Hackers Launch Franklin Project To Harden Infrastructure
Jake Braun, co-founder of the Franklin project and former homeland security advisor, says DEF CON’s Franklin project launched in 2024 and has enlisted 350 volunteers to harden critical infrastructure, including water systems. The group released the DEF CON 33 Hackers' Almanack summarizing research on AI-enabled offense, cybercrime takedowns, and tools to resist authoritarianism. Braun urges industry-wide AI security controls and greater hacker-government collaboration to protect infrastructure and civil liberties.
Key Points
- 1Enlists 350 volunteers to secure water facilities and releases DEF CON 33 Hackers' Almanack
- 2Highlights AI, cybercrime, and authoritarianism as unresolved, systemic threats requiring broader policy action
- 3Urges industry-wide AI security controls and hacker-government collaboration to protect infrastructure and freedoms
Scoring Rationale
High practical relevance and credible DEF CON reporting, limited by community focus and lack of peer-reviewed evidence.
Sources
Public references used for this report.
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