Jake Braun

Jake Braun, co-founder of DEF CON Franklin and former acting principal deputy national cyber director, discusses the vulnerabilities in our critical infrastructure, particularly water utilities. He explains how the pandemic increased cyber threats, necessitating volunteer efforts to bolster security. Braun emphasizes the need for civic engagement and shares insights from pilot programs aimed at helping utilities enhance their defenses. He also highlights the challenges small utilities face and encourages listeners to get involved and support these crucial initiatives.

Jake Braun, a longtime DEF CON organizer and former White House official, shares insights on Project Franklin, a mission to fortify U.S. water systems against cyber threats. The discussion highlights a major data leak linked to North Korean APT Kimsuky, declining ransomware payments in education, and Apple's new Memory Integrity Enforcement. Braun emphasizes community collaboration in tackling vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, while also shedding light on innovative privacy technologies that utilize Wi-Fi to identify individuals, raising intriguing privacy concerns.

Jake Braun, former White House Principal Deputy National Cyber Director and current Executive Director of the Cyber Policy Initiative at the University of Chicago, joins to discuss pressing cyber threats. They delve into the recent Oracle Health data breach, highlighting vulnerabilities in healthcare. The conversation shifts to the unique cybersecurity challenges in space, advocating for its designation as critical infrastructure. They also touch on the innovative tactics used by cybercriminals like the Lazarus Group and offer insights into strengthening defenses for startups.