Amulya Shankar

Cybersecurity Producer/Reporter

United States

Information Security professional with a Master’s in Cybersecurity Governance from an international institution with experience delivering cybersecurity solutions to clients and project management involving multiple stakeholders.

Former journalist with experience reporting, radio producing, and writing/publishing articles online. Focus on international events and delivering in-depth reports on cyber threats and trends.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of links to my published work — please get in touch for more information!

Portfolio

Cybersecurity & Technology

The World from PRX
Hacking the hackers

A mysterious group is dumping the tools and identities of the prolific Iranian state hacking group APT34, or OilRig, online. Host Marco Werman speaks with WIRED reporter Andy Greenberg.

The World from PRX
This regulator says the EU isn't afraid to take on Big Tech

The European Union's framework for regulating tech is taking shape faster than policy US. Margrethe Vestager is the European Commissioner for Competition and speaks with host Marco Werman about their goals and recent fines/punishments.

The World from PRX
Scoping the cyberattacks on US electric companies

The Department of Homeland Security released more details about the attacks in 2016 and 2017. Host Marco Werman talks to Robert Lee, CEO of the cybersecurity firm Dragos about what we've learned.

The World from PRX
Hackers infiltrated power grid controls in the US and abroad

Attempts by hackers to break into the energy sector in the US and abroad have made headlines in recent months. According to a report by the cybersecurity firm Symantec, hackers have now successfully infiltrated power grid controls in the US and Turkey.

The World from PRX
08/01/2018
3D guns - The World from PRX

Courts have put a stop to the release of blueprints for a 3D-printed gun. It's a temporary measure - another hearing is scheduled for August 10. Host Marco Werman talks to Wired reporter Andy Greenberg about how easy it is to print a gun with a 3D printer, the possible impact and the ideology of [...]

The World from PRX
Clearing mines and explosives in Mosul

The city of Mosul has been retaken by Iraqi forces, and victory has been declared over ISIS. But some estimates say it could take a decade before Mosul is cleared of the mines and explosives ISIS fighters left behind.

The World from PRX
The 'startup visa' might be gone for good

The US "startup visa" has been delayed before it could go into the effect - possibly permanently - and the technology industry isn't happy. President Barack Obama approved the International Entrepreneur Rule last year during the final weeks of his administration.

The World from PRX
Facebook's 'Safety Check' may enhance our panic

Chances are you'll be alerted to an emergency through a phone notification. Social media can make that news more personal by showing you eyewitness accounts, or even telling you if your friends are safe. But there are cons, too.

Other topics

The World from PRX
Why Ethiopia erupted over a musician's killing

Haacaaluu Hundeessaa was a powerful political voice for the Oromo ethnic group. His death is just the latest in nearly a year of troubling developments in Ethiopia, and has become a rallying cry for the opposition to speak out against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

The World from PRX
Chile's 'COVID-19 card' sparks controversy about immunity

Chile is one of several countries trying to plan ahead for a return to normalcy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Its health ministry has pushed for the use of "immunity passports" so that parts of the population can return to work.

The World from PRX
Wajahat Ali on maintaining one's faith through crises

Wajahat Ali is a writer and lawyer whose Islamic faith was tested last year when he learned his 3-year-old daughter had liver cancer. He tells The World's host Marco Werman what his family's journey taught them maintaining faith through great challenges.

The World from PRX
Border closures, travel restrictions limit relief organizations

Humanitarian organizations around the world are geared toward helping pople. But now, these organizations are facing their own challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic, like planning for possible supply chain shortages and having to quickly review staff travel.

The World from PRX
CIA Director Gina Haspel's memos detailing torture declassified

Graphic memos sent by CIA Director Gina Haspel describing the torture of a suspected terrorist in 2002 have been declassified. Questions about her role in so-called "enhanced interrogation" rose after she was nominated as CIA director.

The World from PRX
How does seeking asylum work at the US border?

After weeks of travel across Mexico by bus, freight train and foot, more than 150 migrants from Central America await their turn to apply for asylum at the Southern US border. Just how does the process work?

The World from PRX
Ahed Tamimi: A new symbol of Palestinian resistance?

A 16-year-old Palestinian girl is looking at the possibility of a very long prison sentence in an Israeli jail. But what sets Ahed Tamimi apart from many of her peers is that people around the world might recognize her face.

The World from PRX
How countries around the world translated Trump

President Donald Trump reportedly lashed out at immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador, and African countries with a profane outburst during a meeting with lawmakers. A UN spokesman later condemned the "shameful" remarks.

The World from PRX
The surprising history of the green card lottery

Shortly after the vehicle attack in New York on Tuesday, President Donald Trump took to Twitter to react: "The terrorist came into our country through what is called the 'Diversity Visa Lottery Program,' a Chuck Schumer beauty. I want merit based."

The World from PRX
How to help Puerto Rico after Maria

It's been a week since Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, damaging homes and roads and destroying the island's power grid. The official count puts the number of people killed at 16, but hundreds of people are still missing, and families are desperate to hear news of their whereabouts.

The World from PRX
Removing racist statues is 'taking history to task' in South Africa

Americans are debating whether Confederate monuments should appear in public places. In South Africa, statues celebrating British imperialists and architects of apartheid have also faced calls for removal. A University of Cape Town student explains why that's so important.

The World from PRX
There were Indian troops at Dunkirk, too

The new "Dunkirk" movie may be a hit, but there's controversy in Britain and India that the Indian troops have been whitewashed out of the movie. The World fact-checks the film and discusses why it's important to move beyond Western perceptions of World War II.

The World from PRX
Canada turns 150, but indigenous groups call for 'Resistance150'

Canada turns 150 tomorrow, and the government is spending half a billion dollars to throw huge birthday parties all around the country. But not everyone's thrilled. Indigenous people have clashed with police while protesting what they call a celebration of colonialism.

The World from PRX
The Comey hearing isn't making waves in Russia

Bars opened early to accommodate watchers and Twitter exploded with commentary as thousands of Americans tuned in to watch former FBI Director James Comey testify before the Senate on Thursday.

The World from PRX
Iraq's army is fighting ISIS with bulldozers

In the city of Mosul, the fight between Iraqi forces and ISIS fighters unfolds block by block - and bulldozers are leading the charge. Mosul is critical to both sides and, although ISIS retains control over only a few neighborhoods in the western part of city, its fighters are entrenched, digging trenches and planting bombs along the streets.

The World from PRX
5 ways to respond when you witness hate or harassment

Two good Samaritans were fatally stabbed in Portland on May 26 while trying to help two young women being harassed by a white supremacist. Police say Jeremy Joseph Christian began shouting at the two women - one of whom was wearing a hijab - using "hate speech or biased language."

The World from PRX
White House budget slashes program to fight violent extremism at home

The suspect in the Manchester bombing, Salman Abedi, wasn't unknown to UK counterterrorism officials. But members of his community expressed concern. That kind of behavior is exactly what the "Countering Violent Extremism" program wants to encourage in the US.

The World from PRX
Ahead of meeting with NATO, leaders question Trump's intentions

Candidate Donald Trump called NATO "obsolete," demanded allies step up their defense spending, and threatened to back out of the alliance. He's meeting with NATO leaders as president for the first time in Brussels on Thursday, and some member countries are still bracing for another unexpected pivot.

The World from PRX
Russia is ready to 'fight dirty'

The US intelligence community, still reeling from the firing of FBI Director James Comey last week, is now worried that a disclosure by President Donald Trump could put the US relationship with other intelligence agencies at risk.