Cybersecurity Expert Removed from Black Hat and Code Blue Review Boards Following Epstein Document Release
Vincenzo Iozzo, a prominent cybersecurity researcher with documented connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has been removed from the review boards of Black Hat and Code Blue, two major international cybersecurity conferences.
As of this week, Iozzo no longer appears on the official review board pages of either conference. He had served on the Black Hat review board since 2011, according to his professional profile. Both conferences listed him as a board member as recently as last week.
In a statement provided through a spokesperson, Iozzo stated that he informed Black Hat he "will not willingly resign" and welcomed "a full investigation." Black Hat representatives have not responded to requests for comment regarding the removal.
Professional Background
Iozzo, currently founder and CEO of cybersecurity startup SlashID, has established a significant career in the information security industry:
• Authored one of the first research manuals for iOS security analysis
• Founded cybersecurity startup IperLane in 2015
• Served as senior director at CrowdStrike for nearly four years following IperLane's acquisition
• Active member of the security research community since the early 2010s
Document Release and Connections
Iozzo's name appears in over 2,300 documents released by the Department of Justice on January 30 as part of legally mandated disclosure from the investigation into the late financier and sex trafficker. The documents contain multiple email exchanges spanning from October 2014 through December 2018.
Notably, emails show that Iozzo attempted to arrange meetings with Epstein at his New York residence in late 2018, after major news outlets published detailed allegations that Epstein had abused more than 60 women, including minors.
FBI Informant Report
Among the released materials, an FBI informant report claimed that Epstein maintained a "personal hacker." While the document is heavily redacted and does not explicitly name individuals, identifying details within the report have led to speculation that the informant was referring to Iozzo. Italian publication Il Corriere della Sera identified Iozzo as the likely redacted individual in their coverage.
It is critical to note that these informant claims were never confirmed by the FBI and may contain inaccuracies. No evidence in the released emails suggests Iozzo engaged in illegal activities on Epstein's behalf.
Iozzo's Statement
In his official statement, Iozzo acknowledged knowing Epstein for "professional reasons" but categorically denied being his hacker or performing any hacking services for him.
"We were introduced in 2014 when I was a 25-year-old at MIT fundraising for my startup, by people whom I trusted and admired," the statement reads. "Because of this, I failed to ask the right questions that, in retrospect, seem obvious. I foolishly accepted the narrative that was presented to me by others that greatly minimized the magnitude of his horrific actions."
Iozzo further stated: "My interactions with Epstein were limited to business opportunities that never materialized, as well as discussions of the markets and emerging technologies. I never observed nor participated in any illegal activity or behavior."
Conference Response
Code Blue spokesperson Ken-ichi Saito confirmed the removal, stating the conference had been "preparing for this update for several months" to remove Iozzo and two other review board members "who had not been active." Saito characterized the timing as coincidental with the Epstein document release.
Iozzo's spokesperson, Joan Vollero, stated that "Mr. Iozzo welcomed an independent investigation from Black Hat, rather than a knee-jerk removal decision, because he is confident that he would be cleared through that process."
Context on Epstein
Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting sex from minors as young as 14 and registered as a sex offender. In 2019, following renewed investigations, the Justice Department formally charged him with trafficking, exploiting, and abusing dozens of underage girls. Epstein died in federal custody later that year.
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