Winnona

@winnona.bsky.social

@DistrictCon Founder. Hacker and attorney. @CyberStatecraft / @BelferCenter fellow, ex-Google threat research. Dog mom. Opinions=my own 👩🏻‍💻

Just one week late posting this after being snowed into the hotel for two days longer than planned. How lucky was I to help get something new(ish) off the ground in its second year amidst its second calamity and to help speakers showcase their work in the CFP and on the mainstage!

BildBild

DISTRICTCON IS STILL A GO! We are excited to see you all on Saturday, January 24 as we are still going through our normal programming! While we are unable to process refunds, we are adding virtual components to Saturday AND Sunday including a livestream for public sessions for ticket holders.

In early 2019 while at the German Parliament‘s Foreign Affairs Committee, I imagined this exact scenario: China using the rare earth supply chain to get fully visibility and self-reinforcing leverage. When urged to develop other sources, such as Malaysia (where I even went), Merkel gov did nothing.

German Firms Hand Over Secrets That China Could Use for Leverage

As German firms wrestle with new Chinese controls on rare earths, they are handing Beijing sensitive supply chain information it could potentially use to squeeze manufacturers or shut down production ...

bloomberg.com

I stopped by DistrictCon earlier this year, (no ticket) but was able to borrow a badge and such. The vibes were awesome, the people were great, and even with a multi-block power outage at the venue, they were still able to keep it going. I recommend this one in DC

DistrictCon@districtcon.bsky.social · last yr.

Our Call for Papers is officially OPEN! We are looking for - Hacking Magic 👾🪄 (cool research, novel TTPs, tool releases, etc.) - Policy Roundtable Topics ⚖️ (specific cyber topics focused on geopolitics, ethics, legal frameworks, governance, etc.) www.districtcon.org/cfp

How did China's top APT hackers come to be? Many were early "Honkers" - patriotic hackers who in late 90s launched low-skill cyberattacks against nations deemed disrespectful to China. But once Honkers developed their skills, PLA/MSS came calling. Based on great research by bsky.app/profile/eube...

How China’s Patriotic ‘Honkers’ Became the Nation’s Elite Cyber Spies

A new report traces the history of the early wave of Chinese hackers who became the backbone of the state's espionage apparatus.

wired.com

“alignment with CCP priorities offers privileged access to state resources, regulatory favor, and expanded commercial opportunities [to hackers]." NEW Phenomenal report on Chinese civil military fusion and cyber militias by Kieran Green: margin.re/mobilizing-c...

Mobilizing Cyber Power: The Growing Role of Cyber Militias in China’s Network Warfare Force Structure

This report examines how China’s cybersecurity industry fields reserve and militia units in support of the PLA and national mobilization system.

margin.re