On this episode of Mistaken Identity, Mike Kiser is joined by Katherine Teitler, VP of Research and Advisory at TAG Cyber. Her recent research illustrates the shifting role of identity—from an IT process to a foundational approach for security. While that’s the starting point, the conversation roams into disinformation, “sources of truth,” identity profiling via personal musical history, and, of course, the oldest instrument in the world: a neanderthal flute. Identity, as always, is a richer topic than we imagine.

Many people assume that there is some magic formula for success in identity. Is it having the right degree? Is it knowing the right people? Is it having a ”Particular set of skills?" Today on Mistaken Identity, we interview three sets of people who are imminently unqualified at first glance. They’ve come from outside the expected backgrounds, the expected channels: their stories vary widely, but they have all found themselves thriving within the identity space. Three pairs of people. Three sets of stories. Six unique journeys into identity. All on this single episode of Mistaken Identity.

A new season of Mistaken Identity is here with a special focus on election security, voting systems, and their impact on democracy. We have a range of guests coming to explain the ins and outs of election observing, online voting, and the current state of election security both in the United States and throughout the world. (Yes, that’s a big topic—and one that has surprising parallels to other forms of identity and security.) In this episode, Dr. Susan Hyde, a Professor of Political Science from UC Berkeley, explains how Election Observers act as “auditors” of Election Security. She discusses some of her own experiences observing in Afghanistan, Albania, Indonesia, Liberia, Nicaragua, Pakistan and Venezuela. We then explore the role that Observers have played in the rise (and subsequent regression) in democracy throughout the world—including in the U.S. Finally, we outline the challenges that online voting may present to Election Observation.

Lawyer, Cyber Security and Privacy maven Liz Wharton regales us with tales of her hand-to-hand combat experience with the Atlanta Ransomware of 2018, and then unfolds the current state of facial recognition in all its manifold splendor. (And we didn’t even get to cover the security of drones, yet another of her areas of expertise.) Also: the latest update on a voting app failure (no, not that one), and what a new ransomware variant demands — full disclosure . . . it’s full disclosure. As Liz would say, “Shut the front door!” — it’s a wild ride on this episode of Mistaken Identity.