The in-person MTFF for 2020 has been cancelled due to COVID-19. We hope to offer the program in 2021 or 2022. Please see below for a tentative schedule and potential session descriptions for our next event.

MTFF Agenda Schedule

Session Descriptions for the 2020 MTFF

MTFF 2020 Agenda:

Featuring speakers from:
Federal Bureau of Investigation Chainalysis
CipherTrace Thomson Reuters Special Services (TRSS)
Bitflyer KnowBe4
… and many more

Wednesday

08:00 – 09:00 AM Continental Breakfast
09:00 – 09:10 AM Opening Remarks, Moyara Ruehsen (MIIS)
09:10 – 10:10 AM Welcome Keynote

Cyber Security and Partnering with the FBI

Presenter: Special Agent Enrique Alvarez (FBI)

10:10 – 10:50 AM Public Private Partnerships

Moderator: Andy Stewart                            

Panelists: Jim Dinkins (President, TRSS), Yaya Fanusie (CNAS), Enrique Alvarez (FBI), Pam Clegg (CipherTrace)

10:50 – 11:10 AM Networking Break
11:10 – 11:50 AM Online Fraud: Protecting against Synthetic Identities and Account Takeovers

Presenter: Jennifer Singh (Entersekt)

Where there’s money being exchanged for goods, there’s also fraud. A lot of it. Criminals are following closely behind as the global economy shifts online. Every day, they conduct elaborate schemes that significantly impact financial institutions, retailers, all of us. During this session, we will discuss trends in digital fraud and the impact it is having on key industries. We will explore how fraudsters utilize attack vectors, including synthetic identities and account takeover attacks, to defraud their targets and weaponize their stolen personal data.

11:50 AM – 12:30 PM Preventing Cyber Fraud

Moderator: Andy Stewart

Panelists: David Zacks (Bitflyer), Vikas Agarwal (PwC), Jennifer Singh (Entersekt)

Moderator Andy Stewart discusses with Jennifer Singh some of the new tactics that can mitigate against synthetic identities and account takeovers, with the aim of leaving you better prepared to protect your digital channels from criminal activity. He will also discuss with David Zacks, the Chief Compliance Officer at Bitflyer, how the customer
onboarding process can be modified to prevent fraud, and the kinds of technology financial institutions need to prevent fraud.

12:30 – 1:30 PM Lunch
1:30 – 02:45 PM  Breakout Workshops (Sign-Up Required)

Typologies and Benchmarks: How Financial Institutions can use data to assess Risks and Opportunities in Cryptocurrency (Chainalysis)

Alex Rawitz will walk attendees through some of the basic typologies in the cryptocurrency space, including case studies showing how cryptocurrencies are used in threat financing and other illicit activities. Next, he’ll extrapolate from individual examples to industry-wide statistics on illicit activity, using Chainalysis data to illustrate the landscape of economic activity and money laundering across cryptocurrencies. Finally, he’ll talk about how financial institutions should think about using this data to assess current and future risks and opportunities in this space.

The Evolution of Cryptocurrencies: Markets Technology and Scams (MIIS)

From humble origins in 2009, cryptocurrency has become an important factor across the world of finance. This talk charts the evolution of the crypto space along three different axes–the increasing maturity of cryptocurrency markets, the myriad technological forms built upon the basic foundation of peer-to-peer electronic money, and the prevalence of various types of scams aimed at separating low-information participants from their (digital) wallets.

New Breakthroughs in Negative News (TRSS)

Regulatory requirements around news monitoring are cumbersome. The necessary reviews, cross-checks, and analysis of media reporting can take thousands of hours away from critical investigations. New tools for adverse media screening are changing the game, with significant time and cost savings. Join us for a lively conversation where we’ll dive into the latest trends in risk detection, modeling, and taxonomy, not to mention the challenge of false positives. We’ll also share real-world examples of the opportunities inherent in machine learning (ML) and Natural Language Processing (NLP). If you’re ready for a new way to approach risk intelligence, or just looking to streamline your compliance workflows, this session is for you.

