Stephen T Cobb

After authoring more than a dozen textbooks on how to use spreadsheets, databases, and other software applications, Cobb's first book on PC and LAN Security was published in 1991.[4] In 2002, Cobb published a primer on privacy for businesses.[5] As co-author and editor of the Trusted Email Open Standard Cobb helped present this proposal for securing email to the Federal Trade Commission in 2003. After a brief hiatus from privacy and security research, during which he produced an independent documentary on racial inequality in America (Dare Not Walk Alone, 2006), Cobb co-authored a peer-reviewed paper on the dangers of malicious code use by governments, which he termed "righteous malware".[6] Cobb's historical analysis of cybercrime surveys was presented at Virus Bulletin 2015.[7]

Cobb co-founded two information security startups that were sold to NASDAQ listed companies. The first was InfoSec Labs, acquired in 1999 by Rainbow Technologies, a maker of encryption products such as the CryptoSwift Hardware Security Module (HSM). The second was ePrivacy Group, the company that created the TurnTide anti-spam technology.[8] This technology was acquired by Symantec in 2004 was still in use a decade later as the Symantec Traffic Shaper.[9]

Cobb served for four years on the IT Security Executive Council of CompTIA (2012-2015). He frequently worked with Security Our eCity, a non-profit community-wide security awareness organization based in San Diego.[10] In that role, he helped organize annual Cyber Boot Camps for middle school and high school students that received national attention.[11] Cobb has been an invited speaker on information security and data privacy issues in a dozen countries.[12] He is also a TEDx speaker.[13] Cobb's dissertation for his master of science degree in security and risk management at the University of Leicester addressed aspects of the cybersecurity skills gap.[14]

As a security researcher with ESET, Cobb tracked the effects of security breaches on economic activity. For example, in the wake of the Snowden revelations he documented a drop in online shopping and banking.[15] In 2018 he fielded a public opinion survey in North America that paralleled prior studies conducted by the European Union (EU), published as the “Special Eurobarometer: Cyber Security.” This revealed that nine out of 10 Americans surveyed agreed that cybercrime was “an important challenge to the internal security of the USA."[16] The study also revealed high levels of concern about cybercrime in Canada.[17]

In an effort to spread awareness of emerging threats Cobb has coined words for two related digital security problems: jackware and siegeware. He described jackware as "ransomware meets car jacking." [18] Siegeware is "the code-enabled ability to make a credible extortion demand based on digitally impaired building functionality." [19]

In 2019, CompTIA presented Cobb with the Tech Champion Award for Industry.[20] The Tech Champion Awards are presented to "leaders focused on driving innovation, job growth and advancements for the information technology (IT) industry."[21] Previous Tech Champion Award recipients include U.S. Senator Cory Booker[22] and U.S. Representative Anna Eshoo.[23]

• Quoted by Newsweek on FBI-Apple encryption debate
• Cited by American Banker on FBI-Apple encryption debate
• Quoted by the Washington Post on post-Snowden drop in Internet commerce
• Interviewed by Bank InfoSecurity
• Cited by Marketplace on Snowden leaks
• Cited on healthcare data breach by the NY Times
• Quoted by Forbes on state data breach
• Articles by Stephen Cobb on healthcare IT security
• Cited by NBC on Instagram vulnerability
• Collected cybersecurity articles by Stephen Cobb
• Security website, S. Cobb on Security
• Cited by fellow expert on antivirus technology
• Cited by Dell on security of wearables
• Speaking at DEF CON 3, 1995