Ralph (Rafael) Echemendia is a cyber security specialist, who is known as "The Ethical Hacker."[1] He specialises in protecting intellectual property in the entertainment industry and educating on security.[2]

Ralph (Rafael) Echemendia
Born
Havana, Cuba
Occupation(s)Ethical Hacker, Cyber Security Expert, Public Speaker, Consultant

Early life edit

Echemendia was born in Cuba and raised in the US 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 edit

Echemendia began working in entertainment via investigating 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]

In 2015, Echemendia worked with Stone on Snowden, providing technical supervision.[8] He supported the actors by explaining the background to the technical terms in the script.[9] Echemendia and screenwriter Kieran Fitzgerald also worked with Edward Snowden to replicate the actual NSA log-in screen.[10]

In 2016, Echemendia became the hacking consultant to directors and producers of Nerve.[11]

References edit

  1. ^ 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. ^ a b 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. ^ Taroy, Daniel (16 September 2016). "How Do You Even Begin To Make A Film Like "Snowden"?". FastCoCreate. Fast Company. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  9. ^ Gaudiosi, John (15 September 2016). "Joseph Gordon-Levitt wrestled with Snowden's legacy before meeting him in person". Digital Trends. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  10. ^ Roberts, Jeff John (16 September 2016). "5 Cool Tech Tidbits From the 'Snowden' Movie". Fortune. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  11. ^ "Nerve (2016) Full Cast & Crew". IMDB. Retrieved 25 August 2016.

Further reading edit

External links edit