Rise of Crypto MSBs (CipherTrace)

Join us for a series of case studies and new research documenting the different ways criminals abuse cryptocurrencies. From the rise of illicit crypto money service businesses to dark markets to terrorism financing, learn how cryptocurrency threat intelligence and blockchain forensics helps law enforcement and financial institutions identify and stop bad actors.

02:45 – 03:05 PM Networking Break
03:05 – 03:50 PM Nation-State Exploitation of Cryptocurrencies (Russia, Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea)

Presenter: Liat Shetret (Elliptic)

Cryptocurrencies are enabling nation-states to evade sanctions, raise funds and engage in cyberwarfare. In this session we will explain how cryptocurrencies are being used by nation-states to promote their agendas and project influence and power beyond their borders, and how blockchain analysis can be used to gain new insights into these activities. Examples will include Russia, Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea.

03:50 – 04:10 PM Case Study: Sanctions goes Digital by Cameron Trainer (CNS)

This presentation will explore how entities in North Korea’s IT sector have transitioned to e-commerce as a means of engaging in trade otherwise restricted through multilateral and unilateral sanctions regimes. In particular, this presentation will pull from a range of work conducted by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) to highlight the difficulties in identifying North Korean actors on digital platforms. The presentation will increase the ability of audience members to comply with regulations relating to the prevention, suppression and disruption of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and its financing.

04:10 – 04:25 PM Case Study: North Korean ICO Scams by Samuel Whitefield (MIIS)

One of the newest methods the Kim regime has used to acquire hard currency is the sale of fraudulent cryptocurrencies. This talk explains why the North Koreans are engaging in crypto scams, and details the two known case studies where this tactic has been used.

04:25 – 05:00 PM Crypto Rogues

Moderator: Yaya Fanusie

Panelists: Liat Shetret (Elliptic), Cameron Trainer (CNS), Samuel Whitefield (MIIS)

This panel will discuss how cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology more broadly are impacting the geopolitical and international security landscape. Panelists will discuss how countries seeking to skirt sanctions are leveraging new financial technology and assess the likelihood that these alternative means for transferring value could threaten the current AML and sanctions regulatory framework.

05:00 – 07:00 PM Hosted Networking Reception

Thursday

08:00 – 09:00 AM Continental Breakfast
09:00 – 09:45 AM 2020 State of Crypto Crime

Presenter: Jonathan Levin – Cofounder & CSO at Chainalysis

In this session, Jonathan Levin, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Chainalysis, breaks down the latest trends in crypto crime, including why 2019 was the year of the ponzi scheme, the role of corrupt OTC brokers in money laundering, how hackers evolved their strategies, and more.

09:45 – 10:45 AM How to Build a Criminal Case Involving Cryptocurrencies

Presenter: Lourdes Miranda (Miranda FinIntel)

Learn what to include and look for in Suspicious Activity Reporting (SARs) and Currency Transaction Reporting (CTRs); what are the advantages and disadvantages of building the chain of custody on the blockchain; and, understand the value of investigative and analytical cryptocurrency and blockchain tools when building criminal cases.

10:45 – 11:05 AM Networking Break
11:05 – 11:50 AM Ransomware Goes Nuclear

Presenter: Roger Grimes (KnowBe4)

There is a reason more than half of today’s ransomware victims end up paying the ransom. Cyber-criminals have become thoughtful; taking time to maximize your organization’s potential damage and their payoff. After achieving root access, the bad guys explore your network reading email, finding data troves and once they know you, they craft a plan to cause the most panic, pain, and operational disruption. In this presentation Roger Grimes, KnowBe4’s Data-Driven Defense Evangelist, will dive into why data backups (even offline backups) won’t save you, how threats have evolved from data-theft, credential leaks, and corporate impersonation, why ransomware isn’t your real problem, and how your end users can become your best, last line of defense.

11:50 AM – 01:00 PM Blurred Lines: Ransomware & Its Impact on Cyberinsurance

Moderator: Thomas (Thom) Yohannan

Panelists: Roger Grimes (KnowBe4), Jasmine Sturdifen (MIIS), Josh Motta (Coalition, Inc.), and Debra Brown (Chainalysis)

Ransomware, business interruption, compromised vendors, nation-state attacks – cyber claims run the gamut of risks. The emerging threat landscape will challenge information security and cyber insurance professionals in the coming months and years. This session will feature a wide-ranging discussion on determining the financial impact of ransomware, the growing sophistication of ransomware, and social engineering attacks, the difficulties inherent in attack attribution, as well as cyber coverage concepts.

