Thrills and Skills at the UKAFWSA Slopestyle Final in Méribel

Original Entry by : Steve Tsirtsonis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last week, the UK Armed Forces Winter Sports Association (UKAFWSA) Slopestyle Final in Méribel delivered an incredible display of talent, courage, and relentless determination. Competitors from the Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force took to the slopes, pushing boundaries and showcasing the true spirit of adventure and camaraderie that defines military sport.

With daring aerial tricks, perfectly executed rail transitions, and an unwavering drive to excel, athletes from all three services battled it out on the demanding slopestyle course. The Royal Air Force emerged victorious, claiming both the men’s and women’s team titles, but the road to victory was anything but easy.  The Army and Royal Navy delivered some exceptional performances and kept the competition fierce throughout the final.

The event wasn’t just about podium finishes—it was about pushing boundaries, adapting to challenging conditions, and supporting fellow teammates and competitors. Every trick, turn, and landing reflected the discipline, resilience, and teamwork that military athletes bring to every challenge on the slopes and in service.

As a proud supporter of UKAFWSA, Endace congratulates every competitor who participated. The slopestyle final showcased the very best of military winter sports, and we’re excited to see how these incredible athletes continue to push the limits of what’s possible.

Watch the video

For more about what we do at Endace and how we’re driving innovation in network visibility and security, visit www.endace.com. 

Endace 2024/25 Internship Program Wraps Up

Original Entry by : Katrina Schollum

By Katrina Schollum, HR Manager, Endace

Our 12-week summer internship program at our R&D centre in Hamilton recently wrapped up for another successful year.  Four interns from different universities joined us, working on individual projects, gaining industry experience, and seeing the commercial relevance of their achievements.

Showcasing Success

The last day of the program is Presentations Day. Our interns presented the results of their projects to a live audience in Hamilton, NZ, and the presentations were also streamed live to the global Endace team.

Endace 2024/2025 Interns

Despite a few well-hidden nerves, our interns did a fantastic job—providing insight into their individual journeys, outlining the objectives of their projects, talking about some of the challenges they faced and overcame, and demonstrating the solutions they built. Each presentation concluded with suggestions from the interns on how their projects could be further enhanced to provide additional benefits to the business. There was also a live Q&A session where the interns did a great job fielding a variety of questions from the audience.

Program Highlights

It is rewarding to see the growth of our interns as they build on their technical skills in a professional setting. Endace’s Intern Program gives them invaluable insight into how a global tech business operates. It’s a great opportunity to put their university knowledge into practice, further develop their technical skills, and learn about teamwork in a collaborative environment. They also gain exposure to all areas of our business, from operations and finance to sales and marketing.

The benefits of the program flow in both directions. Each Intern is supported by a dedicated manager and mentor, who also benefits from sharing their knowledge and expertise to guide the projects and help interns transition from studying to the workplace.

“Being a mentor for the interns was a challenging but also incredibly rewarding journey. It was an honour to be allowed to help them grow from overwhelmed newcomers to developers competently progressing their project” said Norbert Abel, our mentor from the Firmware team.

Feedback from our interns at the end of the program was very positive. Our interns were motivated by the projects’ real-world implications. They learned a lot and felt well supported in achieving their project goals.

Equipped with new skills and hands-on experience, we look forward to following our interns’ future achievements. We are proud to continue our strong tradition of working closely with tertiary education providers to ensure Endace remains an employer of choice for IT and engineering graduates in New Zealand.

We’re Back on the Slopes: Continuing Our Journey with UK Armed Forces Winter Sports

Original Entry by : Steve Tsirtsonis

 

We’re thrilled to announce that we’re back to the slopes this February to continue our tradition of sponsoring the Slope Style Snowboarding competition at the UK Armed Forces Winter Sports Association (UKAFWSA) event. This incredible event, set in the breathtaking resort of Meribel, France, is always a highlight of our year.

