Runa Sandvik
@runasand.bsky.social
Founder of Granitt, securing journalists and at-risk people around the world.
61 flights, 7 new countries, 1 around-the-world trip. Can’t wait to see what 2026 brings.
December 30, 2025 at 9:11 AM
61 flights, 7 new countries, 1 around-the-world trip. Can’t wait to see what 2026 brings.
Excited to be running a workshop on digital security and source protection for investigative journalists in Sweden next year! More info👇 for those who are local.
December 19, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Excited to be running a workshop on digital security and source protection for investigative journalists in Sweden next year! More info👇 for those who are local.
My latest for Journalist and Spy: Mikhail Vasenkov was a news photographer, professor, and Russian spy. Part of the Illegals Program and arrested by the FBI in 2010. After he died in 2022, the SVR said he helped obtain "valuable political information." www.journalistandspy.com/p/mikhail-va...
Mikhail Vasenkov
Mikhail Vasenkov was a freelance news photographer, adjunct professor, and Russian spy.
www.journalistandspy.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:56 PM
My latest for Journalist and Spy: Mikhail Vasenkov was a news photographer, professor, and Russian spy. Part of the Illegals Program and arrested by the FBI in 2010. After he died in 2022, the SVR said he helped obtain "valuable political information." www.journalistandspy.com/p/mikhail-va...
I always love seeing what journalism students pull off with the right training and support. This team tracked Russian vessels in Europe and connected them to drone swarms over military bases. www.digitaldigging.org/p/they-drone...
They Droned Back
Young journalists expose Russian-linked vessels circling off the Dutch and German coast
www.digitaldigging.org
December 12, 2025 at 2:28 PM
I always love seeing what journalism students pull off with the right training and support. This team tracked Russian vessels in Europe and connected them to drone swarms over military bases. www.digitaldigging.org/p/they-drone...
I’ve been told that according to Bjørn Hallstrøm, the computer system used to communicate with his handlers at the CIA in the 1980s/1990s was called “Shamrock.” Does this sound familiar to anyone? www.journalistandspy.com/p/bjrn-halls...
Bjørn Hallstrøm
Bjørn Hallstrøm is a Norwegian marketing manager, TV producer, and self-proclaimed former CIA agent.
www.journalistandspy.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:12 PM
I’ve been told that according to Bjørn Hallstrøm, the computer system used to communicate with his handlers at the CIA in the 1980s/1990s was called “Shamrock.” Does this sound familiar to anyone? www.journalistandspy.com/p/bjrn-halls...
Me in Spain on a random Sunday.
November 17, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Me in Spain on a random Sunday.
It’s been a year since I wrote this guide for @gijn.org on security best practices for investigative journalists, all of which is still very accurate. Check it out if you haven’t, consider reviewing if it’s been a while. gijn.org/resource/int...
Introduction to Investigative Journalism: Digital Security
Digital security may seem a little daunting at first, but increased security will help investigative journalists build trust with — and protect — current and future sources.
gijn.org
November 11, 2025 at 5:56 PM
It’s been a year since I wrote this guide for @gijn.org on security best practices for investigative journalists, all of which is still very accurate. Check it out if you haven’t, consider reviewing if it’s been a while. gijn.org/resource/int...
My latest for Journalist and Spy: Pablo González, Russian-Spanish journalist, alleged GRU agent. Wrote for EU + U.S. media, @drewhinshaw.bsky.social & Joe Parkinson say he began working for GRU in 2010. Arrested in Poland in '22, swapped with Russia in '24. www.journalistandspy.com/p/pablo-gonz...
Pablo González
Pablo González is a Russian-Spanish journalist and an alleged agent of the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence agency.
www.journalistandspy.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:57 PM
My latest for Journalist and Spy: Pablo González, Russian-Spanish journalist, alleged GRU agent. Wrote for EU + U.S. media, @drewhinshaw.bsky.social & Joe Parkinson say he began working for GRU in 2010. Arrested in Poland in '22, swapped with Russia in '24. www.journalistandspy.com/p/pablo-gonz...
