James Dolan (computer security expert)
James Dolan | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 20, 1981 |
| Died | December 27, 2017 (aged 36) |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | James S. Dolan dolanjs |
| Occupation | Computer security expert |
| Years active | 2006–2017 |
| Organization | Freedom of the Press Foundation |
| Known for | Co-developer of SecureDrop |
James S. Dolan (July 20, 1981 – December 27, 2017) was an American computer security expert who, with Aaron Swartz and Kevin Poulsen, co-developed SecureDrop, a widely used secure digital platform for sources to anonymously submit materials to journalists.[1]
Early life
Dolan grew up in Chester, New York.[2]
Career
From 1999 to 2006, Dolan served with the Marines in two deployments during the Iraq War[3] where he worked as a data network specialist. James served with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force during the initial war in 2003 and also served with 4th CAG in 2004 and 2005 in Fallujah. [2]
Dolan worked in computer security at a large IT company.[4]
As a side project in 2012, Dolan helped develop the open source SecureDrop, initially known as DeadDrop.[5] In 2013, SecureDrop moved it to the Freedom of the Press Foundation to ensure its continued development and adoption following the death of fellow developer Aaron Swartz.[6][7] Dolan was the lead maintainer for DeadDrop, and as the Freedom of the Press Foundation's first employee, performed outreach and assisted in installations for news organizations that included The New Yorker, ProPublica, The Washington Post, VICE News, among others.[8][9][10]
In 2015, Dolan moved to San Diego, California to work as head of security at Classy, an American software company and an online fundraising platform designed for nonprofit organizations, a position he held at the time of his death.[1]
Death
Dolan was found dead in a Brooklyn hotel in December 2017 at the age of 36.[1][11] Former colleagues speculate James committed suicide (the same fate as Swartz). He reportedly suffered from PTSD from his time in the Marines.[1] Dolan was the second member of the SecureDrop team to commit suicide.[2] A GoFundMe fund was set up by his fellow Marines to establish the James Dolan Memorial Fund, which will annually donate to designated non-profit foundations and projects in his name.[12]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Timm, Trevor (9 January 2018). "A tribute to James Dolan, co-creator of SecureDrop, who has tragically passed away at age 36". Freedom of the Press Foundation.
- ^ a b c Vincent, Isabel (28 January 2018). "These hackers' suicides are eerily similar". New York Post.
- ^ Association, Inc First Marine Division (2008). First Marine Division Association, Inc.: Membership Directory, 2009. AuthorHouse, First Marine Division Association, Inc. ISBN 978-1-438-93093-0.
- ^ Gilmour, David (9 January 2018). "James Dolan, who co-created SecureDrop, dead at 36". The Daily Dot.
- ^ Poulsen, Kevin (14 May 2013). "Strongbox and Aaron Swartz". The New Yorker.
- ^ Robinson, Garrett; Dolan, James (17 August 2014). "SecureDrop's Garrett Robinson and James Dolan – at Aaron Swartz Day 2013". Aaron Swartz Day.
- ^ Robinson, Garrett; Dolan, James (8 November 2013). "SecureDrop's Garrett Robinson and James Dolan – at Aaron Swartz Day 2013" (Video). Aaron Swartz Day.
- ^ Timm, Trevor; Reitman, Rainey (15 October 2013). "Freedom of the Press Foundation Launches SecureDrop, an Open-Source Submission Platform for Whistleblowers" (Press release). Freedom of the Press Foundation.
- ^ Gustin, Sam (15 October 2013). "Meet SecureDrop, a New Lock Box for Whistleblowers". Time.
- ^ ssteele (6 December 2016). "Tor at the Heart: SecureDrop". Tor Blog.
- ^ Menegus, Bryan (9 January 2018). "James Dolan, Co-Creator of SecureDrop, Dead at 36". Gizmodo.
- ^ "James Dolan Memorial Fund". GoFundMe. 12 January 2018.