Humans vs. AI
In an era where technology and human ingenuity are constantly at odds, we bring you the John Henry Competition—a thrilling event where humans go head-to-head against artificial intelligence to see who reigns supreme in the realm of vishing attacks. Inspired by the legendary tale of John Henry, the steel-driving man who took on a steam-powered hammer, this competition embodies the timeless struggle of human skill versus machine efficiency.
About the Competition
The John Henry Competition is named after the iconic figure, John Henry, whose story has been a testament to human perseverance and strength. Just as John Henry battled the machine to prove the power of human effort, our participants will engage in a modern-day duel, showcasing their expertise in vishing attacks. This competition isn’t just about winning; it’s about understanding the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats and the roles both humans and AI play in it.
The competition will adhere to our established Social Engineering Community Vishing Competition (SECVC) rules, ensuring a structured and challenging environment for all participants. However, it’s important to note that this event stands apart as a unique and independent competition, inspired by the legendary tale of John Henry. In this modern-day digital duel, one team will champion the prowess of humans, while the other will advocate for the capabilities of AI. Just as John Henry faced the steam-powered drill, these teams will go head to head, striving to capture the same objectives set forth in the SECVC.
In this thrilling contest, the human team will bring their intuition, creativity, and deep understanding of human behavior to the forefront, much like John Henry’s unyielding strength and determination. Meanwhile, the AI team will leverage advanced algorithms, speed, and precision, embodying the relentless efficiency of the machine. Both teams will compete to demonstrate their supremacy in vishing tactics, navigating through real calls to companies.
Adding to the excitement, the competition will be judged by a distinguished panel of three returning judges who have previously presided over the SECVC. These experienced judges will bring their keen insights and fair judgment to ensure that the spirit of competition is maintained. Their expertise will be crucial in evaluating the tactics, strategies, and overall performance of both teams, much like the way the legendary contest between John Henry and the steam drill was closely watched by onlookers eager to see who would prevail.
In this epic showdown, the stakes are high, and the challenge is formidable. Will the human team’s adaptability and resourcefulness triumph over the AI’s speed and precision? Or will the relentless efficiency of the machine prove to be unbeatable? Join us in this modern retelling of the John Henry legend, and witness firsthand the clash of titans in the realm of vishing attacks.
Guest Judges
Rachel Tobac
freakyclown aka FC
Corgi
About the Panel
Dr. Jessica Barker
Co-Founder of Cygenta
Dr. Jessica Barker
The panel will be moderated by the distinguished Dr. Jessica Barker!
About Dr. Barker: Dr. Jessica Barker MBE is an award-winning leader in the human side of cyber security and has delivered face-to-face awareness sessions to over 70,000 people. Jessica is the go-to expert for media such as BBC, Sky News and Wired and she has delivered over 80 keynotes including NATO, the World Government Summit and RSA. She serves on numerous boards, including the UK Government Cyber Security Advisory Board. She is the author of best-selling books ‘Hacked’ and ‘Confident Cyber Security’. In June 2023, Jessica was awarded an MBE for services to cyber security by King Charles in his first Birthday Honours.
Snow
Chief People Hacker at IBM
JC
President at Snowfensive
Team Humanity: Snow & JC
The Social Engineering Community’s founders team up to go into the ring against the machines!
About Snow: Snow, the Chief People Hacker at IBM X-Force, leads the organization’s renowned social engineering program with over a decade of experience in the field. Specializing in on-site, phishing, and vishing campaigns, she has developed and executed numerous strategies to safeguard organizations from cyber threats that exploit human behavior. Her expertise in human behavior and cybersecurity has been instrumental in creating innovative training programs that educate employees and stakeholders about social engineering dangers. Snow’s dedication to enhancing cybersecurity awareness earned her a DEF CON black badge for placing 1st in a social engineering competition, a prestigious recognition in the field. Despite being stopped by police and security guards alike, she has never been handcuffed! As a sought-after speaker and professional educator, she shares her extensive knowledge and experience at conferences and seminars, inspiring proactive measures against cyber threats.
About JC: In the shadowy world of vishing, where voices deceive and trust is a fragile commodity, there is one individual who stands out like a beacon of cunning brilliance. Known to his colleagues as JC, he is a maestro of manipulation, orchestrating vishing attacks with the finesse of a tea party under the maddest of hats. With a persuasive charm that can unlock the most guarded secrets, JC approaches each target with the curiosity and strategic precision of someone who has wandered through the looking glass and returned with unparalleled insight.
Lisa Flynn
Human Systems Engineer and AI Researcher
Perry Carpenter
Author & Cyber Evangelist @KnowBe4 & @8thLayerMedia
Team AI: Lisa & Perry
This dynamic duo have thrown the gauntlet that their AI can out perform a human team at vishing!
About Lisa: L. Flynn, MS MIS, is a PhD Candidate in IT and Electrical Engineering, specializing in Intelligence Augmentation for cybersecurity workforce development. With extensive experience in international disruptive technology and as a repeat Tech Entrepreneur and C-Suite Paratrooper, she excels in Human-AI Integrated Systems Engineering and creating deployable solutions in the field.
Her research in cognitive security advances AI-enhanced methodologies to develop a responsive cybersecurity workforce. Flynn also contributes to international counter-terrorism coalitions, showcasing her societal impact and cross-cultural expertise.
An expert in Augmented Intelligence, Generative AI (LLMs), and Cognitive Security, Flynn is available for keynotes, workshops, and to serve in expert witness roles.
About Perry: Perry Carpenter is a multi-award-winning author, podcaster, and speaker with a passion for deception and technology. With over two decades in cybersecurity, Perry has dedicated his career to understanding how cybercriminals exploit human behavior.
Perry’s career has been a relentless pursuit of understanding how bad actors exploit human nature. His fascination for the art and science of deception began in childhood with magic tricks and mental manipulations, evolving into a mission to protect others from digital threats. As the Chief Human Risk Management Strategist at KnowBe4, Perry helps organizations and individuals build robust defenses against the ever-evolving landscape of online deceptions.
His latest book, FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World of Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI-Generated Deceptions (Wiley: Oct 2024), tackles the fascinating and often daunting world of artificial intelligence. He explores AI’s potential benefits and the darker side of its application in deception and misinformation. Through engaging storytelling and practical advice, Perry equips readers with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complexities of AI-driven deception.
