Ralph Echemendia
Ralph (Rafael) Echemendia | |
---|---|
Born | Havana, Cuba |
Residence | Los Angeles, California, United States |
Occupation | Ethical Hacker, Cyber Security Expert, Consultant |
Ralph (Rafael) Echemendia is a cyber security specialist, who is known as the "The Ethical Hacker."[1] He specialises in protecting intellectual property in the entertainment industry and educating on security.[2]
Early life
Echemendia was born in Cuba and raised in Miami where he attended Miami Senior High.[3] His first computer was a Commodore 64.[4] He began hacking with it at the age of 14.[5]
Entertainment industry
Echmendia began working in entertainment when he created a secure online ticketing system for the Marley family. He also investigated the early online leak of an Eminem album.[5]
In 2011, Echemendia was the lead technical investigator on the breach of security that led to The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 leaking. He worked to identify the person responsible for leaking behind the scenes pictures and videos of the film, almost a year before the movie’s release.[6][7]
Echemendia formed RED-E Digital in 2012, the company is a vehicle to consult with the entertainment industry to protect pre-released content.[8]
Enchemendia was approached by director Oliver Stone[1] to collaborate on his movie, Savages. Echemendia worked with Stone to aid in the authenticity of the script and production design. Echemendia also had a cameo role in the film as "Wiley", the sound expert.
In 2015, Echemendia worked with Stone again for Snowden, providing technical supervision.[9] He supported the actors by explaining the background to the technical terms in the script.[10] Echemendia and screenwriter Kieran Fitzgerald also worked with Edward Snowden to replicate the actual NSA log-in screen.[11] The production used a secure chat-and-file-sharing program from RED-E.[12]
In 2016, Echemendia became the hacking consultant to directors and producers of Nerve.[13]
Instruction
In 2009, Echemendia acted as Technical Reviewer for Pearson Education's whitepaper, Chained Exploits: Advanced Hacking Attacks from Start to Finish.
Echemendia has spoken at many technology events such as Austin's South by Southwest (SXSW),[14] the Los Angeles Film Festival[15] and the Tribeca Film Festival.[16] His "Hacking Hollywood" appearance has been presented at Creative Artists Agency, the Digital Entertainment World Expo, the Content Protection & Piracy Summit, as well as the Anti-Piracy and Content Protection Summit.[17][18]
References
- 1 2 Singh, Lisa. "Ralph Echemendia, the 'Ethical Hacker,' to Speak at Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit". Washington Exec. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
- ↑ Bailey, Jason (22 April 2015). "In a Post-Snowden, Post-Sony Hack World, Who Has the Power to Disseminate Secrets?". Flavorwire. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- ↑ Ruse, Gary Alan (27 May 2015). "Once a teenage 'hacker,' he now is a consultant for films". Brickell Tribune. Miami's Community Newspapers. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- ↑ Lipscomb, Jessica (15 September 2016). "Miami Hacker Ralph Echemendia Now a Security Consultant for Snowden Movie". Miami New Times. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
- 1 2 Kushner, David (23 November 2015). "The Hacking of Hollywood". Backchannel. Wired Media Group. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
- ↑ Rushfield, Richard (16 August 2013). "Burning Question: How Do Studios Protect Their Films From Internet Hackers". Movie Talk. Yahoo. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
- ↑ Belloni, Matthew (4 August 2011). "Accused 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn' Hacker Pleads Not Guilty; Summit Responds". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
- ↑ "Executive Management Team". Red E. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- ↑ Taroy, Daniel (16 September 2016). "How Do You Even Begin To Make A Film Like "Snowden"?". FastCoCreate. Fast Company. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
- ↑ Gaudiosi, John (15 September 2016). "Joseph Gordon-Levitt wrestled with Snowden's legacy before meeting him in person". Digital Trends. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
- ↑ Roberts, Jeff John (16 September 2016). "5 Cool Tech Tidbits From the 'Snowden' Movie". Fortune. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
- ↑ Dave, Paresh (4 June 2016). "Celebrity cybersecurity consultants protect stars from hackers". Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- ↑ "Nerve (2016) Full Cast & Crew". IMDB. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- ↑ "Future 15s: New Media". SXSW. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- ↑ "Los Angeles Film Festival announces music in film at the Grammy Museum featuring Pras Michel and BT" (Press release). Film Independent. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- ↑ Ralph Echemendia, Valerie Plame (22 April 2015). The Hacker and The Spy (Audio). New York, USA: Tribeca Film Festival Live.
- ↑ "Digital Entertainment World". Media Post. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- ↑ "Ralph Echemendia, Red-E Digital". Content Protection Summit 2013. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
Further reading
- Echemendia, Ralph (2008). "Emerging Threats in Cyberspace" (PDF).