400G and 800G optics pack up to five times more repeater hops, vendor claims

Top news from Twist Bioscience including Invenra agreement, new products- next-generation library prep kits, biopharma in 2026, new ProLab partners, and more

Introduction: The Hack The Box P.O.O ProLabs environment replicates a modern Windows Active Directory infrastructure that requires orchestrating multiple offensive techniques from reconnaissance to full domain compromise. This simulated attack chain demonstrates how sophisticated threat actors pivot through enterprise networks, making it essential reading for defensive security professionals. Learning Objectives: Understand the complete attack chain from external reconnaissance to domain dominance…

Introduction: In the world of cybersecurity, Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) and platforms like Hack The Box (HTB) provide critical training grounds for ethical hackers. This article explores key techniques from a recent LinkedIn post discussing "Airport ownage" and HTB challenges, offering actionable commands, code snippets, and methodologies for penetration testers. Learning Objectives: Master OSINT techniques for reconnaissance. Leverage HTB ProLabs for advanced penetration testing.

The video focuses on Hack The Box (HTB), a cybersecurity training platform launched in 2017, initially offering vulnerable virtual machines (VMs) for legal penetration testing practice via browser-based access. HTB has evolved to include multiple components: Labs (active and retired machines, challenges, fortresses, and Prolabs for advanced scenarios), Academy (structured courses with tiered difficulty, from IT basics to Windows internals and Active Directory), and Sherlock (blue team incident response exercises). The platform uses a gamified ranking system (Noob to Omniscient) based on points, ownership percentage, and leaderboards, with first blood bonuses for early flag captures. HTB has expanded through acquisitions, integrating VulnHub and Cyber Defenders content, and now offers subscription tiers (VIP+, Silver/Gold Annual, and student plans for €8/month). Machines range from CTF-like challenges to realistic attack simulations, with some (e.g., Blackfield) serving as industry references for Active Directory testing. The discussion highlights HTB's utility for both offensive and defensive roles, though professional recognition depends on the employer's familiarity with the platform.

ProLabs will present its state-of-the-art optical solutions for networking during SC25, highlighting advancements that enhance AI and HPC environments.