Hackers Launch Project to Secure Infrastructure and Fight Authoritarianism

DEF CON attendees express frustration with government's handling of cybersecurity and threats to democracy

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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Hackers attending the DEF CON security conference are expressing growing frustration with the U.S. Government's handling of cybersecurity and threats to democratic institutions, according to Jake Braun, a leading figure in the hacker community and former homeland security advisor. In response, Braun has spearheaded the 'Franklin' project, which enlists volunteer hackers to bolster the security of critical infrastructure. The initiative is detailed in the annual 'Hackers' Almanack,' a publication that focuses on major threats like cybercrime, artificial intelligence, and authoritarianism.

Why it matters

The hacker community's frustration with the government's perceived failure to address critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities and protect democratic institutions has led to the creation of the Franklin project, which aims to leverage the skills and resources of volunteer hackers to secure critical infrastructure and combat threats to freedom and transparency.

The details

The Franklin project was launched at DEF CON in 2024 and has already enlisted over 350 hackers to secure water facilities in its first year. The initiative is named after Benjamin Franklin and is modeled after his historical role in establishing America's first volunteer fire department. The annual 'Hackers' Almanack' publication, now in its second volume, compiles research and insights from the DEF CON community on topics like the growing potential for AI to be weaponized in cyberspace, efforts to dismantle cybercrime operations, and the need to protect data, communications, and cultural heritage from censorship and surveillance.

  • The Franklin project was launched at DEF CON in 2024.
  • The second volume of the 'Hackers' Almanack' was released earlier this month (March 2026).

The players

Jake Braun

A leading figure in the hacker community and former homeland security advisor who co-founded the DEF CON Voting Machine Hacking Village and spearheaded the Franklin project.

Benjamin Franklin

The historical figure whose role in establishing America's first volunteer fire department and publishing the informative Poor Richard's Almanack inspired the naming and model of the Franklin project.

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What they’re saying

“This community is so committed to these principles of human rights and freedom of speech and science, that that when we see people fuck with them – or when we see the people that we elect to preserve these things not doing their fucking job – we're just like: 'Fuck you guys,'”

— Jake Braun, Co-founder of the DEF CON Voting Machine Hacking Village (The Register)

What’s next

The Franklin project plans to continue expanding its efforts to secure critical infrastructure, with a focus on developing a 'Digital Arsenal of Democracy' comprised of technologies like mesh networks, digital archives, and secure communication tools.

The takeaway

The hacker community's frustration with the government's perceived failure to address cybersecurity threats and protect democratic institutions has led to the creation of the Franklin project, which leverages the skills and resources of volunteer hackers to bolster the security of critical infrastructure and combat authoritarianism, cybercrime, and the misuse of emerging technologies like AI.