For several years now, we’ve had the privilege of supporting this showcase of talent, where the best athletes from across the UK Armed Forces come together to compete in a variety of winter sports. The Slope Style Snowboarding competition, in particular, never fails to inspire us. The creativity, skill, and sheer determination these athletes bring to the table remind us of the qualities we value at Endace – innovation, precision, and resilience.

Our CEO, Stuart Wilson, says, “We are honoured to continue our sponsorship of the UK Armed Forces Winter Sports Association. This partnership reflects our admiration for the dedication and teamwork demonstrated by these incredible athletes. Supporting the Slope Style Snowboarding competition aligns with Endace’s ethos of excellence and our commitment to empowering individuals and organisations to perform at their best, whether on the slopes or in the world of cybersecurity.”

One of the things we love most about the UKAFWSA event is how it brings service personnel together. It’s not just about the competition; it’s about camaraderie, pushing limits and building lasting friendships. By continuing our sponsorship, we’re proud to show our ongoing support for the incredible people in the Armed Forces and the values they represent – discipline, innovation, and teamwork.

We’ll be on the ground in Meribel again this year, cheering on these extraordinary athletes and celebrating everything that makes this event so special. It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do.

We can’t wait to see you there!

For more about what we do at Endace and how we’re driving innovation in network visibility and security, visit www.endace.com. 

HMS Oardacious Valkyries: Conquering the Atlantic

Original Entry by : Steve Tsirtsonis
The victorious Oarsome Valkyries cross the finish line. Congratulations team!!
The victorious Oarsome Valkyries cross the finish line. Congratulations team!!

What a journey! The HMS Oardacious Valkyries have done it—they’ve completed their epic trans-Atlantic row, and we couldn’t be prouder of their incredible achievement. This isn’t just about crossing an ocean. It’s about pushing limits, overcoming the odds, and proving what sheer determination and teamwork can achieve.

The Challenge They Faced

Rowing across the Atlantic isn’t a Sunday paddle on the lake. More than 3,000 miles of open ocean stood between them and their goal. Endless waves, relentless sun, exhaustion, and storms—this journey was as much a mental challenge as it was physical. Yet, the Valkyries tackled it head-on, one stroke at a time.

From moments of elation as they spotted dolphins swimming alongside the boat, to the gut-checking reality of sleep deprivation and sore muscles, every day brought new highs and lows. But the Valkyries were unstoppable.

The Spirit of the Valkyries

This challenge wasn’t just about adventure—it was about representing the best of what it means to serve. The HMS Oardacious Valkyries rowed not just for themselves but to inspire others and raise awareness for mental health within the Armed Forces. They’ve shown us all what courage, resilience, and teamwork look like in action.

Why Their Journey Matters

At its heart, this journey is about more than crossing an ocean. It’s about taking on a challenge that most of us wouldn’t dare to dream of and proving that with the right mindset, anything is possible.

Their journey reminds us that no matter how rough the seas (literally and figuratively), you keep rowing. Their determination, teamwork, and refusal to give up are an example to us all.

Celebrating the Finish Line

As the Valkyries rowed into Antigua, they not only crossed the finish line, they joined a select group of individuals who’ve conquered one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges. And they did it with courage, purpose, and no shortage of grit.

We salute you. Your journey inspires us to face our own challenges head-on, no matter how big or small.

What’s Next for the Valkyries?

We can’t wait to hear more stories—from their toughest moments to the most magical ones. Whether it’s tales of battling monstrous waves or the bonds forged during the darkest nights, we know their journey will inspire us all to think bigger and push harder.

To the HMS Oardacious Valkyries: Congratulations on your incredible feat. You’ve not only rowed an ocean—you’ve shown us the power of resilience, camaraderie, and determination.

For more about what we do at Endace, visit www.endace.com. 

Endace 2024/25 Internship Program Begins

Original Entry by : Katrina Schollum

By Katrina Schollum, HR Manager, Endace

The Endace Summer Internship program has been a great success in previous years, and we are excited to announce its return for another year! This summer, we are delighted to welcome four talented interns to our R&D centre in Hamilton, NZ, after receiving an incredible amount of interest from students across New Zealand. We look forward to supporting our new interns as they progress through the program.

