Meet Scott N. Schober, Author of Hacked Again
BBB: Tell us about yourself.
SNS: For the past 15 years I have been the President and CEO of Berkeley Varitronics Systems (BVS), a 43 year old New Jersey-based privately held company providing wireless test and security solutions. I grew up surrounded by computers and got my degree in software engineering, but have always been fascinated with technology. From a very young age, I immersed myself in video games, computer programming, electronics, robotics and have always been intrigued with ‘hacking’ and what makes things ‘tick’. I love reading technical magazines such as Popular Science and Wired to keep up with the latest innovation.
BBB: What inspired your book, Hacked Again?
SNS: After my company Berkeley Varitronics Systems, Inc. (BVS) suffered multiple credit and debit card compromises, $65k taken from our checking account, twitter account hacked, and web site security “tested” by unknown hacker(s), I realized I had become a target for the very cyber hackers I spoke about in the media every day. Through this painful process I learned some valuable lessons on how to better protect my company and myself personally from cyber hackers. Instead of hiding behind the fact my company was hacked, I found that by sharing my story with others, I learned I am not alone. As I connect with other small business owners, friends, and colleagues, I have shared my stories and tips in the hopes that others will not be victimized as I have been. The more I told my story, the more people kept asking me questions and to my surprise, most could relate as victims themselves. Several encouraged me to write a book, which I quickly dismissed at first, but then why not? That started my journey to author Hacked Again.
SNS: For the past 15 years I have been the President and CEO of Berkeley Varitronics Systems (BVS), a 43 year old New Jersey-based privately held company providing wireless test and security solutions. I grew up surrounded by computers and got my degree in software engineering, but have always been fascinated with technology. From a very young age, I immersed myself in video games, computer programming, electronics, robotics and have always been intrigued with ‘hacking’ and what makes things ‘tick’. I love reading technical magazines such as Popular Science and Wired to keep up with the latest innovation.
BBB: What inspired your book, Hacked Again?
SNS: After my company Berkeley Varitronics Systems, Inc. (BVS) suffered multiple credit and debit card compromises, $65k taken from our checking account, twitter account hacked, and web site security “tested” by unknown hacker(s), I realized I had become a target for the very cyber hackers I spoke about in the media every day. Through this painful process I learned some valuable lessons on how to better protect my company and myself personally from cyber hackers. Instead of hiding behind the fact my company was hacked, I found that by sharing my story with others, I learned I am not alone. As I connect with other small business owners, friends, and colleagues, I have shared my stories and tips in the hopes that others will not be victimized as I have been. The more I told my story, the more people kept asking me questions and to my surprise, most could relate as victims themselves. Several encouraged me to write a book, which I quickly dismissed at first, but then why not? That started my journey to author Hacked Again.
BBB: Tell us about your main character.
SNS: Hacked Again is a true story of what I dealt with first hand. As a cybersecurity expert and CEO of a top wireless security tech firm, I share my struggles to understand the motives and mayhem behind my being hacked. By day, I ran a successful security company and I report on the latest cyber breaches in the hopes of offering solace and security tips to millions of viewers. But I quickly began to realize my worst fears are only a hack away as I fell prey to an invisible enemy.
I share my personal account as a business owner, thought leader, and wireless technology expert as my book examines a multitude of cybersecurity issues affecting all of us.
BBB: What other books have you written?
SNS: Hacked Again took approximately two years to author and in the background I was extremely busy running BVS and took short breaks from writing the book. I am a regular cyber security feature contributor to Connected World magazine and also provide articles to publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Daily Beast, NY Daily News, Credit Union Times, The Beverly Hills Times, Newsweek, FoxNews, Business Times, Yahoo Finance… I write weekly cyber security blogs for my company as well as sponsored and guest blogs for other online publishers. I find that with writing, you never quite finish, but do get better and better with the help from reader feedback.
As Hacked Again was nearing completion I received six different requests to talk about Drones and their threats to critical infrastructure and security. After each presentation I was peppered with drone-related questions. The more questions I answered, the more it became apparent that a book was needed. I rolled up my sleeves and started organizing my thoughts specific to the numerous questions people had on drones. Instead of putting my pencil down I decided to write another book with a focus on drones, their technology and security impact on citizens, government and corporations. My goal is to release ‘Don’t Feed The Drones’ before the end of 2016.
