Meet Ryan Marston, commonly known as Totally_Not_A_Haxxer online, is a talented automotive cybersecurity enthusiast working at Blockharbor and has already become an author with 2 books released.
“I thought that if I could find vulnerabilities or even publish research for vehicles, then maybe I would get a chance at saving lives digitally and helping secure our streets”
According to Ryan, the insidious world of game hacking is an environment teeming with diverse skill sets encompassing mathematics, reverse engineering, exploit development, and more, finding it challenging to replicate the same engagement in other facets of cybersecurity.
Subsequently, a profound affinity for dissecting IoT devices, exemplified by smart TV modules, emerged.
This exploration led to the revelation that automobiles house an array of similar interconnected devices, while not akin to smart TVs, vehicles, even those dating back to the mid-2000s, harbor numerous distinctive systems within them.
His Journey into the cybersecurity world & Acquiring his hacking skills
“In summary, it was a long, stressful journey of breaking and building myself, and it still is to this day”
Ryan’s methodology is simple, essentially he takes advantage of the vast knowledge available through the internet, a tool accessible to everyone, since the 90s when the system introduced by Tim-Berners-Lee as “The World Wide Web” known by the public.
“Pretty much it was Google, and books”
Furthermore, he asserts in particular that those who consider age a factor are viewing the situation from an incorrect perspective.
Without a doubt, he has been trained by companies like Blockharbor who are specializing in vehicle cyber security, have been trained for years by mentors in the field, and been put through courses.
“Cybersecurity is mostly experience based, granted, there is a TON of learning”
In the talented teen’s perspective, accumulating knowledge from reading numerous books over a short period may not equate to the same level of skill or efficiency as someone with practical experience gained over a few years.
Drawing from personal encounters with scholars, PhDs, and individuals investing years in formal education, he observes instances where individuals without traditional degrees but dedicated to gaining hands-on experience in isolation surpass their formally educated counterparts in terms of performance, dedication, and intelligence.
His role models in the cybersecurity community
In the dynamic world of cybersecurity, he acknowledges two pivotal figures who have significantly influenced his journey.
The first, known by the nickname “Martian” in the cybersecurity community, played a transformative role in his teenage years, instilling humility and shaping him into the security researcher and speaker he is today.
Another influential mentor quite known in the field is David Colombo, who mentored him professionally, honouring presentation skills and fostering connections with influential figures in the field.
While other mentors remain undisclosed for privacy reasons, Ryan emphasizes that these guiding forces recognized potential in him that others overlooked, ultimately fueling his success in the cybersecurity world.
Contributions in the Automotive Cybersecurity Field
“The first lesson is that cyber security is not just about hacking systems – its about protecting them, its about law, implementing rules and regulations to protect our world”
In the realm of ethical hacking, there’s a crucial area called GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance), while his primary expertise or a field he is fully qualified to delve into at the moment, he identifies its importance in understanding ethical system penetration.
“if someone tells you that you should not waste your time on something, you should probably put your time into it”
On the other hand, Ryan encountered skepticism from many who deemed cybersecurity oversaturated, discredited the value of writing books, and dismissed the worth of replicating existing research.
According to this insightful perspective, the true measure of an endeavor’s worth lies in personal belief – if one deems it worthwhile, that is the only validation needed.
Becoming an author in Cybersecurity
“I could put this in one word – awesome”
Reflecting on his own book writing passion and after releasing 2 books on cybersecurity, Ryan explains that despite the existence of superior works, the satisfaction and exhilaration he experiences from publishing and holding his creations are unparalleled.
The tangible connection to readers, knowing the book will be in someone else’s hands, adds to the sense of fulfillment, as he describes.
Beyond this, the process serves as a personal gauge of knowledge, confirming true mastery when he can articulate a topic in his unique style.
Even a renowned author J.K. Rowling once shared her perspective on writing:
“I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see and what it means; What I want and what I fear.”
This quote reflects the introspective nature of writing and the profound connection authors have with their own thoughts and expressions, therefore this should encourage them to share their unique points of view.
Some Lessons Ryan Learned In The Cybersecurity Space
“There are many to list off, but the most memorable was the mental downfall”
Despite the unpreparedness for change, Ryan takes the occasion to share how this experience further enhanced his approach as a security researcher, presenting a unique understanding.
The challenge involved adapting and enduring the mental strain and hardships that accompanied this transformative journey in cybersecurity.
In fact reflecting on work, Arianna Huffington affirmed:
“Fearlessness is not the absence of fear. It’s the mastery of fear. It’s about getting up one more time than we fall down.”
Pursuing a career in cybersecurity
“Be knowledge hungry, because that will get you places”
Last but not least, to the young generation, Ryan conveys a message emphasizing the power individuals now hold through devices.
He encourages people to seize the opportunities for learning, consumption, and experience, despite the challenges and mental strain.
Most importantly, in a world where one Instagram post can impact millions, he underscores the importance of sharing positive outcomes encouraging users to co-work together.
Get his books here:
Carina Schuster is a multilingual tech and science editor for The London Financial & a podcast anchor and producer for SciTech Suisse, covering groundbreaking stories in the matter of disruptive technology developments and interviewing top experts in AI, the Metaverse, Web3, Blockchain and scientific research. Throughout her experience as a journalist in the editorial and digital worlds, she was selected by CNN Money Switzerland in 2020 as a digital producer intern and has demonstrated a collaborative and creative spirit, working alongside talented journalists and delivering impactful stories with the main aim of simplifying the complexity of technology.
You have a unique perspective that I appreciate.