Friday, July 12, 2024: 6:00 pm (Marillac Auditorium): This talk will provide insights into the shifting terrains of ransomware threats, focusing particularly on the rise of kinetic ransomware compared to conventional variants. Through research and analysis, the speakers will sound the alarm about an ominous and escalating trend: ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure and public utilities. They will explore the historical and present-day events, motivations, and ideologies driving these attacks, which include financial motivation and geopolitical agendas. The presentation will differentiate between nation-state-sponsored ransomware, conventional cyber-extortion, and hacktivism, acknowledging that while the first two may adopt hacktivist ideologies, it's not always a universal trait. Ultimately, this conversation underscores the vital importance of increased awareness, proactive defense strategies, and domestic collaboration necessary to protect against the growing threats endangering the way of life in the free world.

James Taliento (JT)

Guillermo Christensen

Matthew Leidlein

Ashley Rose