Harri Hursti

Harri Hursti, born on July 10, 1968, in Helsinki, Finland, is a notable Finnish computer programmer and a prominent figure in the realm of election security. He co-founded ROMmon, where he served as Chairman of the Board. During his tenure, he oversaw the creation of a groundbreaking 2 gigabit traffic analysis product, which later attracted the attention of F-Secure Corporation, resulting in its acquisition.

Hursti gained significant recognition for his involvement in the Black Box Voting hack studies, collaborating with Dr. Herbert "Hugh" Thompson. One of the most famous demonstrations, known as "the Hursti Hack," revealed critical vulnerabilities in the voting machines produced by Diebold Election Systems. This hack was part of a comprehensive examination of electronic voting systems conducted by Black Box Voting, in partnership with the makers of the HBO documentary, Hacking Democracy. The studies shed light on serious security risks that could compromise the integrity of elections.

In 2009, Hursti relocated to the United States, continuing to advocate for transparency and security in electoral processes. His work has not only highlighted the importance of safeguarding democratic systems but has also established him as a leading voice in the ongoing discussion about election integrity and technology's role in democracy.