| CONFESSIONS OF A CIA SPY |
| 1 | Acknowledgements This book would never have been published without the assistance and support of numerous people. David Quilter, whose pen authored the foreword, served as my principal mentor during my transition from federal service back into the private sector. Another mentor, Charles Saba, inspired me to pursue this passion and strongly encouraged that I take my message globally. Through the assistance of both Charles and Heital Yaagnik, I am in the process of organizing several virtual and in-person international events focused on counterintelligence and insider threats. |
| 2 | While too many to detail, there are dozens of friends and business associates who reviewed draft portions of this book providing their feedback, insights and words of encouragement. Thank you all! I would be remiss to not acknowledge the support I received from my family during my career within the CIA. At the time of my first overseas deployment, only my spouse and father knew my true affiliation. |
| 3 | I had to intentionally hold back the truth from remaining family members due to cover sensitivities. Only a couple of years prior to my retirement did I bring the rest of my family into the "circle of trust" like Robert De Niro in the 2000 film Meet the Parents. Fortunately, my confession was well received. Of course, those who made the most sacrifices for me during my CIA adventure were my wife, Carmen, and our children Mary, Alexander and Chrissy. |
| 4 | They continue to provide invaluable assistance in the validation of marketing ideas, proofing of draft communications and the development of social media content. Finally, a very special mention goes to my superb editor, Lillian Chapa, who worked tirelessly in turning my rough manuscript into a book which hopefully will be enjoyed by many. She has already agreed to assist with my next effort. Foreword I have known Peter Warmka for more than 10 years, ever since we met through the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the global organization that combats embezzlement, fraud and theft of information of all types. |
| 5 | We have both been Certified Fraud Examiners for more than 20 years, and since our first meeting we have been both friends and colleagues. I've long known and respected Peter as a consummate public servant and professional. Confessions of a CIA Spy: The Art of Human Hacking is Peter's primer on the awareness you and I need when it comes to data, social media sites and information. Peter points out what not to do when it comes to anything and everything involved with electronic communications and publicly available information. |
| 6 | From my perspective as the senior security executive at four Fortune 500 companies, a career with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and veteran of the Marine Corps—totaling more than five decades of experience—I immediately understood how valuable Peter's experience and expertise is in dealing with the broad spectrum of information management, and at times, mismanagement. Having the responsibility and accountability for tens of thousands of employees and tens of billions of dollars in business assets around the world takes lifelong learning and colleagues like Peter. |
| 7 | During our first meeting and ever since then, I have come to appreciate Peter's utmost honesty and his determination to share his life experience as a CIA undercover operative in very compelling ways: to always educate, enhance and protect the integrity of both individual and institutional information. What I found in these pages are step-by-step levels of awareness and expertise that will help you better understand how we are frequently unaware of what can and often actually does happen to our personal information and identity. |
| 8 | As Peter aptly points out, it is important to remember that any information you are providing online about yourself, your family or your company makes you a potential target for any organization that can and will use your information for whatever purposes it wants. It is all a part of the public domain. From a business perspective, Peter provides what amounts to a must-read for IT professionals, HR managers, security professionals, C-suite executives and leaders at all levels. |
| 9 | In addition, parents have a need to know about common social engineering schemes because all too often their family members have no awareness of their vulnerability. Peter shares rare and candid insight into a threat that so few people know even exists. He offers practical personal advice, including a Personalized Assessment Questionnaire that readers can use to assess how and where they themselves may be more vulnerable than they, their business or family want to be. |
| 10 | This I find invaluable! Through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, we understand that the economic downturn will lead to an inevitable increase in criminal activity, such as theft, fraud, burglaries, robbery and yes, breaches to steal valuable individual data. The "Human Hacker" has delivered this book to help us avoid and mitigate harm. J. David Quilter has served as executive security leader at Baxter International, Allegiance Healthcare, Cardinal Health and NiSource. |
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