Rob Joyce, the former head of the NSA’s Tailored Access Operations squad and White House Cybersecurity Coordinator under Donald Trump, has a surprising hobby – hacking Christmas lights. In a talk at the Shmoocon hacking conference in 2018, Joyce revealed his passion for hacking the seasonal strings of lights that adorn American houses during the holiday season.
In an effort to make the NSA more acceptable after the Edward Snowden revelations, Joyce became a friendly public face of the agency. His unconventional hobby of synchronizing computer-controlled LEDs to music for a Christmas light show was a stark departure from his work in cybersecurity. This unusual mix of skills and interests caught the attention of many in the security industry.
During a recent interview with The Register, Joyce explained how his fascination with Christmas lights began and how he embarked on this elaborate hobby. He described the painstaking process of setting up the light show, which takes about three and a half days and involves intricate programming and technical expertise.
Joyce emphasized the importance of maintaining security measures for his light show, ensuring that the control system is not connected to the internet and is a standalone network to prevent unauthorized access. Despite the challenges and complexities involved in his hobby, Joyce finds joy in the creative process of putting on a colorful and synchronized display for the holiday season.
The Christmas lights hobbyist community has grown significantly, with thousands of enthusiasts participating in creating elaborate displays synced to music. Joyce recommended aspiring hobbyists to explore open-source software tools like xLights and engage with online communities for guidance and support.
In Europe, the trend of hacking Christmas lights is slowly catching on, with enthusiasts like Paul Glavin from the UK developing a passion for creating intricate light displays. However, regulatory challenges pose obstacles for European hobbyists, with restrictions on broadcasting music via radio and limited control systems available for purchase.
Despite these challenges, the spirit of creativity and community engagement prevails, as hobbyists like Glavin continue to brighten up the holiday season with their elaborate light displays. The tradition of hacking Christmas lights is not only a creative outlet but also a way to bring joy and togetherness to local communities during the festive season.
As the popularity of synchronized Christmas light displays grows, enthusiasts like Rob Joyce and Paul Glavin are at the forefront of a unique intersection of technology, creativity, and holiday cheer. Their dedication to bringing light and joy to others through their elaborate displays is a testament to the power of creativity and community spirit during the holiday season.