Igor Rogov, who claimed to be a Russian opposition activist when he was arrested in Poland last summer, "has admitted he worked as an undercover agent" for the FSB and "informed on other opposition figures." Rogov is due to go on trial next month. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Russian activist held in Poland admits he worked as FSB agent, court papers say
Igor Rogov, who left Russia in 2021, due to go on trial accused of informing on other Russian opposition activists
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Igor Rogov, who claimed to be a Russian opposition activist when he was arrested in Poland last summer, "has admitted he worked as an undercover agent" for the FSB and "informed on other opposition figures." Rogov is due to go on trial next month. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
If you're not familiar with Masih Alinejad's work and the story of how the Iranian government paid two Russian men $500,000 to kill her in 2022, I recommend reading this piece. The men were sentenced to 25 years in prison in a New York courtroom yesterday. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Two Russians sentenced to 25 years for plot to kill Iranian dissident in US
Mobsters Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov plotted to assassinate Masih Alinejad at her New York home
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:30 PM
If you're not familiar with Masih Alinejad's work and the story of how the Iranian government paid two Russian men $500,000 to kill her in 2022, I recommend reading this piece. The men were sentenced to 25 years in prison in a New York courtroom yesterday. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Peter Williams, former exec at Trenchant, has pleaded guilty to two counts of stealing trade secrets and selling them to a Russian broker. Williams "even agreed to provide three months’ worth of support or software updates to the products he sold." www.wired.com/story/peter-...
October 30, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Peter Williams, former exec at Trenchant, has pleaded guilty to two counts of stealing trade secrets and selling them to a Russian broker. Williams "even agreed to provide three months’ worth of support or software updates to the products he sold." www.wired.com/story/peter-...
Been a while since we heard from Memento Labs / Hacking Team! This time a government client was caught using an “outdated version of the Windows spyware” and the CEO is “not sure which of the company’s customers were caught.” techcrunch.com/2025/10/28/c...
October 29, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Been a while since we heard from Memento Labs / Hacking Team! This time a government client was caught using an “outdated version of the Windows spyware” and the CEO is “not sure which of the company’s customers were caught.” techcrunch.com/2025/10/28/c...
iOS with Lockdown Mode is still the best defense we have against sophisticated spyware. Here's a snippet from @micahflee.com's keynote at @bsidespdx.bsky.social a few days ago. micahflee.com/practical-de...
October 27, 2025 at 3:31 PM
iOS with Lockdown Mode is still the best defense we have against sophisticated spyware. Here's a snippet from @micahflee.com's keynote at @bsidespdx.bsky.social a few days ago. micahflee.com/practical-de...
Exploit development shop Trenchant, owned by L3Harris, lost a bunch of internal tools in a “damaging leak” recently. A former employee was targeted with spyware, he claims the company designated him as a scapegoat. This should be bigger news, imo. techcrunch.com/2025/10/21/a...
October 22, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Exploit development shop Trenchant, owned by L3Harris, lost a bunch of internal tools in a “damaging leak” recently. A former employee was targeted with spyware, he claims the company designated him as a scapegoat. This should be bigger news, imo. techcrunch.com/2025/10/21/a...
My latest for Journalist and Spy: Bjørn Hallstrøm is a Norwegian TV producer and self-proclaimed spy. He says CIA in 80s-90s asked him to infiltrate groups in Afghanistan, Colombia, Cuba, Kuwait, Libya, and funded shows he sold to media in the Nordics. www.journalistandspy.com/p/bjrn-halls...
Bjørn Hallstrøm
Bjørn Hallstrøm is a Norwegian marketing manager, TV producer, and self-proclaimed former CIA agent.
www.journalistandspy.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:10 PM
My latest for Journalist and Spy: Bjørn Hallstrøm is a Norwegian TV producer and self-proclaimed spy. He says CIA in 80s-90s asked him to infiltrate groups in Afghanistan, Colombia, Cuba, Kuwait, Libya, and funded shows he sold to media in the Nordics. www.journalistandspy.com/p/bjrn-halls...
I’ve followed various coverage of Havana Syndrome over the years; still interesting to hear what @jenniferpforde.bsky.social and @bungey.bsky.social uncovered in their podcast ‘Havana Helmet Club’ (and I loved ‘West Cork’ from a few years ago). www.bbc.com/audio/brand/...
BBC Audio | Havana Helmet Club
Listen to the latest episodes of Havana Helmet Club on BBC Audio
www.bbc.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:17 PM
I’ve followed various coverage of Havana Syndrome over the years; still interesting to hear what @jenniferpforde.bsky.social and @bungey.bsky.social uncovered in their podcast ‘Havana Helmet Club’ (and I loved ‘West Cork’ from a few years ago). www.bbc.com/audio/brand/...
Been really enjoying this new book about Gunvor Galtung Haavik, a nurse turned secretary for the Norwegian MoFA in Moscow — and KGB spy for 30 years. The KGB used her to get closer to Americans, including Marion Peacock, Lloyd Eddenfield, Bernie G. Britain, and Roy Rhodes.