Induction Day

The first day of the program is all about introducing our interns to “Life at Endace” and how we work.

Our interns learned about Endace’s history and our innovative products and began building strong connections with their mentors and managers. The day included opportunities to engage with senior managers, gain insight into their roles and projects, and network with members of the engineering team over lunch. It’s safe to say our interns had plenty to absorb and are excited for the journey ahead.

As part of the induction, our interns participated in the team-building activities with their mentors. One of our new mentors, Joel Shepherd —himself a former intern — shared his enthusiasm for the program:

“Being an intern at Endace was a great way to start my career, providing an opportunity to experience what it is like to work in the industry. It helped extend my knowledge beyond what I could learn at university in a relatively short time. Now, as a mentor, I’m thrilled to provide the same opportunity I once received and to see how much our new interns will learn and achieve over the summer.”

It’s amazing to see the full cycle, as previous interns become employees and eventually become mentors themselves, creating a pipeline of talent development at all levels.

Our Program

Over the course of 13 weeks, the intern program focuses on commercially relevant, individual projects and provides structured training including sessions with Endace’s leadership team members about the broader business, presentation skills training, and professional development, creating a well-rounded experience. The program ends with the interns presenting their individual projects.

Endace is proud of our ties to tertiary education and is committed to developing talent for IT and Engineering students aspiring to join our industry positioning Endace as an employer of choice. By providing hands-on experience and intentional learning opportunities, we give students the chance to build technical capabilities while gaining insight into how a global tech organisation operates.

We’re excited to support our new interns as they continue to learn and develop, and look forward to celebrating their future achievements.

Endace Packet Forensics Files: Episode #59

Original Entry by : Michael Morris

Michael talks to Matt Bromiley about the importance of packet capture in threat hunting and how AI can improve detection and response.

By Michael Morris, Director of Global Business Development, Endace

Michael Morris, Director of Global Business Development, Endace

With limited network visibility and overwhelming data volumes, organizations struggle to detect and respond to advanced cyber threats.  

In this episode of the Endace Packet Forensics Files, I talk with Matt Bromiley, a veteran in threat hunting and incident response. With over a decade of experience and a role as a SANS instructor, Matt brings a wealth of practical knowledge to our discussion.

Matt highlights the importance of robust detection and response systems before beginning any threat hunt. He explains that even when a hunt doesn’t yield immediate results, the insights gained are invaluable for understanding the security landscape. Matt points out that proactive threat hunting is about deeply understanding network traffic, which offers significant advantages over more traditional reactive approaches.

During our conversation, Matt emphasised network packet data’s critical role in cybersecurity. He describes it as the “glue” that ties together various pieces of evidence, providing a comprehensive view of any potential attack. According to Matt, analyzing decrypted traffic and DNS logs is essential for uncovering hidden threats that might remain undetected.

Matt talks about the challenges of threat hunting, particularly when dealing with large volumes of packet data and navigating legal constraints. He stresses the necessity of having a skilled team and the right tools to manage these challenges effectively. He also shares his insights on the growing role of AI in threat hunting, predicting that it will increasingly help automate routine tasks, freeing up analysts to focus on more complex threats.

Matt’s expertise underscores the importance of a proactive approach, a deep understanding of network data, and the use of the right tools to stay ahead of cyber threats.

Don’t miss this insightful episode, where Matt provides actionable advice for enhancing your threat-hunting capabilities and strengthening your cybersecurity defenses.  

Follow Matt on Linkedin

Other episodes in the Secure Networks video/audio podcast series are available here. Or listen to the podcast here or on your favorite podcast platform.

Endace Packet Forensics Files: Episode #58

Original Entry by : Michael Morris

Michael talks with Stephen Donnelly about the importance of packet capture in cloud environments.

