A sculptural black perimeter opens around a luminous purple core, crossed by vivid red light.

The SEVN-X journal

INSIDE THEPERIMETER.

Get closer to what matters.
Threats unpacked. Assumptions challenged.
Security insight from the people doing the work.

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EXPERT PERSPECTIVEOFFENSE. DEFENSE. EVERYTHING BETWEEN.

Beyond the surface.Inside the perimeter.

AI, exploits, stolen keys: a violet digital key breaking through a glass security boundary.

In the spotlight/Application Security

PHP2Shell Response Guide: Beyond Matt Barnett’s NBC10 Interview

Worth a closer look

Start with the big questions.

01What’s exposed on the dark web?↗02How do you choose a pen test partner?↗

Follow your curiosity

A sharper view of security.

Explore the threats, techniques, and decisions shaping stronger defenses.

AI, exploits, stolen keys: a violet digital key breaking through a glass security boundary.

Application Security

PHP2Shell Response Guide: Beyond Matt Barnett’s NBC10 Interview

AI-generated editorial illustration of a stone financial building entrance with purple light and Philadelphia-style city architecture; not an actual bank facility.

Penetration Testing

Penetration Testing for Philadelphia Banks and Credit Unions: What to Ask Before You Hire

PHP Security Flaw: Is your website exposed? Matt Barnett on NBC10

Critical PHP Security Flaws: Matt Barnett on NBC10

Free Dark Web Risk Report for Your Organization

AI-generated editorial still life of groceries and a payment terminal at a supermarket checkout with purple accents.

SEVN-X’s Matt Barnett Returns to NBC10 to Explain Grocery Cyberattack Risks

AI-generated editorial image: Hospital IT security workstation with abstract purple dashboards and a clinical corridor beyond.

Best Dark Web Monitoring Services for U.S. Healthcare Providers

AI-generated editorial cover: PEN TEST. REAL ANSWERS. Choosing A Provider.

Penetration Testing

How Do You Choose an Enterprise Penetration Testing Provider in 2026?

Meta’s New Teen Social Media Safeguards: What Parents Need to Know | Matt Barnett on NBC10

Editorial cover: SCHOOL DATA. BEYOND THE PERIMETER. School Dark Web Threats.

The Complete Guide to School Dark Web Threats

Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union outage

Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union Outage: What Happened and What Members Should Do

7 Cybersecurity Priorities for Banks in 2026

SEVN-X on NBC10: Inside the New Jersey Water System Attacks

Dark Web Breach Prevention for Schools in 2026

AI-generated editorial image: Conceptual Atlantic City oceanfront conference setting at twilight with purple architectural lighting; not an event photograph.

Boardwalk Bytes 2026: SEVN-X Takes the Stage in Atlantic City

SEVN-X on NBC10: Inside a ClickFix Link Trap

Matt on NBC 10 | Canvas LMS Hacked: What Schools Must Do Now | SEVN-X

Editorial cover: AI SPEED. HUMAN DISCIPLINE. Cognitive Opsec.

What Is Cognitive OPSEC and Why Does It Matter in AI-Assisted Offensive Security?

Advisory Services

NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0: Prioritizing Your Remediation

Editorial cover: TRUST THE VENDOR? ASK FOR PROOF. Software Vendor Review.

Application Security

Trust But Verify: How to Evaluate Custom Software Vendor Security

Security Tools Are Not a Security Program

Editorial cover: TOO MANY ALERTS. NOT ENOUGH SIGNAL. Security Awareness.

Security Alert Fatigue: How to Build Awareness Programs that Actually Work

Editorial cover: BEFORE YOU TAP, VERIFY THE CHARGE. Ghost Tapping.

Security Awareness

Ghost Tapping

Editorial illustration: SECURITY STARTS HERE. Essential Controls.

Advisory Services

Foundational Cybersecurity Controls: The Security Checklist Every Organization Needs First

Security Awareness

Beyond the Click: Why Phishing Defense Needs More Than Awareness Training

Editorial cover: WHAT GOOD SECURITY LOOKS LIKE. Choosing A Provider.

How to Choose a Cybersecurity Vendor: What Good Looks Like

Editorial cover: FIRST ASSESSMENT? START HERE. Your First Assessment.

