DEF CON Franklin
DEF CON Franklin is an effort started in 2024[1] to help cybersecurity professionals with water utilities across the United States to help them defend against cyberattacks.[2][3] The name is an homage to Benjamin Franklin who founded the country's first all-volunteer fire department.[4][3] Water utilities were identified as being particularly vulnerable, with a 2023 report identifying 70% as not meeting basic cybersecurity standards.[4] Threats include nation-state actors like China, Russia and Iran with political objectives such as the ability to disrupt the functioning of hospitals and military bases reliant on rural water systems during a conflict[3][1] as well as hackers hoping for a ransom payout.[5] Assisting K-12 education institutions was also an early goal in August 2024.[6] Volunteers are from the annual DEF CON conference, University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and Craig Newmark Foundation.[5]
Jeff Moss and Jake Braun are co-founders.[5] The initiative started with volunteers but started expanding into offering a managed security service provider (MSSP) model led by Tarah Wheeler tailored to rural water utilities.[2] The effort has been partnering with the National Rural Water Association that also provides assistance to rural utilities.[2] Other partners include the Cyber Resilience Corps, Aspen Digital, the American Water Works Association, Cyber Solarium 2.0, Red Queen Security, UnDisruptable27 and Dragos.[3] The initiative is housed at the Harris Cyber Policy Initiative at the University of Chicago, where Braun is the director.[2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 Thomson, Iain (2024-11-24). "Volunteer DEF CON hackers get ready to secure US water". theregister. Retrieved 2026-09-02.
- 1 2 3 4 Greig, Jonathan (December 24, 2025). "Cyber volunteer effort for small water utilities announces new MSSP effort". therecord.media. Retrieved 2026-09-02.
- 1 2 3 4 Lyons, Jessica (2025-08-10). "DEF CON hackers plug security holes in US water systems". theregister. Retrieved 2026-09-02.
- 1 2 "An army of volunteer hackers to help protect American water systems, schools". NBC News. 2024-08-09. Retrieved 2026-09-02.
- 1 2 3 McLaughlin, Jenna (2025-09-20). "Flushable wipes and Iran: Water treatment facility adds cyberattacks to worry list". NPR. Retrieved 2026-09-02.
- ↑ Vigliarolo, Brandon (2024-08-12). "DEF CON launches public policy report, volunteer program". theregister. Retrieved 2026-09-02.