Lillian Ablon is an information scientist at the RAND Corporation. She conducts technical and policy research on topics spanning cyber security, emerging technologies, privacy and security in the digital age, computer network operations, digital exhaust, and the human element. Recent research topics include longevity and collision rates of zero-day software vulnerabilities and their exploits; cyber risks to the supply chain; coverages and risks of cyber insurance; consumer attitudes towards data breach notifications; the intersection of commercial technology companies and public policy; black markets for cybercrime tools and stolen data as well as the white, grey, and black markets for zero-day exploits; social engineering and open source intelligence; methods for zero-day vulnerability detection; tools and technologies for greater cyber situational awareness; future and emerging technologies and the 2020-2040 operating environment; and privacy concerns with digital identity. Prior to joining RAND, Ablon worked with some of the most cutting edge technologies in cryptography, network exploitation and vulnerability analysis, and mathematics. She won an “uber” black badge at DEFCON21 and holds a B.A. in mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.S. in mathematics from Johns Hopkins University.
