Benjamin Franklin inspires defenders to protect critical infrastructure

TLDR:

• Benjamin Franklin’s creation of a volunteer fire department inspired two new projects to engage hackers in protecting critical infrastructure.
• The Franklin Project and UnDisruptable27 aim to enlist volunteer hackers to defend vulnerable sectors such as water systems and hospitals.

After a fire in Philadelphia in 1730, Franklin formed a volunteer fire department. Now, cybersecurity experts are drawing on that idea with the Franklin Project, led by Jeff Moss and Jake Braun, and UnDisruptable27, led by Josh Corman. Both projects aim to engage volunteer hackers in safeguarding critical infrastructure like water systems and hospitals. These sectors are vulnerable to cyber attacks and lack resources for robust defenses. The projects hope to match hackers’ skills with the needs of these sectors to prevent successful intrusions. The Biden administration has highlighted the severity of cyber threats to these sectors, but limited federal resources have hindered comprehensive cybersecurity measures. The projects aim to fill this gap by mobilizing civic-minded hackers to protect essential services.