James Pavur

James Pavur

Hacker, Engineer, Civic Technologist

Hello!

I’m an engineer, security researcher, and policy wonk. I’m fascinated by the often invisible layer of technology that underpins modern life.

This is my personal site which I use to share what I’m up to, both in terms of professional work and personal projects - welcome!

Interests
  • Space Systems Security
  • Technology Policy
  • Software Engineering
  • Embedded Security
Education
  • DPhil, Computer Science, 2022

    University of Oxford, Rhodes Scholarship

  • Bachelor of Science, Foreign Service, 2016

    Georgetown University

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
CYSEC
Director of CYSEC Lab
September 2025 – February 2026 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
Launched a new R&D office in Luxembourg for CYSEC, a leading satellite cybersecurity product company.
 
 
 
 
 
US Department of State
Presidential Innovation Fellow (GS-15)
June 2024 – September 2025 Washington, DC
Embedded as a technical expert and senior advisor withing the Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology. I provided technical guidance to US and international leaders to support the development of safe, secure and trustworthy AI systems.
 
 
 
 
 
Istari Digital
Principal Engineer
May 2023 – June 2024 Virginia
I served as Lead Engineer for the Security & Infrastructure team in a rapidly growing digital engineering startup. Did a lot of different things as the company rapidly grew, from owning technical aspects of product security to supervising software engineers and developing next-generation systems for building physical things in a digital way.
 
 
 
 
 
Defense Digital Service, Office of the Secretary of Defense
Digital Service Expert (GS-15)
January 2022 – April 2023 Washington, DC
I advised senior DOD leadership on diverse technology matters as part of “a SWAT team of nerds” within the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
 
 
 
 
 
The Corp (_Students of Georgetown Inc._)
Director of Information Security
April 2014 – January 2017 Washington, DC
I oversaw security for an entirely student-run 501(c) non-profit with more than 300 employees and $5 million annual revenues. Prior to taking on the security role, I supervised 17 direct engineering reports as GM of IT (2015-2016) and developed web and mobile applications.
 
 
 
 
 
Other Stuff!
January 2013 – January 2017
I’ve done bunch of other fun things in part time jobs and internships. Working a library IT help desk, investigating cyber crimes with the US Postal Service, hacking HVAC controllers, etc.

Selected Press

The Financial Times | John Thornhill
A Global Satellite Blackout is a Real Threat — Can Hackers Help?
Bloomberg: The Big Take (Podcast) | Wes Kosova
How A Satellite Hack Became a Cybersecurity Wakeup Call
The New York Times | Kashmir Hill
Want Your Personal Data? Hand Over More Please.

Contact

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or ideas. I’m often available for ad-hoc consulting, teaching and speaking engagements and always happy to chat about new ideas.

  • james@<the_domain_you're_on_right_now>