Christopher James Hadnagy is an American author and information technology security consultant. He is recognized for his contributions to the field of social engineering in information security.
Christopher J. Hadnagy | |
|---|---|
 General Keith Alexander (left) offers Chris Hadnagy the NSA Director's Challenge Coin at DEF CON 20. | |
| Born | Christopher James Hadnagy |
| Occupation(s) | Information technology consultant, author |
| Organization(s) | Innocent Lives Foundation, Social-Engineer, LLC |
| Website | www |
Career
editChristopher J. Hadnagy is the founder and CEO of Social-Engineer LLC, a company specializing in education and training in social engineering.[1] He also established Social-Engineer.Org, an IT security education website.[2]
Over his 17-year career, Hadnagy has contributed significantly to the information security industry, including developing a social engineering framework, producing a newsletter, and hosting a podcast focused on the subject.[3][4]
He also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Arizona's Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations, designated by the NSA.[5]
In 2019, Vice reported that Hadnagy sold computer software designed for identifying anonymous online child predators to the FBI for $250,000.[6]
Charitable Foundation
editIn 2017, Hadnagy founded the Innocent Lives Foundation,[7] dedicated to protecting children from online predators by investigating child exploitation, sexual abuse, trafficking, and the production of child sexual abuse material. The foundation collaborates with information security professionals, utilizes open-source intelligence (OSINT), and works with law enforcement agencies in the United States, including support from actor Erin Gray[8] and the FBI.[9]
DEF CON
editHadnagy contributed to DEF CON by helping create a social engineering competition in 2009 and sponsoring one of the first social engineering capture the flag events in 2010.[10][11]
In 2018, he revealed his online moniker "LoganWHD" to a reporter from The New York Times.[12] However, Hadnagy was permanently banned from DEF CON in 2022 for code of conduct violations, a decision he publicly disputed.[13][14] He later sued DEF CON for harm to his reputation, a case that is currently pending.[15][16][17][18]
BSides Cleveland
editIn 2021, Security BSides in Cleveland Ohio featured Hadnagy as an unlisted "special guest" speaker.[19] Controversy surrounding his participation and speaking led to several other speakers withdrawing from the event in the moment of speaking.[20]
Organization sponsors that brought on Hadnagy included local security companies.
Books
editChristopher Hadnagy has authored several books on social engineering, including:
- Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking (2018, John Wiley & Sons Inc.) ISBN 978-1-119-43338-5[21]
- Unmasking the Social Engineer: The Human Element of Security (2014, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.) ISBN 978-1-118-60857-9
- Phishing Dark Waters: The Offensive and Defensive Sides of Malicious E-mails (2015, John Wiley & Sons Inc.), co-authored with Michele Fincher and Robin Dreeke ISBN 978-1-118-95847-6
- Social Engineering: The Art of Human Hacking (2010, Wiley Publishing, Inc.) ISBN 978-0-470-63953-5[22]
- Human Hacking: Win Friends, Influence People, and Leave Them Better Off for Having Met You (2021, Harper Business) ISBN 978-0-063-00178-7[23]
References
edit- ^ "Hacking humans: social engineering and the power of influence". ABC Radio National. March 16, 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
- ^ Goodchild, Joan (October 17, 2011). "New social engineering poll reveals which scam works better". CSO Online. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
- ^ "Arizona.edu - Christopher Hadnagy". sxsw.arizona.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ Yadron, Danny (2015-04-20). "The Man Who Hacks Your Employees". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
- ^ "Faculty". The University of Arizona – Center of Academic Excellence.
- ^ Cox, Joseph (2021-03-25). "FBI Paid Anti-Child Predator Charity $250,000 for Hacking Tools". Vice. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
- ^ Larson, Selena (2017-08-14). "Hacker creates organization to unmask child predators". CNNMoney. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
- ^ "Actress Erin Gray talks about The Innocent Lives Foundation - CBS Los Angeles". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ Cox, Joseph (2021-03-25). "FBI Paid Anti-Child Predator Charity $250,000 for Hacking Tools". Vice. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ "Chris Hadnagy on the Def Con hackers posing as your coworkers". Christian Science Monitor. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ "DefCon contest to spotlight social engineering". CSO Online. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ^ Hiltner, Stephen (September 24, 2018). "When Reporting on Defcon, Avoid Stereotypes and A.T.M.s".
- ^ Nichols, Shaun (February 10, 2022). "DEF CON bans social engineering expert Chris Hadnagy". TechTarget. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
- ^ "Post DEF CON 29". DEFCON Transparency Report. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ Hetzner, Christiaan (August 19, 2022). "Star social engineer dubbed the 'human hacker' sues Def Con after receiving permanent ban". Fortune. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
- ^ Faife, Corin (2022-08-18). "Def Con banned a social engineering star — now he's suing". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
- ^ Wright, Rob (2023-01-16). "Judge dismisses Chris Hadnagy lawsuit against DEF CON". TechTarget. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
- ^ "Hadnagy et al v. Moss et al". UniCourt. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
- ^ BSides, Security (June 20, 2022). "Security BSides Response to the BSides Cleveland Incident". Security Bsides. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
- ^ "Security BSides commits to greater conference diversity after speaker backlash". IT PRO. June 21, 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
- ^ Hadnagy, Christopher (July 31, 2018). Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1-119-43338-5.
- ^ BillV (2018-07-26). "Book Review: Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking". Security Boulevard. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
- ^ Human hacking : win friends, influence people, and leave them better off for having met you. OCLC 1255930084. Retrieved June 24, 2021 – via WorldCat.org.