Advisory Services

Your First Security Assessment: What to Expect

Editorial cover: PHISHING IS A BUSINESS RISK. Phishing Prevention.

Phishing Prevention: A Business Problem, Not a User Problem

Editorial cover: FEWER GUESSES. SMARTER TESTING. Password Spraying.

Penetration Testing

Password Spraying Optimization

Editorial cover: SMALLER SCOPE. SMARTER PCI. Pci Dss Scope.

Advisory Services

PCI DSS Compliance Cheat Code

Incident Response

Incident Response 101: A Guide to the Cybersecurity Incident Response Process

Editorial cover: COMPLIANT. BUT SECURE? Security + Compliance.

Advisory Services

Security vs. Compliance: Why Treating Them the Same Creates Real Risk

Matt Barnett sits down with NBC10 to talk about the theft of personal information of PowerSchool’s customers, including students.

PowerSchool Data Breach Explained: 62M Students Exposed | SEVN-X

Cybersecurity Framework Assessments: Prioritizing Your Remediation

Advisory Services

Cybersecurity Framework Assessments: Prioritizing Your Remediation

Public library computers offline following a statewide ransomware attack in Delaware.

Ransomware Hits Delaware Public Libraries, are they safe?

Matt Barnett sits down with Doug Hepburn’s Money Matters TV to talk about the current trends and risks for organizations in cybersecurity as well as some tips and tricks to protect yourself against scammers.

Money Matters TV

Editorial illustration: WHO ELSE HAS A WAY IN? Supply Chain Security.

Securing the Supply Chain

Editorial cover: NIST RESULTS. NOW WHAT? Interpreting Your Results.

Advisory Services

NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0: Interpreting Your Results

Security Awareness

“Help Desk, how can I help you?”

Advisory Services

NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0: Recover | 2026 Update

Crowdstrike Bricks Windows

Security Awareness

Voice Cloning: The Rising Threat of Audio Deepfakes in Impersonation Scams

Advisory Services

NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0: Respond | 2026 Update

Editorial cover: BETTER RECIPES. SMARTER AUDITS. Password Cracking.

Penetration Testing

Cooking for Hashcat: Improving Old Recipes and Exploring New Ones

Advisory Services

NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0: Detect | 2026 Update

Advisory Services

NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0: Protect | 2026 Update

Advisory Services

NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0: Identify | 2026 Update

Advisory Services

NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0: Govern | 2026 Updated

AI-generated conceptual image of six purple glass modules connected around a central governance pillar.

Advisory Services

NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0: What’s New?

Advisory Services

NIST Cybersecurity Framework: What It Is, How It Works

Editorial cover: WHICH FRAMEWORK FITS YOUR RISK? Choosing A Framework.

Advisory Services

So Many Frameworks: Which Cybersecurity Framework Should Your Organization Use?

A smartphone with a deceptive text message and a protective purple shield.

Security Awareness

The Smish-and-Grab – Latest SMS & Phishing Trends in 2024

Editorial cover: BUILD A BETTER PASSWORD CRACKER. The Cracker Rig.

Penetration Testing

Building a Password Cracker Rig

Illustration of rising data-breach costs beside a protected server and magnifying glass.

Threats & Breaches

Surprising Stats 2023

Illustration of locked patient records and a purple shield in a hospital workstation.

Prospect Health (affecting Crozer Health) Ransomware attack

Editorial cover: PAUSE. VERIFY. THEN RESPOND. Social Engineering.

Security Awareness

Protect Yourself From Social Engineering

AI-generated editorial cover: MAKE RISK MAKE SENSE. Briefing The Board.

How To Communicate Cybersecurity To The Board: A CISO's Practical Guide

Illustration of weak password tiles breaking away beside a strong purple padlock.

Penetration Testing

Password Cracking 101

Illustration of a forensic scanner exposing a malicious driver within layered computer systems.

Threats & Breaches

Alphv (Blackcat) Using Malicious Windows Drivers

Editorial cover: A PROGRAM THAT LASTS. Security Governance.

Advisory Services

Security Governance for Small and Mid-Size Organizations: How to Build a Program That Lasts

Editorial cover: EXPERTISE CHANGES THE FIGHT. The Cyber Gap.