BBB: What do you think readers will find most appealing about your book?
SNS: Everywhere I go, I hear of people that have had their credit cards compromised or their ID stolen so I share simple things that they can do to protect themselves to not let it happen again. So I have written Hacked Again to help the every day mom, dad, family, and small business owner to protect their personal data, their credit cards, and their identity. After cleaning up the mess of repeated hacks you begin to feel paranoid, but I have learned that you do not have to fear hackers. You need only take some basic practical steps to stay safe.
BBB: What are you currently working on?
SNS: My day job at BVS is to continue to motivate my team of 30+ engineers and technicians to constantly innovate. The latest area of development is a system to counter distracted driving and alert drivers that are texting or talking on the cell phone while driving. Similar to speeding alert signs, our roadside box is coupled with a directional antenna and a fast scanning detection algorithm that will illuminate a sign alerting drivers that they have been detected on a mobile. This system will be an effective deterrent to drivers that continually ignore the warnings of the dangers of distracted driving. More info will be available soon at www.BVsystems.com
BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?
SNS: www.ScottSchober.com Twitter: @ScottBVS
www.HackedAgain.com Twitter: @HackedAgainBook
http://scottschober.com/blog/ is a link to my Blogs to learn more security tips
I welcome cybersecurity questions and enjoy sharing tips on how to stay safe from being the victim of the next hack.
SNS: Hacked Again is a true story of what I dealt with first hand. As a cybersecurity expert and CEO of a top wireless security tech firm, I share my struggles to understand the motives and mayhem behind my being hacked. By day, I ran a successful security company and I report on the latest cyber breaches in the hopes of offering solace and security tips to millions of viewers. But I quickly began to realize my worst fears are only a hack away as I fell prey to an invisible enemy.
I share my personal account as a business owner, thought leader, and wireless technology expert as my book examines a multitude of cybersecurity issues affecting all of us.
BBB: What other books have you written?
SNS: Hacked Again took approximately two years to author and in the background I was extremely busy running BVS and took short breaks from writing the book. I am a regular cyber security feature contributor to Connected World magazine and also provide articles to publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Daily Beast, NY Daily News, Credit Union Times, The Beverly Hills Times, Newsweek, FoxNews, Business Times, Yahoo Finance… I write weekly cyber security blogs for my company as well as sponsored and guest blogs for other online publishers. I find that with writing, you never quite finish, but do get better and better with the help from reader feedback.
As Hacked Again was nearing completion I received six different requests to talk about Drones and their threats to critical infrastructure and security. After each presentation I was peppered with drone-related questions. The more questions I answered, the more it became apparent that a book was needed. I rolled up my sleeves and started organizing my thoughts specific to the numerous questions people had on drones. Instead of putting my pencil down I decided to write another book with a focus on drones, their technology and security impact on citizens, government and corporations. My goal is to release ‘Don’t Feed The Drones’ before the end of 2016.
BBB: What do you think readers will find most appealing about your book?
SNS: Everywhere I go, I hear of people that have had their credit cards compromised or their ID stolen so I share simple things that they can do to protect themselves to not let it happen again. So I have written Hacked Again to help the every day mom, dad, family, and small business owner to protect their personal data, their credit cards, and their identity. After cleaning up the mess of repeated hacks you begin to feel paranoid, but I have learned that you do not have to fear hackers. You need only take some basic practical steps to stay safe.
BBB: What are you currently working on?
SNS: My day job at BVS is to continue to motivate my team of 30+ engineers and technicians to constantly innovate. The latest area of development is a system to counter distracted driving and alert drivers that are texting or talking on the cell phone while driving. Similar to speeding alert signs, our roadside box is coupled with a directional antenna and a fast scanning detection algorithm that will illuminate a sign alerting drivers that they have been detected on a mobile. This system will be an effective deterrent to drivers that continually ignore the warnings of the dangers of distracted driving. More info will be available soon at www.BVsystems.com
BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?
SNS: www.ScottSchober.com Twitter: @ScottBVS
www.HackedAgain.com Twitter: @HackedAgainBook
http://scottschober.com/blog/ is a link to my Blogs to learn more security tips
I welcome cybersecurity questions and enjoy sharing tips on how to stay safe from being the victim of the next hack.
