US-based indictments against nation-state affiliated hackers

The Azure Forum for Contemporary Security Strategy

Informal fireside briefing and group discussion on "US-based indictments against nation-state affiliated hackers"

Stephen's Green Club

David Hickton, the first prosecutor to use an indictment to target nation-state hackers, will provide an overview and first-hand account of significant US-based indictments against nation-state affiliated hackers. Hickton will also address the evolving value of indictments in the national security toolkit and for multilateral cooperation.From 2010-2016, David J. Hickton served as United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, where he prosecuted groundbreaking cyber cases, including a first-of-its kind indictment against members of the Chinese military for economic espionage. Hickton had a distinguished career in private practice prior to his service as U.S. Attorney and is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Hickton has been admitted before numerous courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Hickton founded the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security in 2017, where he serves as founding director. He holds faculty appointments in the School of Law, the School of Computing and Information, and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. Hickton also serves as the managing trustee of the National Opioid Abatement Trust II; as well as a non-resident senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (DC) and a Distinguished Fellow at the Azure Forum for Contemporary Security Strategy. Hickton took a leave of absence from Pitt to serve as staff director and senior counsel to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis from 2020-2021. Hickton is a 1978 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and a 1981 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He began his legal career as a clerk for U.S. District Judge Gustave Diamond. He has been named Pennsylvania Attorney of the Year, Distinguished Alumni of Pitt School of Law, and a University of Pittsburgh Legacy Laureate. He is also a recipient of the University of Pittsburgh 225th anniversary medallion, an honour bestowed on alumni who have brought particular honour to the university through their work and service. Please register early to avoid disappointment since places are limited to facilitate discussion.This briefing is open outside the Azure Forum membership.  The Azure Forum for Contemporary Security Strategy is Ireland’s first and only independent think tank dedicated to providing recommendations on peace, security and defence. As Ireland’s first national security research institute, the Forum aims to contribute to national and international security analysis and strategic studies for a more peaceful, secure, resilient and prosperous future nationally and globally at a time of emerging global risk.