Learn the rules: The hacker mindset

Microsoft Research manager Mike Walker traces a career from childhood tinkering and bulletin board systems through DEF CON Capture the Flag, DARPA’s Cyber Grand Challenge, and today’s AI-driven cyber defense. He explores why rules are social constructs built on trust, how offense and defense are dual-use, why tampering is often the easiest attack path, and why teams need social intelligence as much as technical skill.