Alexander Urbelis
Alexander Urbelis is an internationally recognized technology attorney and cybersecurity expert who is the general counsel and CISO of the Ethereum Name Service. In addition to his practice of law, Alex also served as the CISO of the NFL, is a member of the technology advisory board of Human Rights First, and is a professor of law at King's College, London. Alex's federal service includes positions within the Central Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Army JAG Corps, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. But most importantly, many of you know Alex as your favorite talking head on Off The Hook, and from his regular 2600 column "Artificial Interruption."
Sessions
This talk will explore the evolution of information warfare and the transformative impact of AI and quantum computing. It will examine recent disinformation campaigns and the exploitation of platforms like TikTok and Telegram. Key defensive strategies include AI-driven detection and robust cyber hygiene. Future scenarios involving hyper-reality, digital sovereignty, and the "3DCs" (Decentralization of Communication, Currencies, and Communities) will be discussed. Emphasizing ethical responsibilities and proactive defense, the session will aim to provide insights and tools to counteract emerging digital threats and protect the integrity of information in the evolving landscape of 2024 and beyond.
The Indian "hacker-for-hire" operation, Appin, obtained an order from a court in New Delhi that forced the global newswire Reuters to remove investigative reporting about Appin's criminal enterprise. Users of Appin's services included American lawyers, Russian oligarchs, and Scandinavian businesses, among others. With that court order from New Delhi, Appin's American lawyers demanded that other media outlets remove their reporting, and many have complied. Appin's lawyers issued threats to the Internet Archive, the New Yorker, various podcasts, and many others. Litigation between Reuters and Appin is ongoing. What threats can this case pose to free speech and the integrity of cyber threat research?
Developing technology within nonprofit organizations presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Unlike for-profit enterprises, nonprofits often operate with limited funding and resources, which necessitates a different approach to innovation and development. Jason has spent the last few years navigating this environment, and developing strategies that have come to inform how the Human Rights First Innovation Lab approaches technical work. This talk will explore the intricacies of creating impactful tech solutions in these settings, offering insights and strategies to navigate the constraints while maximizing positive outcomes.
