ProtectCon 2026
TBD / Virtual
- 8
Speakers - 8
Security Topics - 100 yrs
Combined Experience
Helping Survivors
We believe everyone deserves to be safe, and also to feel safe.
A Message From Our Director
I’ve had the privilege of working with Operation Safe Escape […]
Our Speakers
Aaron Thomas
Aaron Thomas
The Abuser in Your Pocket: How Stalkerware puts Domestic Abuse Survivors at RiskAaron Thomas is the Lead Stalkerware Researcher at Operation Safe Escape. Aaron has made notable contributions to the discussion on privacy and women's rights. Aaron authored a paper examining how stalkerware puts women's privacy in danger. Aaron's paper was cited in a legal comment letter directed towards the FTC to uphold a 2021 ban of SupportKing LLC. By advocating for bans on stalkerware, Aaron echoes the importance of safeguarding women's privacy rights and ensuring their safety in a growing technology world. Aaron has also participated in multiple bug bounty programs where he was recognized by the Brave Browser Hacker Hall of Fame in 2026. Aaron aims to raise awareness and promote solutions that enhance privacy and security for everyone.
Email: aaron.t@safeescape.org
Julie Beck
Julie Beck
Survivor to Hunter: An Overcomer’s Story of Surviving Domestic Violence and Cult ControlSurvivor to Hunter: An Overcomer’s Story of Surviving Domestic Violence and Cult Control / OSINT & OPSEC strategies against digital abuse
Julie Beck is a cybersecurity professional, intelligence researcher, and survivor advocate with over 20 years of experience in cyber and information technology. Her work focuses on the intersection of digital exposure, open-source intelligence (OSINT), and real-world harm.
She is currently a PhD candidate in Cyber Policy, Defense, and Intelligence, where her research examines how publicly available information can be used to identify, track, and exploit individuals in cases involving cyberstalking, domestic violence, and cartel-linked human trafficking. As both a practitioner and survivor, Julie brings a dual perspective to her work. Her talk, Empowering Survivors: OSINT & OPSEC Strategies Against Digital Abuse, reframes OSINT not only as a tool for investigation, but as a mechanism for protection. Drawing from real-world experience, she demonstrates how the same techniques used to target individuals can be leveraged to reduce risk, disrupt exploitation pathways, and support survivor safety.
Julie actively contributes to the OSINT community and collaborates with organizations focused on protecting vulnerable populations through operational security and digital awareness.
- Email AJ.b@safeescape.org
TBD
Will Baggett
Will Baggett
Broken Arrow 2026: Detangling Digital Domestic SituationsCyber Security & Insider Threat Program Lead | Digital Forensics Specialist | Former U.S. Intelligence Officer
Will Baggett brings over two decades of experience in digital forensics, threat intelligence, and cyber operations — skills he now applies to one of the most critical and underserved problems in survivor safety: digital exposure to abusive ex-partners.
Will approaches digital safety the way he approaches enterprise security — systematically revoking access, auditing exposure, and detecting unauthorized surveillance. His session gives advocates and survivors a structured offboarding framework for removing an abusive ex-partner’s digital access, visibility, and control.
Will has presented to military, government, and industry audiences on cyber operations, digital forensics, and threat detection. He brings that same operational clarity to the Operation Safe Escape stage — because digital safety isn’t a technical problem. It’s a human one.
Chris Cox
Chris Cox
HostChris Cox is the Director of Operation Safe Escape, founder and past president of the Operations Security Professional's Association, and general security nerd. In addition to his work with OSE, past professional roles include CIO of the U.S. Army National Training Center, Cybersecurity Instructor for the DoD, OPSEC Analyst for the Department of Energy, and multiple other infosec roles.
ProtectCon 2026
"Promoting rights and outcomes through technology, engagement, collaboration, and transformation." ProtectCon 2026 is the fourth iteration of the Operation Safe Escape conference series, which invites experts in safety, security, and tech to share their experience and knowledge with those on the front line of combating domestic violence, stalking, and trafficking. Our mision is to improve the security posture for allies, advocates, and survivors and improve outcomes for all. We believe everyone deserves to be safe AND to feel safe, and we'll work every day to help make that a reality.
Expert Speakers
The speakers are all experts in their respective fields, most with decades of relevant experience to share
Connecting People
Building opportunities to connect with peers and allies to share information and resources