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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 2d

Hear @powa-sec.bsky.social on the Cyber Defenders Podcast talking about the Roadmap to Community Cyber Defense, and how cyber experts can work with state and local governments to protect our community organizations. #CyberCivilDefense #Take9 limacharlie.io/podcast?wcha...

The SecOps Cloud Platform

limacharlie.io

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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 2d

#CyberResilienceCorps #CyberCivilDefense #Take9

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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 2d

A recent SIM farm bust of ~100k SIMs near the UN shows how telecom is now a major national security risk. As Jake notes, addressing this requires “better info sharing, better detection tools, and no more SMS for sensitive logins.”
www.thecipherbrief.com/telecom-bust...

Telecom Bust Near the UN Reveals New National Security Vulnerability

Experts warn the takedown underscores a blind spot in U.S. defenses: telecom networks as contested terrain in hybrid conflict.

www.thecipherbrief.com

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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 4d

🛡️ Everyone can protect their communities from cyber threats. #CyberCivilDefense

Join @aspenpolicyacademy.bsky.social new #CyberCivicEngagement training, developed with support from @craignewmark.bsky.social

📅 Oct 23 & Nov 20 | Free & Virtual
🔗 Register: aspenpolicyacademy.org/cyber-civic-...

Cyber Civic Engagement - Aspen Policy Academy

Check out our new training program that transforms individuals into effective cybersecurity policy advocates.

aspenpolicyacademy.org

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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 7d

4/ Christian's experience includes penetration testing, securing cloud and industrial control environments, and supporting risk-management and vulnerability-assessment efforts.

#CyberCivilDefense #CyberResilienceCorps #Take9

projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 7d

3/ Bio: Christian is President of DC256, the largest DEF CON group in Alabama. He is also Co-Ambassador of Huntsville Hack The Box, the only Hack The Box community meetup in the state focused on hands-on hacking and defense training.

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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 7d

2/ Christian shares why the DEF CON Franklin community means so much: "Being part of a community where water utility staff and hackers collaborate makes volunteering especially meaningful."

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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 7d

1/ Volunteer Spotlight Series:
Our volunteer spotlight series kicks off with Christian Clark!

Christian is passionate about bringing hacker expertise to strengthen water system security. 🥤💻 #CyberCivilDefense #Take9

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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 17d

3/ That’s why we're mobilizing volunteers nationwide: to help small & rural utilities defend their systems for free.

Learn more at defconfranklin.com

#CyberResilienceCorps #CyberCivilDefense #Take9 #DEFCONFranklin

DEF CON Franklin

defconfranklin.com

projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 17d

2/ Even the smallest towns in America are targets for adversaries. As founder Jake Braun says, "We talk to folks, and they're like wait, why would anybody want to hack us?... I think (with) all the news about water utilities being hacked, they're coming around pretty quick.”

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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 17d

1/💧New from @npr.org:

Cybersecurity isn’t just a big-city problem. Small and rural water systems are under threat of attack, and programs like
Franklin and the #CyberResilienceCorps are helping towns like Cavendish, VT. #CyberCivilDefense #Take9

Read here: www.npr.org/2025/09/08/n...

How a small Vermont town is protecting its water from hackers

NPR's Jenna McLaughlin got an inside look at how one small Vermont town is protecting its water from hackers.

www.npr.org

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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 22d

7/ “Like Franklin’s fire brigades saved cities from burning, we can stop cyberattacks before they poison our water.” — Jake Braun
👉 Learn more / get involved: defconfranklin.com
#CyberResilienceCorps #CyberCivilDefense #Take9 #DEFCONFranklin

DEF CON Franklin

defconfranklin.com

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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 22d

6/ Jake’s ask to water system operators at #WaterPro:
• Sign up with your water system
• Tell a neighboring utility
• Share your biggest cyber pain points
• Help spread the word so Congress & funders move now

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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 22d

5/ Franklin is already active in IN, OR, UT, VT with solid reviews - and we’re expanding to even more states and utilities with our new nationwide model for water cybersecurity:

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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 22d

4/ Think Ben Franklin’s first volunteer fire brigades, but for water cybersecurity: trained volunteers matched with utilities, focused on practical basics first (MFA, backups, passwords), then scaling up.

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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 22d

3/ Enter @projectfranklin.bsky.social
: a partnership between
NRWA, University of Chicago Harris Cyber Policy Initiative, and
@defcon.bsky.social
to boost cyber resilience at water utilities for free.

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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 22d

2/ Most small & rural systems don’t have full-time cybersecurity staff. Waiting for funding and hiring to catch up could take years. Communities need protection now.

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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · 22d

1/ 💧 At the #WaterPro25 Conference, DEF CON Franklin founder Jake Braun laid it out plainly: America’s 50,000 water systems keep families safe—but hackers, ransomware gangs, and even foreign adversaries are targeting them.

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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · Sep 10

“I’m the only door between the Iranians and our water system.”

Powerful reporting by @npr.org @jennamclaughlin.bsky.social on how Franklin - and volunteer Tim Pappa - are stepping in to help water operators defend against foreign cyber threats. #CyberCivilDefense #Take9

www.npr.org/2025/09/08/n...

Inside one town's efforts to prevent cyberattacks at water treatment plant

NPR gets an inside look at how one small Vermont town is protecting its water plant from hackers.

www.npr.org

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projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · Sep 5

💧 What do DEF CON Franklin volunteers actually do?
🔹 Tier 1: Cyber basics (passwords, MFA)
🔹 Tier 2: OT inventory, account securement, malware defense
🔹 Tier 3: Ongoing monitoring & remediation
Free help. Real impact. 👉 defconfranklin.com #CyberCivilDefense

DEF CON Franklin

defconfranklin.com

projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · Sep 4

City systems in St. Paul went down after a cyberattack & recovery took days.
For small water utilities, the risks are even higher. Don’t let this happen to you. The Cyber Resilience Corps & DEF CON Franklin can help keep your taps safe. #Take9
www.govtech.com/security/st-...

St. Paul, Minn., Systems Come Back Online After Cyber Attack

The city is gradually restoring online services after a ransomware attack in July interrupted them. Phone service, online water bill payments, and Parks and Recreation payment systems are among those ...

www.govtech.com

projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · Sep 3

You can’t secure what you can’t see.
CISA's new OT guide is a great place for water systems to start.
👉 Contact DEF CON Franklin now to get free cyber assistance for your water system.
#CyberCivilDefense #CyberResilienceCorps #Take9
www.cisa.gov/resources-to...

Foundations for OT Cybersecurity: Asset Inventory Guidance for Owners and Operators | CISA

By following this guidance, organizations can enhance their overall security posture, improve maintenance and reliability, and ensure the safety and resilience of their OT environments.

www.cisa.gov

projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · Sep 3

👇Please check out this great blog post about DEF CON Franklin and Cyber Resilience Corps on NetZeroDay! Thank you to @camille.stewart.gloster for featuring us in this important message about water cybersecurity. Every tap matters. #CyberCivilDefense #Take9

netzeroday.substack.com/p/cybersecur...

Cybersecurity for Small Water Systems: Why Every Tap Matters

Close the Cyber Gap. Volunteer Where It Matters Most.

netzeroday.substack.com

projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · Aug 27

4) Cybersecurity must reach every tap. Not just the big ones. #CyberCivilDefense #CyberResilienceCorps #Take9

projectfranklin.bsky.social @projectfranklin.bsky.social · Aug 27

3) That’s where DEF CON Franklin comes in: volunteers helping the most vulnerable, underresourced utilities defend against real threats.

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