I began my journey in digital forensics and incident response in 2008, fresh out of school, and it wasn’t something I deliberately chose—it chose me. What started as an unexpected path quickly became a calling that I have embraced wholeheartedly. While writing a bio has never been one of my talents, my passion for forensics and cybersecurity speaks for itself.
I co-founded DFIRLABS, a dream that my mentor, Jason Jordaan, and I brought to life. We set out to create something special in South Africa’s digital forensics and incident response space, and we did. Over the years, I’ve continued to deepen my expertise, becoming an active researcher and a regular speaker at conferences. I’ve been fortunate to share my work on some of the biggest stages, including the SANS DFIR Summit and DEF CON. Being a DEF CON Goon is a badge of honour that reflects my passion for community and my commitment to helping others grow in this field.
I am also love being involved in the Biohacking Village at DEF CON, where I started my journey into exploring the intersection of security and medical technology. Recently, I founded DC2751, a DEF CON group that focuses on the intersections of technology and security. My research dives deep into security vulnerabilities in medical devices within the Internet of Things (IoT), exploring how attackers might exploit them and what forensic clues we can gather from such incidents. Protecting those who rely on these devices is not just a professional focus—it’s a personal mission. That’s why I lead the medical research work with I Am The Cavalry, a security research group dedicated to safeguarding lives through better technology.
I love teaching Bachelor students and watching them grow as they prepare to enter the industry. Incorporating gamification into my courses is a particular joy, as I believe that learning can and should be interactive and engaging. My passion for malware analysis, especially ransomware, has been a driving force in my research, and I may be a little obsessed with Cerber ransomware in particular.
At heart, I am a forensicator, driven by a love for every bit, byte, and nibble of knowledge I can uncover. I believe in facing challenges head-on and have learned that with the right attitude, any obstacle can be overcome. I’ve come a long way, but my thirst for learning will never stop.
Never give in, never surrender—keep going, always.