October 8, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Been really enjoying this new book about Gunvor Galtung Haavik, a nurse turned secretary for the Norwegian MoFA in Moscow — and KGB spy for 30 years. The KGB used her to get closer to Americans, including Marion Peacock, Lloyd Eddenfield, Bernie G. Britain, and Roy Rhodes.
I’m very excited to discuss journalism and source protection at the @gijn.org conference in Kuala Lumpur next month, alongside @sandrine-rigaud.bsky.social, @thesignalsnetwork.bsky.social, @pm-arnaud.bsky.social, and @paulradu.bsky.social. gijn.org/stories/gijc...
GIJC25 Program Launches — Two Nobel Laureates and African War Crimes Expert Are Featured Speakers
Journalism pioneer Maria Ressa, famed economist Joseph Stiglitz, and UN Rwanda Tribunal prosecutor Charles Adeogun-Phillips headline the top experts on the conference's program.
gijn.org
October 7, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I’m very excited to discuss journalism and source protection at the @gijn.org conference in Kuala Lumpur next month, alongside @sandrine-rigaud.bsky.social, @thesignalsnetwork.bsky.social, @pm-arnaud.bsky.social, and @paulradu.bsky.social. gijn.org/stories/gijc...
Spent the last week in Taiwan! Such a beautiful country and lots of delicious food. Would love to visit again! 🇹🇼
October 7, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Spent the last week in Taiwan! Such a beautiful country and lots of delicious food. Would love to visit again! 🇹🇼
Working on my skydiving license in between security assessments, keynotes, and research. Here’s my first jump in Empuriabrava, Spain with two instructors and my own parachute.
August 11, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Working on my skydiving license in between security assessments, keynotes, and research. Here’s my first jump in Empuriabrava, Spain with two instructors and my own parachute.
Thanks to ODA-Nettverk for inviting me to keynote Inspiration Day yesterday! Really enjoyed being back in Oslo and talking about the importance of end-to-end encryption.
May 29, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Thanks to ODA-Nettverk for inviting me to keynote Inspiration Day yesterday! Really enjoyed being back in Oslo and talking about the importance of end-to-end encryption.
Had the pleasure of being a guest on the Adventures of Alice & Bob Podcast recently! Check out the interview for stories about my work with journalists and high-risk people — and that one time I hacked a smart-rifle in 2015. www.beyondtrust.com/podcast/ep-7...
Ep. 79 - Hacking Rifles and Protecting Reporters //… | BeyondTrust
BeyondTrust’s Privileged Access Management platform protects your organization from unwanted remote access, stolen credentials, and misused privileges
www.beyondtrust.com
May 27, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Had the pleasure of being a guest on the Adventures of Alice & Bob Podcast recently! Check out the interview for stories about my work with journalists and high-risk people — and that one time I hacked a smart-rifle in 2015. www.beyondtrust.com/podcast/ep-7...
The Kaspersky researchers who discovered Careto more than a decade ago privately concluded that the group was run by the Spanish government. Careto relied heavily on phishing emails impersonating Spanish newspapers. techcrunch.com/2025/05/23/m...
May 26, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The Kaspersky researchers who discovered Careto more than a decade ago privately concluded that the group was run by the Spanish government. Careto relied heavily on phishing emails impersonating Spanish newspapers. techcrunch.com/2025/05/23/m...
I’ll be in Stockholm in mid-June! Available for consulting, presentations, workshops for journalists and security folks. Also planning on spending some time in the wind tunnel. 🥳
May 26, 2025 at 8:07 AM
I’ll be in Stockholm in mid-June! Available for consulting, presentations, workshops for journalists and security folks. Also planning on spending some time in the wind tunnel. 🥳
A team of journalists in Norway spent a year secretly monitoring a credit card fraud gang to uncover who's behind it and how they operate. Here's the story -- in English -- of how they unmasked Darcula and the crime-as-a-service software Magic Cat. www.nrk.no/dokumentar/x...
The scammers have tricked millions through text messages:
Who are they and how do they scam us?
www.nrk.no
May 5, 2025 at 3:03 PM
A team of journalists in Norway spent a year secretly monitoring a credit card fraud gang to uncover who's behind it and how they operate. Here's the story -- in English -- of how they unmasked Darcula and the crime-as-a-service software Magic Cat. www.nrk.no/dokumentar/x...