A Deep Dive into Cybersecurity: Insights from Nick Percoco, CSO of Kraken

Hello, readers! My name is Nick Percoco, and I have the distinct pleasure of serving as the Chief Security Officer at Kraken, a leading global digital asset exchange. With over 25 years of experience in the realms of security and technology, I’m thrilled to share my expertise with you today.

My journey in cybersecurity began at a young age when I first learned to code on a Timex Sinclair 1000 back in the early 1980s. Growing up in the Chicagoland area, I immersed myself in the local bulletin board systems (BBS) during the late 80s and early 90s, using a Commodore 64 and later an Intel 386 PC equipped with Linux. This early exposure cultivated my passion for technology and laid the foundation for a career dedicated to securing digital environments.

Prior to my current role at Kraken, I served as the Chief Security Officer at Uptake, an industrial AI firm, and held the position of Vice President of Global Services at Rapid7, a comprehensive cybersecurity services company. I have had the opportunity to share my insights at prominent conferences such as Black Hat, DEF CON, and OWASP, and have provided consultations to high-profile organizations including the Department of Homeland Security, US-CERT, Interpol, and the United States Secret Service.

Aside from my professional endeavors, I have also played a significant role in Chicago’s vibrant hacker community. I founded THOTCON, a hacker conference that will celebrate its 12th edition in 2023. Throughout my career, I have been involved in investigating some of the largest data breaches in history, and for the past four years, I have been focusing on building robust security programs at Kraken to defend against cyber threats.

I am here today to engage with you—whether you have questions about cryptocurrency security, tips for safeguarding your digital assets, or inquiries into cybersecurity trends and investigations. Feel free to ask me anything!

Thank you for joining me, and I look forward to your questions!

Edit: Thank you all for the fantastic questions! I had a great time engaging with you and will continue to check in throughout the day to answer more of your queries.