We don’t need a Cyber Moonshot; we’ve got enough already. Computing technology is enabling multiple concurrent revolutions, in biotechnology, manufacturing, robotics, AI, and literal rocket engineering. These are our Moonshots, fueled by governments, companies, and tinkerers, powering the growth engine of the global economy and reshaping society. Our futures, linked together, and dependent on the same vulnerable, exposed technology we cannot seem to safeguarded from deliberate attacks and indiscriminate accidents.
In one sense we are crash test dummies on untried rocketsleds; in another, we hold the capabilities for preservation within our own hands. The collective Infosec knowledgbase is fairly well understood, yet fairly poorly distributed. We may not know just how to succeed; but we know a lot about how to fail and what to avoid. We don’t lack fundamental science or engineering practices, we lack the will and incentives to do what we already know.
Beau Woods (@beauwoods) was one of the first people to hack a medical device (2008), won Best Mustache at Movember London (2013), evaded Russian Mafiosi near Moscow, hiked (did not summit) Mt. Everest in Winter, brought two Congressmen to DEF CON, and learned to throw a curve from a major league pitcher. Beau also helps lead I Am The Cavalry, holds a Fellowship with the Atlantic Council, is Founder/CEO of Stratigos Security, DEF CON Goon, Village organizer, BSidesLV staff, runs Hackers on the Hill, has a BS in Psychology from Georgia Tech, and lives in DC.