ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DEVCON, a cybersecurity software company dedicated to defeating ad fraud and preserving independent journalism, today announced that one of the nation’s foremost authorities on cyber crime, Michael F.D. Anaya, has joined its team as the Head of Global Cyber Investigations and Government Relations. Anaya comes to DEVCON as a Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Cyber division. His hire coincides with DEVCON’s recent close of seed funding to aggressively fight online ad fraud.
“We are delighted that Michael decided to join our team,” said Maggie Louie, DEVCON co-founder and CEO. “After working together on a case involving more than 30 fake ad networks distributing millions of attacks collectively, we recognized the unique skillset and insights Michael offers. He is the perfect fit as we seek to stop one of the world’s fastest growing and most costly cyber crimes -- one that has a profound impact on advertisers, media companies, and consumers alike.”
Anaya previously served as a Special Agent in the FBI’s Los Angeles field office addressing complex Cyber matters for eight years, during which time he led numerous, expansive investigations including one that resulted in the first federal conviction of a U.S. person for the use of a peer-to-peer (P2P) botnet. He then was named a Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) for the Leadership Development Program, trusted with bringing together disparate divisions of the FBI, focused on a workforce development initiative. This resulted in a more balanced and inclusive program. After implementation of the program, SSA Anaya went on to lead a Cyber squad in the FBI’s Atlanta field office. There, he led a diverse group of Agents, Intel Analysts, and Computer Scientists in neutralizing Nation State and Criminal threat. He secured one of the highest performance standards given by the FBI to a program for the entire FBI Atlanta Cyber program. SSA Anaya also helped the program achieve a top-five ranking in statistical accomplishments amongst the 56 FBI field offices.
“The prevalence of online ad theft and fraud is on rise globally, and everyone will feel its impact,” said Anaya. “This is just the beginning. Right now, no one knows what to do or how to overcome some of the shocking, highly sophisticated, and costly attacks that are starting to rear their heads, much like the early days of credit card fraud. I see the potential to attack and end this incredibly destructive problem before it becomes an epidemic. DEVCON has a unique opportunity to make a dramatic difference in the future of online activity and reduction of cyber crime, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Anaya will join the Atlanta-based DEVCON team, which is comprised of white hat hackers, information security experts, adtech experts, and digital media executives who are resolutely focused on solving the publishing industry's most costly problem: an estimated $19 billion stolen each year by advertising cyber criminals. While software providers have sought to combat ad fraud for years, DEVCON is the first to reliably trace fraudulent activity back to its source. Following the money and treating ad fraud as criminal activity, DEVCON has helped law enforcement facilitate the first-ever conviction for online ad theft and money laundering, resulting in a four-year prison sentence.
Anaya will lead a team focused on investigating online ad theft on the global scale as well as facilitating interactions with the U.S. government and its investigative units.
To learn more, please visit www.devcondetect.com.
About DEVCON
Founded in 2017, DEVCON is a cybersecurity software company whose proprietary technology empowers publishers to maximize their advertising revenues by identifying and eliminating fraudulent ads within their networks. The product of some of the most influential newsrooms in America, the DEVCON team is a veteran mix of media executives, white hat hackers and IT pros firmly dedicated to the longevity and prosperity of journalism. DEVCON joined the 2018 Engage cohort and became an ATDC signature company. It is also a Techstars Barclay London 2018 alumni. DEVCON's FREEDOM for MEDIA program offers publishers a free tool to identify ad fraud as it happens in their networks, while the company's premium platform enables tracking and blocking of Bad Ads. Beyond digital revenue protection for publishers, DEVCON brings powerful anti-money laundering software to the FinTech sector, having aided law enforcement in facilitating the first-ever criminal conviction for online ad theft. DEVCON is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with additional offices in Memphis, Tennessee.
