Born: 1978 (Cleveland, Ohio)
Biography:
Melanie R. Rieback is a renowned computer scientist known for her groundbreaking work in the field of privacy and security of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. Born on October 26, 1978, in Cleveland, Ohio, Melanie spent her formative years in Florida. Her parents, David John Rieback and Eileen Sharon Rieback, both worked at Bell Labs, undoubtedly influencing Melanie’s interest in the world of technology and innovation.
Melanie’s educational journey began at the University of Miami, where she pursued a Bachelor of Science in both Computer Science and Biology. Her interdisciplinary background provided her with a unique perspective that would later shape her groundbreaking research. In 2003, she earned her Master’s degree in Computer Science from the esteemed Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. Building on her previous academic achievements, Melanie went on to complete her Ph.D. in Computer Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands in 2008.
One of Melanie’s most significant contributions to the field of computer science came through her work on the RFID Guardian project. During her time as a graduate student at Vrije Universiteit, under the supervision of Andrew S. Tanenbaum, she recognized the critical importance of RFID security. In an interview, she emphasized the potential consequences of a breach in RFID technology, stating, If you are using RFID on cows, who cares But, with a passport, it takes one breach at the wrong time and it could wreck it for the RFID industry.
Driven by her vision for a more secure future, Melanie developed the RFID Guardian, a groundbreaking technology that exposes the vulnerabilities and loopholes in RFID security. By jamming the RFID signals, this technology prevents unauthorized access to the tags from a certain distance. However, it is essential to acknowledge that this technology has limitations, as it can only block responses but not kill queries from the tags. It is worth noting that Melanie and her team have no intentions of mass-producing the technology. Instead, they aim to raise awareness about RFID security flaws and encourage the industry to address these concerns.
Melanie’s passion for promoting diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry led her to co-found the Dutch chapter of Girl Geek Dinners, known as Girl Geek Dinner NL. These events were designed to showcase exceptional women in male-dominated fields, featuring talks and Q&A sessions. While primarily open to women, men could attend if invited by a female participant.
In addition to her work on RFID security and promoting gender diversity, Melanie Rieback is the CEO and co-founder of Radically Open Security, a non-profit organization dedicated to making the cyber world more secure. The organization differentiates itself by only accepting non-fishy jobs and providing transparent, step-by-step procedures for companies to follow, enabling them to perform similar tasks without external interference. Furthermore, Radically Open Security offers tools and source code on their website, allowing others to replicate their work, even at the potential cost of repeat business. Their wide range of services includes code audits, cryptographic analysis, forensics, malware reversing, and more.
Throughout her career, Melanie Rieback has made significant contributions to the field of computer science, particularly in the area of RFID security. Her groundbreaking work continues to inspire researchers and practitioners in the quest for a more secure digital landscape. Melanie’s dedication to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the tech industry is equally noteworthy, shedding light on the importance of equal representation and opportunities for women. Her indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to technological advancement make her a trailblazer, leaving an indelible mark on women’s history.