Sessions:
Ransomware has emerged as a pervasive threat in recent years, wreaking havoc and causing millions in damages across global organizations. Its rampant proliferation shows no signs of slowing down, with a diverse range of perpetrators adopting it as a powerful tool for asset seizure and extortion. From criminal syndicates to activists and even sanctioned governments, ransomware is utilized for various nefarious purposes, including acts of cyber warfare.
However, this threat isn't novel; it draws eerie similarities to historical high seas piracy. In this talk, we will delve into the historical, economic, and geo-political parallels between modern ransomware cartels like DarkSide and Conti and the marauding pirates and privateers of the 17th and 18th centuries, offering insights into the evolution and implications of this digital menace.
Maggie MacAlpine
Maggie MacAlpine is the Director of Cybersecurity Partnerships and Cybersecurity Evangelism at Seceon Inc. Prior to this role she served as the Cyber Engagement Lead at MITRE Engenuity’s Center for Threat-Informed Defense, the Chief of Staff to the CSO Cybereason, co-founded the DEF CON Voting Village, and appeared in the HBO documentary, “Kill Chain”. She has discussed cybersecurity threats at numerous conferences including DEF CON, the Diana Initiative, ShmooCon Hacker Conference, PacSec Tokyo, as well as in presentations to Capitol Hill and the US Naval War College.
Sessions:
Ransomware has emerged as a pervasive threat in recent years, wreaking havoc and causing millions in damages across global organizations. Its rampant proliferation shows no signs of slowing down, with a diverse range of perpetrators adopting it as a powerful tool for asset seizure and extortion. From criminal syndicates to activists and even sanctioned governments, ransomware is utilized for various nefarious purposes, including acts of cyber warfare.
However, this threat isn't novel; it draws eerie similarities to historical high seas piracy. In this talk, we will delve into the historical, economic, and geo-political parallels between modern ransomware cartels like DarkSide and Conti and the marauding pirates and privateers of the 17th and 18th centuries, offering insights into the evolution and implications of this digital menace.
