Presented at
DEF CON 32 (2024),
Aug. 9, 2024, 1 p.m.
(45 minutes).
The DEF CON community challenges the status quo, bringing a diversity of perspectives and ideas to identify hidden problems and solutions. While DARPA lays claim to the origin of the ARPANET/internet, vast communities of people with different interests created its novel components. The DARPA Cyber Grand Challenge helped launch the field of vulnerability detection and remediation and numerous DARPA Cyber Fast Track program performers continue to contribute to DEF CON.
What if current vulnerabilities all magically disappeared overnight and critical infrastructure were “safe and secure” for the time being. What would come next?
In this talk, Dr. Stefanie Tompkins will discuss the value of the hacker community and many of the contributions that have come from it, as well as the growth and synergy of the two communities. She’ll also explore the question of what comes next.
For a deeper dive into the real-world impacts of DARPA cyber technologies, Dr. Renee Wegrzyn, the inaugural director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), will join Stefanie and a moderator. They will discuss efforts that impact DEF CON areas of interest and inform ARPA-H work, from Cyber Fast Track to current work focused on securing and defending hospitals and the health tech ecosystem from cyberattacks.
Presenters:
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Dr. Renee Wegrzyn
- First Director at Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)
Dr. Renee Wegrzyn is the first director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). Bringing a wealth of experience from both the private sector and groundbreaking institutions like DARPA and IARPA, her leadership and vision continue to push the boundaries of health research and development. Dr. Wegrzyn's illustrious career has earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Superior Public Service Medal for her contributions at DARPA. She holds a Ph.D. and a bachelor's degree in applied biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and she further honed her expertise as an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow in Heidelberg, Germany.
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Peiter Zatko / Mudge
- Chief Information Officer at DARPA
as Peiter “Mudge” Zatko
Peiter “Mudge” Zatko is a distinguished scientist and cybersecurity expert with a career spanning significant roles in both public and private sectors. He returned to DARPA as the agency’s chief information officer in 2024. He previously was a program manager in both the Strategic Technology Office (STO) and Information Innovation Office (I2O). During his tenure in STO, Mudge was pivotal in developing DARPA’s Cyber Analytic Framework, which set a new standard in cybersecurity strategy. He later transitioned to I2O, where he continued to shape DARPA’s cyber initiatives.
Following his impactful career at DARPA, Mudge held key positions in industry, notably serving as corporate vice president of R&D at Motorola Mobility, deputy director at Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects division, and head of security and IT at fintech leader Stripe. Later, Mudge joined the executive team at Twitter, where he oversaw IT, infosec, global platform moderation and services, and corporate security/physical infrastructure.
Most recently, Mudge returned to the public sector as a Senior Government Executive and Senior Executive Service member, reporting to Director Jen Easterly at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency under the Department of Homeland Security.
Mudge holds a distinguished record of leadership and innovation in cybersecurity and technology, contributing significantly to both national security and private sector advancements.
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Dr. Stefanie Tompkins
- Director at Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
Dr. Stefanie Tompkins is the director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Prior to this assignment, she was the vice president for research and technology transfer at Colorado School of Mines.
Tompkins has spent much of her professional life leading scientists and engineers in developing new technology capabilities. She began her industry career as a senior scientist and later assistant vice-president and line manager at Science Applications International Corporation, where she spent 10 years conducting and managing research projects in planetary mapping, geology, and imaging spectroscopy. As a program manager in DARPA’s Strategic Technology Office, she created and managed programs in ubiquitous GPS-free navigation as well as in optical component manufacturing. Tompkins has also served as the deputy director of DARPA’s Strategic Technology Office, director of DARPA’s Defense Sciences Office – the agency’s most exploratory office in identifying and accelerating breakthrough technologies for national security – as well as the acting DARPA deputy director.
Tompkins received a Bachelor of Arts degree in geology and geophysics from Princeton University and Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in geology from Brown University. She has also served as a military intelligence officer in the U.S. Army.
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