked and vulnerabilities began to be exploited. The earliest security measures were defensive. Firewalls prevented unauthorized access. Encryption ensured sensitive data was kept private.

As the volume and complexity of attacks increased, cybersecurity professionals began to see the value of going on the offensive. Network penetration tests emerged as a strategy for confirming the valid attack vectors of an organization’s digital landscape. Organizations secretly deployed their own phishing attacks to test policies’ effectiveness and employees’ readiness.

“Our goal at White Knight Labs is to enable organizations to do next-level testing of their protections, procedures, and responses,” Hatcher shares. “Our simulation and emulation services involve multi-faceted attacks that utilize advanced, real-world scenarios. They result in actionable reports that provide highly valuable information about the security posture and security awareness levels of employees, physical protections, and technology deterrents. In the end, organizations become aware of the security gaps they must fill to safeguard their systems effectively.”

Understanding modern defense solutions

The White Knight Labs Offensive Development Training Course is an intermediate-level course expertly designed for cybersecurity professionals looking to elevate their skills in the complex art of offensive cybersecurity. It’s a dynamic course with a curriculum that evolves along with the digital threat landscape and the latest research findings.

The course begins with a full day of exploring modern defense mechanisms. Participants engage in hands-on exercises involving Terraform Labs in AWS environments, portable executable conversions, and various process injection strategies. Instructors impart a deep understanding of the newest techniques and research in Windows API manipulation, shellcode storage, and dynamic resolution of hidden imports.

The second day of training provides instruction on advanced offensive techniques, including expert training on the Cobalt Strike Command and Control (C2) framework. Participants delve into understanding C2 profiles, defeating sandbox detection, identifying endpoint detection and response (EDR) active protections, and mastering dynamic link library proxying. Other advanced concepts taught in the course include anti-malware scan interfaces, event tracing for Windows, and custom payload development strategies.

The complete course provides an excellent opportunity for cybersecurity professionals, including security analysts and researchers, to advance their understanding of and proficiency with offensive security tools. Penetration testers, red teamers, and blue teamers looking to advance their malware development skills will also benefit from the course.

“White Knight Labs is committed to helping those we train to get into the trenches and experience real-world scenarios that will challenge your skills and knowledge,” Hatcher explains. “Understanding the concepts is not enough. Hands-on experience is the key to developing the skills and confidence needed to tackle today’s cybersecurity challenges. The most prepared organizations are those who best understand the threats they are facing.”

World

More Named Storms — Is Your Luxury Pergola Ready?

Published

1 week ago

December 11, 2025

Jenny Jackson

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a 60% chance that the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season would be above normal. The administration said to watch for between 13 and 19 total named storms — those with winds of 39 mph or higher.

For homeowners in hurricane-prone regions, this raises an urgent question: are your outdoor spaces ready to weather the storm?

PERGOLUX, a leader in durable outdoor structures, designs powder-coated aluminum pergolas with adjustable louvers to withstand the harshest environments.

“Today’s outdoor living spaces face the wrath of nature’s extremes,” says Tim Heneveld, Country Director of PERGOLUX North America. “Hurricanes, tropical storms, and flash floods bring powerful winds exceeding 100 mph. Their relentless rain and rising floodwaters can quickly devastate unprepared structures. If you want to protect your investments, resilient design is essential.”

Is your aluminum pergola and louvered roof ready to take on intense storms?

The open-air elegance of patio pergolas with slat roofs is perfect for a gentle breeze, but can make them vulnerable to the violent forces of hurricane winds. These storm winds pack powerful uplift and lateral forces.

Wind uplift occurs when gusts of wind flow beneath the roof, generating upward pressure that can lift the entire structure off its base. Lateral forces push a pergola horizontally, causing it to lean or even collapse.

The key defense against these powerful forces? A reinforced frame.

“Strong, well-engineered frames act as the backbone of your pergola,” notes Heneveld. “Aluminum is the ideal material for a pergola’s frame. It combines the strength needed to resist bending or breaking with a lighter weight that reduces strain on the foundation.”

PERGOLUX’s pergolas feature reinforced frames engineered to withstand intense storms with confidence. In fact, their latest model, the Skydance Series 3 Pergola, is specially crafted to endure winds up to 165 mph, which means that even when fierce hurricanes like Milton sweep through, these pergolas remain intact.

Reinforced aluminum frames designed with thickened beams and precision connections stand up to wind uplift and lateral pressure. Hurricane-rated bolts, brackets, and screws hold everything tightly together to prevent ‌weak points that storms so often exploit. When each joint is reinforced and well-anchored, your pergola can remain a steadfast retreat despite the wildest weather. Thicker beams and columns combined with robust engineering techniques give these pergolas superior strength. Extra support brackets, hidden fasteners, and precise assembly methods ensure the frame endures.

Elevated bases can protect your luxury pergola from floods

Along with high winds, storms bring torrential rain. Rising water can undermine structural footings and rot wooden materials, which can destabilize the entire installation.

An elevated base is a strategic line of defense. “By constructing your pergola on raised concrete footings or piers, you create a gap between the ground and the structure,” notes Heneveld. “During a flood, it keeps the water at bay. The elevation also prevents erosion caused by pooling rainwater.”

The best-quality outdoor pergolas offer high-grade materials and cutting-edge engineering

The key element of any storm-ready outdoor structure is its materials. PERGOLUX chooses 6063-T5 aluminum, a marine-grade alloy renowned for its incredible strength and exceptional resistance to corrosion, even when exposed to salty sea air and humid conditions.

“A wooden or vinyl pergola may look great at first,” says Heneveld, “but they often require costly upkeep or replacement after just a few seasons of storm damage. Our reinforced aluminum pergolas will give you years of worry-free durability. It will remain strong and look fantastic, no matter the weather.”

PERGOLUX’s advanced engineering solutions also protect what is inside the structure. Their patented RainLUX™ integrated gutter system channels rainwater away, preventing leaks that can damage furniture and floors.

“We offer a 10-year warranty to back up all of our claims,” Heneveld says. “It’s our commitment that these structures will protect your home’s exterior environment for years to come. We want you to focus on enjoying the moments that matter in your pergola, not on the coming storms.”

Practical outdoor living tips to prepare your louvered pergola kit before storm season

Even the strongest pergola will fare better when prepped for a coming storm. “Make sure to secure your loose items,” Heneveld warns. “Before a storm, remove furniture, planters, and décor. All of these can become hazardous projectiles.”

When homeowners hear that a storm is on the way, they will want to fully secure any screens or panels. Removing detachable panels before severe weather will help protect the pergola by reducing wind resistance.

Homeowners will want to take the time to routinely inspect and maintain their pergolas. A quick check for loose fasteners or other small signs of wear goes a long way in preserving the pergola’s strength.

“Combine simple preparation with a reinforced, elevated, and expertly engineered structure, and you’ll have an outdoor space built to last,” Heneveld concludes. “Investing in a storm-ready pergola is about so much more than just avoiding damage. You’re preserving a lifestyle. A long-lasting pergola will bring you years of shaded summer barbecues and fresh-air morning coffees.”