By Michael Morris, Director of Global Business Development, Endace

Michael Morris, Director of Global Business Development, Endace

In this episode of the Endace Packet Forensics Files, I talk with Stephen Donnelly, CTO of Endace, about why packet capture is essential in cloud environments. He shared an amusing anecdote about an executive claiming, “Cloud doesn’t have packets.” While humorous, it highlights a misunderstanding of cloud technology. Even though cloud networks are more abstract, they still rely heavily on network packets, just like traditional on-premises systems.

Why Packet Capture Matters in the Cloud

There are two main reasons why packet capture is as important in the cloud as it is on-premises:

  1. Network Operations: Packet data is crucial for diagnosing and troubleshooting issues like slow network speeds, downtime, and performance problems. Without packet capture, it becomes difficult to identify and resolve network challenges, even in cloud environments.
  2. Security: Cloud environments face the same security threats as traditional networks. Packet capture plays a vital role in security operations, including detecting threats, incident response, and maintaining overall security. “DEATH” (Detection Engineering and Threat Hunting) emphasizes the need for proactive security in cloud environments.
How to Capture Packets in the Cloud

Several methods exist for capturing packets in cloud environments, each with its own advantages and challenges:

  • Port Mirroring Services: Many cloud providers offer services that allow traffic from virtual machines or containers to be captured. However, these services often come with limitations, such as performance impacts and visibility gaps.
  • Cloud Packet Brokers: These tools use software agents installed on virtual machines to capture and forward traffic. While useful, this method can consume additional CPU and network resources.
  • In-line Devices: Firewalls and routers can mirror traffic for packet capture, but cloud-based devices may not offer all the features of their physical counterparts, requiring thorough research.
Conclusion

Capturing packets in the cloud brings challenges, including performance impacts, visibility gaps, and costs. These factors should be carefully considered when developing a packet capture strategy.

The belief that packet capture isn’t needed in cloud environments is a myth, and a dangerous one. Packet capture is just as important in the cloud as it is in traditional networks. It provides the visibility and security needed to effectively manage and protect cloud environments. As more organizations move to the cloud, the need for strong packet capture solutions only increases.

Endace Packet Forensics Files Ep 58 Thumbnail

Follow Stephen on LinkedIn

Other episodes in the Secure Networks video/audio podcast series are available here. Or listen to the podcast here or on your favorite podcast platform.

Encouraging Women in Tech

Original Entry by : Endace

For the past two years, Endace has proudly offered two Women in Tech Scholarships per year to outstanding University of Waikato students,  supporting the future of our industry by encouraging more women to pursue careers in technology.

“Endace is proud to empower young women to succeed in tech,” says Endace CEO, Stuart Wilson.  Two of our past winners (shown in the image ) have participated in our internship program and continue to contribute at Endace while pursuing their studies.  It’s inspiring to see what they’ve accomplished.

 Words from our Winners

Our scholarship recipients have shared their gratitude and experiences:

    • “I’m incredibly grateful for this scholarship. It’s amazing to see a company like Endace committed to supporting women in tech. I’m honoured to have been chosen.” – Emily (Year 1 Winner)
    • “This scholarship has significantly supported my studies, allowing me to graduate without financial worries. Endace’s initiatives are making a real difference in encouraging women to pursue degrees in technology.” – Rafeea (Year 2 Winner)

The four winners have excelled academically and are active, positive members of their student communities.

Looking Ahead

Our winners are excited about their future careers.  Rafeea is passionate about embedded systems and 3D web and VR development.  Year 2 winner, Hannah is heading to Melbourne, Australia to compete in the Formula-SAE Australasia for her honours project, saying, “Winning the Endace Woman in Tech scholarship has been a great opportunity that is allowing me to further my technical ability and life experiences.”

Year 1 scholarship winner Abbie remarked, “Support like this will go a long way to encouraging more women to enter technology.” We look forward to seeing our winners thrive in their careers and are committed to continuing our support for women in tech.

Continuing the Journey

At Endace, we’re passionate about creating opportunities and are committed to helping the next generation of women succeed in tech. We’re excited to keep supporting talented women through our scholarship program and look forward to seeing them make a real impact in the industry.