As senior technical lead at K2 Integrity/Leviathan Security Group, Thomas Pieragastini specializes in infrastructure security, operating system security and exploitation, and the testing of new or novel targets. He leads complex engagements focused on identifying and mitigating critical vulnerabilities across enterprise systems and cloud and AI infrastructure.
Tom’s technical expertise spans operating system and domain exploitation, red team operations, network penetration testing, and open-source intelligence. He is skilled in Python, C#, C++, and C. His work includes extensive experience in AI infrastructure attacks, particularly leveraging model training processes and channels for communicating with models to identify and exploit vulnerabilities that lead to a variety of impacts, including full remote code execution.
He currently holds OSWP and OSCP certifications and has completed advanced training in open‑source intelligence gathering, advanced red team operations, reverse engineering, Windows process tracing, and command‑and‑control (C2) framework development. Tom frequently shares his expertise through professional and academic presentations on topics ranging from secure kernel modifications to the mechanics of disinformation campaigns. He also serves on the board of the revived B‑Sides Cleveland group.
Before transitioning into information security, Tom was a university-level philosophy professor, focusing on contemporary theory, the philosophy of technology, and the structure of epistemic systems. He holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy from Binghamton University and a dual B.A. in political science and philosophy from John Carroll University.