Pros vs. Joes: Battling The Cyber Gap

Zero Trust Security: What It Is and How to Start Building Toward It

AI-generated editorial illustration of cybersecurity professionals networking with the Philadelphia skyline in the background.

SecureWorld Philadelphia 2023

AI-generated editorial illustration of a public-safety operations room in charcoal, teal, and amber; not the actual Camden County facility.

Camden County Police Department Ransomware

AI-generated editorial photograph of an unbranded smartphone and SIM card on a dark desk with teal and amber lighting.

Boost Mobile Security Breach

AI-generated editorial photograph of a financial-services boardroom overlooking Manhattan in warm amber and graphite tones.

Advisory Services

New NYDFS Cybersecurity Regulations and How They Affect You

Editorial cover: 5 TOOLS ATTACKERS HATE. Defensive Controls.

Penetration Testing

5 Tools Attackers Hate in Corporate Environments

AI-generated editorial photograph of a hand beside a laptop showing an abstract neural pattern in forest teal and copper.

The Rise of A.I.

Editorial cover: ONE SSH SESSION. NEW PATHS. Ssh Port Forwarding.

Penetration Testing

SSH Port Forwarding

AI-generated editorial photograph of a shopper checking an unbranded laptop beside a parcel in natural daylight.

Security Awareness

Don't Be A Victim: Tips on Buying an Item Online

AI-generated editorial still life of an evidence envelope, laptop, and glass prism in teal and amber light.

The Dark Web Exposed Part 3

AI-generated editorial photograph of an ethernet patch panel with a blurred monitoring workstation in teal and copper light.

The Dark Web Exposed Part 2

Editorial cover: WHAT LIVES BELOW THE SURFACE? The Dark Web Exposed.

The Dark Web Exposed Part 1

Editorial cover: LONG. UNIQUE. BETTER PASSWORDS. Password Policy.

Security Awareness

Creating Better Passwords

Editorial cover: STOP REUSING PASSWORDS. Password Managers.

Security Awareness

The Most Essential Security Measure You're Not Taking

Editorial illustration: PHYSICAL TESTING. WHAT’S THE COST? Physical Security.

Physical Testing

Dollars and [Uncommon] Sense: The Cost of Physical Security Testing

AI-generated editorial photograph of an office badge reader and entrance at autumn dusk with warm interior light.

Physical Testing

Physical Security in Q4

AI-generated editorial still life of a magnifying glass reflecting an abstract search grid on a teal glass desk.

Changes to Google Search And What That Means For You

Editorial cover: THE GAP UNDER YOUR DOOR. Physical Security.

Physical Testing

Protect Yourself from the Under-the-Door Tool

AI-generated editorial photograph of a generic records office with the Philadelphia skyline beyond; not an actual incident scene.

Hackers Target Philadelphia Law Enforcement Officers

AI-generated editorial photograph of a studio interview microphone and headphones in warm tungsten and teal lighting.

Legal Robbery?!?

Editorial cover: INSIDE A PHYSICAL TESTING KIT. Field Kit / 2022.

Physical Testing

What's In My Physical Testing Field Kit 2022!

AI-generated editorial photograph of an unbranded round tracker beside a handbag and smartphone, illustrating unwanted-tracking awareness.

Apple AirTags Used to Stalk Victims

AI-generated editorial photograph of a calm desk with a closed laptop and four teal blocks, illustrating focused work and time away.

FOUR-X Day Work Week

AI-generated editorial image: Compact body-worn camera and a neatly labeled blank evidence notebook on a charcoal desk, purple rim lighting.

Physical Testing

Recording Physical Security Engagements

AI-generated editorial image: Macro of a server motherboard with one isolated glowing purple circuit path and a small magnifying lens.

Threats & Breaches

The Impact of the Log4j Vulnerability

AI-generated editorial image: Professional access badge, flashlight and field notebook arranged on dark fabric with understated lavender light.

Physical Testing

007x - Physical Security Tradecraft

Editorial cover: BREAK DOWN THE BREAK-IN. Physical Testing.

