Wonk Security
Social Science and Technology on a Mission.
Welcome to Wonk Security
My name is Cody J. Wilson, and I am an intelligence analyst and applied social science researcher drawing on expertise in international security and online threat actors to counter both digital and physical threats. I thrive where intelligence tradecraft meets engineering: identifying the details that matter most in open-source investigations, communicating my findings to senior leaders and executives, and most importantly building the tooling and automations that lets my team do work faster and at greater scale. My background fuses mixed-methods social science research with a technical toolkit I have cultivated over the past decade: advanced OSINT techniques, data analysis, and tool and automation development.
I possess a BA in political science and an MS in global studies and international relations. I previously worked on terrorist attack attributions used in federal litigation; co-authored published research on violent non-state actors, information operations, and technology policy (including work in Lawfare); designed and facilitated wargames and tabletop exercises; and built trainings so other analysts could do technically demanding investigative work. More recently I have been focused on providing crisis response services for a client in Trust and Safety and building automations and investigative tools that shift my team’s threat detection work from reactive to proactive. I am a member of the the Association of International Risk Intelligence Professionals (AIRIP) and the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC).
As a social scientist and policy wonk at heart, I love to dig into the details of complex topics to understand how they work, so if you’re interested in learning more about the intersection of data, technology, and security then feel free to have a look around or connect with me on LinkedIn. This site plays host to some of my most recent research papers and reports as well as a full curriculum vitae with an up-to-date list of my accomplishments and publications. You can also check out my blog for some shorter form analysis.
Note: Views expressed here are my own and do not represent my current or previous employers/clients.
A Bit About Me
A diversified career path and skillset driven by curiosity and a desire to learn.
National Security Analyst and Consultant
Extensive knowledge about violent non-state actors and information operations; designer of tabletop exercises; seasoned wargame facilitator; OSINT practitioner; served government, military, university, and private sector clients.
Social Science Researcher
MS in Global Studies and International Relations, BA in Political Science, multiple research publications, experience using qualitative and quantitative research methods and analytical frameworks, ever-expanding skillset now including elements of complex systems theory.
Proud Geek and Student of All Things Tech
Knowledge of R, SQL, Python, QGIS, virtualization, and Linux; life-long geek, gamer, and builder of custom PCs; and a lover of all things open source.
Read more about my background and skills.
What I’m Up To
Blog
Check out what’s going on over on my blog.
Visit the Blog
Research
Read some of my in-depth research.
Visit the Research Page
Contact
Reach out here or connect on social media.