GT ISSA February Meeting

Presentation Title: Unmasking the Artificial: Forensic Defense Against Deepfake Imagery

Abstract

As generative AI technologies like GANs and diffusion models reach unprecedented levels of photorealism, the line between genuine photography and synthetic fabrication has blurred, creating a crisis of trust in digital media. This presentation explores the evolving landscape of digital image forensics, moving beyond simple visual inspection to rigorous scientific detection methods. We will examine the principles of "Camera Ballistics" and Photo Response Non-Uniformity (PRNU), which use unique sensor noise to fingerprint specific devices with court-admissible accuracy. We will contrast these established methods with emerging AI-specific detection techniques, such as frequency domain analysis and model fingerprinting, which can attribute synthetic images to specific generators like DALL·E or Midjourney. Finally, we will discuss the shift toward cryptographic provenance via the C2PA standard, differentiating between hardware-embedded credentials and software-based assertions. Attendees will leave with a practical understanding of the tools and methodologies required to authenticate digital media and maintain the chain of custody in an increasingly synthetic world.

BIO

Kenneth G. Hartman is an independent security consultant based in Traverse City, Michigan. Ken’s motto is “I help my clients earn and maintain the trust of their customers in its products and services.” Toward this end, he consults on a comprehensive program portfolio of technical security initiatives focused on securing client data in the public cloud. Ken has worked for a variety of Cloud Service Providers in Architecture, Engineering, Compliance, and Security Product Management roles.

As a SANS Certified Instructor for SEC488: Cloud Security Essentials and SEC510: Public Cloud Security: AWS, Azure, & GCP, Ken has also been the co-chair of the 2019 SANS Cloud Security Operations Solutions Forum, the 2019 and 2020 SANS Cloud & DevOps Security Summits.

For the previous decade, up until July 2011, he helped to build a start-up company called Visonex into a profitable, nation-wide dialysis-specific electronic medical record using a software-as-a-service (SaaS) business model. In addition to managing the inception and delivery of multiple product innovations, Ken was responsible for all aspects of assuring the security and privacy of both the internal IT systems and the company’s SaaS offerings. Prior to helping launch Visonex, Ken worked as a corporate Electrical Systems Manager for Kraft Foods where he helped to secure the plant floor automation systems.

Ken holds a BS Electrical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and a Master’s Degree in Information Security Engineering from SANS Technology Institute. Ken has earned the CISSP, as well as multiple GIAC security certifications, including the GIAC Security Expert.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Grand Traverse ISSA