Jeffrey Bardin

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Navigating the Cyber Storm: Unmasking Disinformation, Darkweb Dwellers, and Digital Warfare 

With information flowing seamlessly across borders, the emergence of a sinister underbelly challenges global stability. This talk explores the internet, darknet, and social media, illuminating the complex threats of disinformation, darkweb activities, cyber warfare, and Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). The journey begins with a stark portrayal of disinformation and its role as a catalyst in hybrid warfare. Real-world examples from Russia, China, and Iran underscore the tangible impact on global politics and public perception. 

The talk moves into the darkweb and social networks, transitioning from disinformation, exposing their role as fertile grounds for malicious actors known as elves and trolls. Through vivid case studies, the narrative unveils how these actors manipulate public discourse, contributing to a larger disinformation ecosystem. 

The conversation then bridges cyber warfare, spotlighting the military and political objectives driving cyber-attacks. A review of notable incidents reveals the broader implications on national security and global stability, setting the stage for a comprehensive understanding of this modern-day conflict. 

The talk explores cyber intelligence as we venture deeper into virtual shadows, explaining its crucial role in navigating the digital threat landscape. The discussion advances to the sinister world of APTs, highlighting notable groups, their tactics, and their geopolitical objectives within the larger cyber warfare landscape. 

The conclusion heralds a vision of a futuristic approach to digital resilience, steering the narrative towards pioneering solutions in the face of evolving cyber threats. It emphasizes the indispensable role of emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and blockchain to analyze trends, adversary tactics evolution, and emerging technologies to forecast potential threat scenarios. We cover cross-border innovation ecosystems such as joint research initiatives, shared cybersecurity training programs, and international cybersecurity standards development. These strategies highlight a change in thinking towards a more resilient, autonomous, and privacy-preserving cybersecurity landscape. Leveraging advancements in AI, quantum mechanics, blockchain, and other emerging technologies, these novel approaches aim to stay ahead of the sophisticated and evolving threat landscape. 


Jeffrey Bardin

Jeffrey Bardin is the Chief Intelligence Officer for Treadstone 71 with clients on 4 continents. In 2007, Mr. Bardin received the RSA Conference Award for Excellence in Security Practices. His team also won SC Magazine's 2007 Best Security Team Award. He has been a board member of several companies such as: Boston Infragard, Content Raven, Journal of Law and Cyber Warfare and Wisegate and was a founding member of the Cloud Security Alliance. Mr. Bardin served in the USAF as a cryptologic linguist and in the US Army/US Army National Guard as an armored officer, commander of an armored reconnaissance platoon.

Jeffrey Bardin has extensive experience in cyber intelligence lifecycle services, intelligence programming, TIP selection and compilation, targeted research and support, cyber counterintelligence services and analysis, deception planning, and cyber operations. Teaches cyber intelligence and counterintelligence (anonymity, cyber personas, collection management, covert cyber HUMINT, sociocultural aspects of intelligence, critical thinking, cognitive bias, methods and types of analysis, Mitre ATT&CK, structured analytical techniques, analytical writing, briefings and dissemination), collection and use of open source intelligence tools, strategic intelligence, operational/tactical/technical intelligence, and methods in identifying media manipulation.

He holds a BA in Special Studies - Middle Eastern Studies and Language from Trinity College and an MA in Information Security from Norwich University. He also attended the Middlebury College Language School for further language training. Mr. Bardin also spent over two years studying Russian history, literature, political systems and language. He has lived and worked in the Mediterranean region and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Among other things, he has served as an adjunct instructor for graduate programs in cyber intelligence, counterintelligence, cybercrime, and cyberterrorism at Utica College. Mr. Bardin has also appeared on CNN, CBS News Live, FoxNews, BBCRadio, i24News, BBN, and several other news outlets, and has contributed headlines to Business Insider magazine.