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. 1 2 Singh, Lisa. "Ralph Echemendia, the 'Ethical Hacker,' to Speak at Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit". Washington Exec. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Lipscomb, Jessica (15 September 2016). "Miami Hacker Ralph Echemendia Now a Security Consultant for Snowden Movie". Miami New Times. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  5. 1 2 Kushner, David (23 November 2015). "The Hacking of Hollywood". Backchannel. Wired Media Group. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  6. Rushfield, Richard (16 August 2013). "Burning Question: How Do Studios Protect Their Films From Internet Hackers". Movie Talk. Yahoo. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  7. Belloni, Matthew (4 August 2011). "Accused 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn' Hacker Pleads Not Guilty; Summit Responds". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  8. "Executive Management Team". Red E. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  9. Taroy, Daniel (16 September 2016). "How Do You Even Begin To Make A Film Like "Snowden"?". FastCoCreate. Fast Company. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  10. Gaudiosi, John (15 September 2016). "Joseph Gordon-Levitt wrestled with Snowden's legacy before meeting him in person". Digital Trends. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  11. Roberts, Jeff John (16 September 2016). "5 Cool Tech Tidbits From the 'Snowden' Movie". Fortune. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  12. Dave, Paresh (4 June 2016). "Celebrity cybersecurity consultants protect stars from hackers". Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  13. "Nerve (2016) Full Cast & Crew". IMDB. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  14. "Future 15s: New Media". SXSW. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  15. "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.
  16. Ralph Echemendia, Valerie Plame (22 April 2015). The Hacker and The Spy (Audio). New York, USA: Tribeca Film Festival Live.
  17. "Digital Entertainment World". Media Post. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  18. "Ralph Echemendia, Red-E Digital". Content Protection Summit 2013. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2016.

Further reading

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