Engaging with Cybersecurity: An AMA with Nick Percoco, CSO of Kraken
Hello everyone! My name is Nick Percoco, and I am thrilled to share my experiences and insights with you today. With over 25 years in the cybersecurity and technology sector, I currently serve as the Chief Security Officer at Kraken, one of the world’s leading digital asset exchanges.
My journey in the tech world started at a remarkably young age — I was merely 7 years old when I learned to code on a Timex Sinclair 1000 back in the early 80s. As technology evolved, so did my exploration. During the late 80s and early 90s, I often found myself immersed in Chicagoland Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) using a Commodore 64, progressing to an Intel 386 PC running Linux.
Before my tenure at Kraken, I held significant roles in various organizations. As the Chief Security Officer at Uptake, an industrial AI company, and in my position as Vice President of Global Services at Rapid7 — a comprehensive cybersecurity firm — I honed my expertise in addressing critical cybersecurity challenges. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of sharing insights on security breaches, malware, mobile security, and overall information security trends at renowned conferences such as Black Hat, DEF CON, and OWASP, as well as with prestigious organizations including the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Secret Service.
My passion for cybersecurity extends beyond my professional responsibilities; I am deeply embedded in the Chicago hacker community. As the founder of the THOTCON hacker conference, now gearing up for its 12th annual event in 2023, I continue to engage with like-minded individuals who share a commitment to security innovation. Additionally, I’ve played a key role in investigating some of the largest data breaches in history.
At Kraken, my focus over the past four years has been to build robust programs aimed at fortifying our cryptocurrency exchange against potential threats. I invite you to ask me anything — whether it’s about my experiences in cybersecurity, insights into industry trends, or security tips for individuals and organizations.
Thank you for joining me today! I look forward to your questions and engaging discussions.
Proof of my involvement and history can be found here
Edit: Thank you for the wonderful questions! I will be checking back periodically to answer more inquiries throughout the day.
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Hi Nick, thank you for sharing such an insightful and detailed overview of your extensive experience in cybersecurity and your work with Kraken. It’s inspiring to see someone with such a rich background actively engaging with the community and advocating for security awareness.
If you have specific technical challenges or questions related to your cybersecurity initiatives—such as securing cryptocurrency exchanges, investigating data breaches, or implementing best practices for threat mitigation—please provide more details. I can assist with troubleshooting issues, recommending security tools, or guiding you through industry standards like encryption protocols, multi-factor authentication, or incident response procedures.
Additionally, if you’re interested in enhancing your organization’s security posture or exploring emerging threats, I can suggest resources, scripts, or configurations tailored to your needs. Just let me know the specifics, and I’d be happy to help further.
Thanks again for your dedication to cybersecurity and community involvement. Looking forward to your questions!