Physical Testing

Physical Security: Breaking Down the Break-in

AI-generated editorial image: Architectural glass access gates with one verified purple pathway and blocked alternate path, abstract cloud identity metaphor.

Penetration Testing

How to Bypass Azure Conditional Access

Editorial illustration: APFS. PRESERVE THE EVIDENCE. Digital Forensics.

Incident Response

Creating Forensic Images of APFS Drives

AI-generated editorial image: Industrial pipeline valves and control cabinet at twilight with restrained purple practical light.

Hacking the Pipeline ft. Brett Hodges of Cyberblack

Security Awareness

Social Media & Identity Theft

7 Steps to Secure Your Cloud

AI-generated editorial image: Cloud data-center GPU rack with neat purple cabling and a small unbranded hardware security key.

Penetration Testing

Building A Password Cracker in AWS

AI-generated editorial image: Macro keyboard and Linux-like abstract terminal screen, one small purple diagnostic light, no readable commands.

Threats & Breaches

Linux Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (CVE-2021-3156)

AI-generated editorial image: Disconnected network cable beside server rack and offline backup drive, calm incident recovery scene.

Threats & Breaches

The Other Pandemic: Ransomware

AI-generated editorial image: Shipping parcel, unbranded phone and payment card turned face down, purple ribbon on charcoal tabletop.

Security Awareness

Last Minute Shopping PSA

AI-generated editorial image: Unbranded phone with abstract suspicious message beside a sealed medical information envelope, no medicine claims.

Security Awareness

COVID-19 Vaccine Scams

AI-generated editorial image: Minimal shopping bag, laptop and hardware security key under daylight with purple paper accents.

Security Awareness

Shopping Black Friday and Cyber Monday Safely

Editorial cover: RANSOMWARE. LET’S TALK RESPONSE. Incident Response.

Incident Response

Let's Talk Ransomware

AI-generated editorial image: Email envelope sculpture separated from a protected data module by a clear glass boundary.

Phishing, Ransomware, Breaches: Protect Your Organization

AI-generated editorial image: Scientific laboratory bench with laptop and closed specimen containers, subtle purple lights, empty room.

Security Awareness

COVID-19 Vaccine and Research Scams

Editorial illustration: MFA ISN’T THE FINISH LINE. Account Security.

Security Awareness

Multifactor Authentication and You

AI-generated editorial image: Organized blank policy binder, risk register notebook and glass sphere in a refined purple-accented office still life.

Advisory Services

So, You're Curious About ISO 27001

Editorial cover: CMMC READINESS. START WITH YOUR CONTRACT. Cmmc Readiness.

Advisory Services

Losing Sleep Over CMMC? Read This.

AI-generated editorial image: Old unbranded beige desktop tower beside a modern locked archival storage drive, historical computing still life.

Threats & Breaches

Source Code for Windows XP, 2003, and More Leaked

Editorial cover: RESILIENCE IS A TEAM SPORT. Breach Resilience.

Building Breach Resiliency Through Collaboration

AI-generated editorial image: Empty home study desk with laptop, headphones and notebook, purple chair and warm daylight.

Security Awareness

Back to [Virtual] School

AI-generated editorial image: Close-up unbranded phone displaying abstract message bubbles and warning indicator, no readable words.

Security Awareness

Text Message Scams

AI-generated editorial image: Payment terminal and face-down blank payment card on a polished retail counter with purple reflections.

Advisory Services

PCI DSS: What It Is and What It Isn't

Editorial cover: ASSUME THE BREACH. TEST WHAT’S NEXT. Assumed-Breach Testing.

Penetration Testing

Stay Steps Ahead With Assumed Breach Testing

Editorial illustration: SAST OR DAST? YOU NEED BOTH. Application Security.

Application Security

To SAST, or to DAST, That is the Question

AI-generated editorial image: Precision inspection toolkit with magnifying lens, notebook and unbranded laptop on charcoal desk.

Penetration Testing

Deconstructing The Penetration Test

Massive Account Takeover @Twitter

AI-generated editorial image: Empty modern office reception and secure glass entrance at dusk, understated purple accents.

Physical Testing

Does Your Office Miss You?

Editorial cover: SECURITY IS A MOVING TARGET. The Security Race.

Advisory Services

The Great Security Race

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