01:00 – 02:00 PM Lunch
02:00 – 03:15 PM Breakout Workshops (Sign-Up Required)Same as Wednesday
03:15 – 03:30 PM Networking Break
03:30 – 03:45 PM Case Study: Samsam Ransomware by Alice Saltini (MIIS)

This brief case examination delves into the effects of the deployment of one variant of SamSam Ransomware. Deployed in 2015 by two Iranian nationals.  This ransomware struck critical infrastructure, including municipalities and hospitals, and affected more than 200 victims worldwide. The attacks generated $6 million in Bitcoin ransom payment, processed through two Iranian exchanges, and led to roughly $30 million in damages for the affected victims.

03:45 – 05:00 PM Money Laundering on Online Gaming Platforms

Moderator: Connor Freeman

Panelists: Emily Stonehouse (Linden Lab), Kelly Conway (Manticore Games), and Alex Newhouse (CTEC)

After first describing how online games can be used for money laundering, this panel discussion will explore the cybercrime risks of in-world currencies / digital assets, and how to create AML/ Fraud monitoring and KYC programs while not deterring legitimate players from the games.

05:00 – 07:00 PM Networking Reception

Friday

08:00 – 09:00 AM Continental Breakfast
09:00 – 09:40 AM Why Crypto Threat Intelligence Should be Integrated into Bank Operations

Presenter: Pam Clegg (CipherTrace)

Criminals funnel illegal gains through hundreds of unregulated cryptocurrency service businesses and into the banking system. Yet this cryptocurrency activity frequently goes unnoticed in the ACH, SWIFT, wire, and credit card payment networks. This session will give you actionable information on how cryptocurrency threat intelligence can be integrated into bank operations to give increased visibility into criminal actors, detect unregistered and illicit cryptocurrency businesses that may be using accounts at your bank, and understand how to appropriately conduct CDD/EDD on customers buying/selling cryptocurrencies.

09:40 – 10:30 AM  Terrorists Raising their Crypto IQ through Experimentation and Adaptation

Presenter: Yaya Fanusie (CNAS)

Yaya J. Fanusie, a former analyst with the CIA, has been researching terrorism financing for decades, and specifically terrorists’ cryptocurrency fundraising since 2016. In this session, he will discuss case studies of various jihadist groups who have run cryptocurrency crowdfunding campaigns, explain how they are sharpening their tools and techniques, and point out ways to address the regulatory and security challenges as terrorists adapt.

10:30 – 10:50 AM Networking Break
10:50 – 11:20 AM Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Risks using Cryptocurrency ATMs

Presenter: Lourdes Miranda (Miranda FinIntel)

This session explores the money laundering and terrorist financing threats involving Bitcoin / Crypto Automated Teller Machines (BTMs / CTMs); how to mitigate those threats; what are the reporting requirements for money services businesses; how to build criminal cases; and which investigative and analytical tools are recommended.

11:20 AM – 12:20 PM Diabolical Phishing Schemes

Presenter: Michael Manrod (CISO, Grand Canyon Education

Every year, billions of dollars are spent hardening systems to prevent exploitation by malicious parties wanting to steal, ransom or destroy valuable information / systems.  However, the one system that remains difficult to patch is the human mind.  In this talk we will look at latest phishing techniques and how attackers evade both technology systems and entice people to cooperate unknowingly with an attack.

12:20 – 12:30 PM Closing Remarks, Moyara Ruehsen (MIIS)
12:30 – 01:00 PM Whale Watching or Aquarium Visit 

*Monterey Bay Aquarium Attendees will be shuttled to Cannery Row (Shuttles Departing from 12:30 – 01:00 PM)

*Whale Watchers will be escorted on a 10 minute walk to Fisherman’s Wharf, where attendees can get lunch before the tour.

*Sessions subject to change