Cyber Risk Series - From the Hacker’s Point of View

Episode 9: Cyber Risk Series – From the Hacker’s Point of View

What does cybersecurity look like from the opposition's point of view? With a long background in pen-testing (penetration testing) and extensive experience in security research and programming, Weston Hecker is a professional "white hat" hacker at Mission Secure, a firm focused on control system cybersecurity. An avid speaker on all things hacking, Weston is working on a major university's research project with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on 911 emergency systems and attack mitigation. In this episode, Weston shares insights into hacking oil rigs and how he's found cyber vulnerabilities in popular software and firmware systems from some of the world's leading technology companies. 

Listen now to the hacker’s point of view and learn why organizations working in the offshore oil and gas and maritime sectors must confront cyber as a growing threat to operations.

Discover more episodes in this Cyber Risk Series: https://bit.ly/2ywSHuG

About the Guest:
Weston Hecker is a cyber evangelist and ethical hacker with over a decade of pen-testing and 14 years of experience in cybersecurity research and programming. Weston works with organizations on their cybersecurity strategies, including leaders in the oil and gas, chemicals, maritime and defense sectors. A regular on the cybersecurity circuit, he has delivered over 50 presentations ranging from industry-leading events to regional conferences and universities. Notable events include Blackhat, Defcon, ISC2-Security Congress, SC-Congress, BSIDESBoston and TakedownCON. His work with universities includes projects and training such as the "Hacking Oil Rigs for Profit" event at the University of Houston and a major university project with DHS. Weston attended school in Minneapolis, where he studied Computer Science and Geophysics.

About the Host:
Ian Bramson heads the global cyber security organization at ABS Group of Companies, Inc. (ABS Group), where he works closely with senior executives across the maritime sector to help minimize their cyber security risks. For over 20 years, Ian has helped organizations adapt to their digital environments and solve business challenges related to industrial cybersecurity, risk management and digital transformation. He has built successful companies, global sales organizations and cybersecurity programs across multiple industries. Ian is a recognized thought leader and market developer in the emerging threat landscape of attacks on industrial operations and critical infrastructure. He has a bachelor’s degree in Economics and English from Cornell University.

ABS Group (www.abs-group.com) provides data-driven risk and reliability solutions, including industrial cybersecurity services, to help clients reduce risk and confirm the safety, integrity, quality and efficiency of their critical assets and operations. Headquartered in Spring, Texas, ABS Group operates with more than 1,000 professionals in over 20 countries serving the marine and offshore, oil, gas and chemical, government and industrial sectors. ABS Group is a subsidiary of ABS, one of the world's leading marine and offshore classification societies.


Produced by Nancy Dunnahoe and Oscar Diaz, Digital Communications at ABS Group