DEF CON Franklin

Water utilities partner with technologists to stave off cyber attacks in our pilot program! @DefConFranklin @nrwa and @defcon are excited to announce that we’re onboarding 6 utilities across 4 states that the #CyberVolunteer Task Force will help protect harris.uchicago.edu/news-events/ne…

It was great to host the first-ever AI+Elections Bootcamp for Midwest election officials at @HarrisPolicy, alongside organizers Ready for Tuesday and the @ASU Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory! As Franklin co-founder Jake Braun said, "election officials need to prepare themselves for emerging threats that are compounded by AI, because they aren’t stopping anytime soon." #CyberCivilDefense #Take9 Read more here: harris.uchicago.edu/news-events/ne…

What happened in the latest Canvas attack? How does AI exacerbate the threat of ransomware for critical infrastructure entities? Why aren't current law enforcement measures working as well as they should? If you're looking for answers, watch this interview with our co-founder Jake on @ABC7Chicago. abc7chicago.com/post/canvas-ha… #CyberCivilDefense #Take9

Not every water utility can afford cyber services, but all of them need to boost digital defenses. Now, the Cyber Resilience Corps (including DEF CON Franklin) is listed as a key resource in CISA’s new CI Fortify Initiative. #CyberCivilDefense #Take9 cltc.berkeley.edu/2026/05/14/cyb…

#UnDisruptable27 is testifying in front of Congress! @IST_org's @JoshCorman joins a @HouseScience hearing with fellow #U27 volunteers to share lessons learned in building resilience of U.S. water systems. Tune in on May 19 and follow IST for the link! #CyberCivilDefense #Take9 securityandtechnology.org/event/hearing-…

The Canvas cyberattack is a reminder that educational institutions’ sensitive data and reliance on just a few technology vendors can make them especially vulnerable to cyberattacks: kqed.org/news/12082895/… #CyberCivilDefense #Take9

A network of programs collaborating and sharing intelligence can be a force multiplier for a state’s investment in local cyber defense. @CLTCBerkeley's new guide, “Save Money, Build Talent, and Defend Communities: A Whole-of-State Cybersecurity Guidebook,” explores three models leading this shift: cybersecurity clinics, regional security operations centers (RSOCs), and state cyber corps. You’ll find first-of-its-kind data on the economic value and ROI of these programs, with some delivering cyber services worth up to 747% of their operating costs: an 8x return on every dollar invested. Read the guidebook: cltc.berkeley.edu/publication/st… #CyberCivilDefense #Take9

Thanks to @ArizonaDEQ and the Rural Water Association of Arizona for inviting us to present at the annual Rural Water Association of Arizona conference! It was great to connect with water and wastewater system operators on the ground. We shared resources, talked about common cyber measures, and outlined why exactly cyber matters in this moment. #CyberCivilDefense #Take9

Scams are becoming more common and getting harder to detect. Sign up for @AspenPolicyAcad’s free, virtual Scam Fighter Workshops and learn how to advocate to your government for stronger cybersecurity. Check out their upcoming trainings on 5/21 and 6/18: bit.ly/4rQQ7oR

New AI models like Anthropic’s Mythos are accelerating digital threats, thereby increasing the pace at which organizations need to improve cybersecurity. What questions should leaders be asking themselves today to ensure their organizations are better prepared for the online threats of tomorrow? Learn more about protecting your organization from evolving cyber threats: aspendigital.org/blog/cybersecu…

@CLTCBerkeley released their CyberCAN Washington report: cybersecurity challenges for WA nonprofits and guidance on how to address them. Read it here: cltc.berkeley.edu/publication/cy… #CyberCivilDefense #PublicInterestCybersecurity #Take9

ICYMI: NRWA released "Rural Water's Ripple Effect: National Security, Cyber Threats, and the Future of Water," a policy paper analyzing how the Water Sector workforce is a critical component of national security. Read the paper here 👉 nrwa.pulse.ly/ux3zpofqke

"Iran has already targeted American water systems. It will do so again. The only question is whether all the default passwords will be changed before they strike." Check out this op-ed by Franklin co-founder Jake Braun, on why U.S. infrastructure is vulnerable to hacks, and why Iran (and other adversaries) know it all too well. washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/… #CyberCivilDefense #Take9

@ist latest report gives a readout of a #ransomware tabletop exercise with partners from the International Counter Ransomware Initiative at the fifth summit this spring. How can governments and private industry work together to combat #cyber threats? securityandtechnology.org/virtual-librar… #CyberCivilDefense #Take9

🚨 NEW BRIEF: AI is both a target and a tool for attackers. The cloud infrastructure it runs on doesn’t have the vulnerability management regime to match. New CSI brief on what needs to change. atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-resea…

DEF CON meets #MCSC2026. What does it take for civil society, individuals, and at‑risk communities to strengthen their technical agency in a digital ecosystem dominated by large platforms? Watch the session here: youtu.be/hkIaf5qStFA?si…

This week during @OneRSAC, our cofounder Jake Braun joined @thecyberwire’s Maria Varmazis to talk about the recently released DEF CON 33 Hackers’ Almanack. Jake and Maria also discussed public-private partnership gaps in cybersecurity and the work DEF CON Franklin does to protect our water systems. 🔈Listen to the full episode here: thecyberwire.com/podcasts/daily… 👉Read DEF CON 33 Hackers’ Almanack here: harris.uchicago.edu/sites/default/… #CyberCivilDefense #Take9 #HackersAlmanack

This week during @OneRSAC, our cofounder Jake Braun joined @thecyberwire’s Maria Varmazis to talk about the recently released DEF CON 33 Hackers’ Almanack, an unvarnished report translating the most consequential vulnerabilities disclosed by the global hacker community into plain language for policymakers, security leaders, and the public. Jake and Maria talked public-private partnership gaps in cybersecurity, preventing digital genocide, and the work DEF CON Franklin does to protect our water systems. 🔈Listen to the full episode episode here: thecyberwire.com/podcasts/daily… 👉Read DEF CON 33 Hackers’ Almanack here: harris.uchicago.edu/sites/default/… #CyberCivilDefense #Take9 #HackersAlmanack

What were the motivations behind the wiper attack on #Stryker? How does it compare to previous incidents? How do we respond? @IST’s latest webinar breaks down last week’s cyber attack and offers best practices for at-risk orgs. Read the recap: securityandtechnology.org/blog/the-fight… #CyberCivilDefense #Take9

Mark your calendars! The dates for the 2026 Cyber Civil Defense Summits, co-hosted by @CLTCBerkeley and state partners, are finally here! Sign up to hear when registration opens: cybercivildefensesummit.org #CyberCivilDefense #CyberResilienceCorps #Take9