About Praefortis

Praefortis is led by Wesley Brandi: a seasoned computer scientist and internationally respected forensic expert with over two decades of experience working alongside lawyers, law enforcement, and government agencies. From cracking the toughest security barriers in modern hardware wallets to exposing large-scale fraud rings, Wesley’s work has reshaped the way digital threats are investigated and neutralized.

Wesley holds a PhD in Computer Science and began his career at Microsoft as a software engineer working on Windows Server 2008, Internet Explorer, and Bing. He was part of the elite SmartScreen team responsible for building the URL and application reputation systems that protect millions of users today. Later, at Amazon, he served as a senior product manager where he led a covert team focused on identifying and mitigating high-impact vulnerabilities. His team’s work, rooted in engineering rigor and internal intelligence collaboration, saved Amazon over $150 million annually by preempting sophisticated fraud.

Before founding Praefortis, Wesley built and ran a computer forensics firm whose clients included Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Verizon and multiple U.S. government agencies. He has designed advanced tools for affiliate fraud detection, malvertising investigation, synthetic image recognition, and even deployed innovative AI-based CAPTCHAs independent of third-party libraries. His expertise has led him to present at conferences hosted by Microsoft and Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), and he has consulted on cases ranging from global botnets to scams targeting senior citizens.

At the heart of Praefortis is Wesley’s unique capability in crypto wallet recovery. He is believed to be the only person in the world capable of recovering encrypted Trezor wallets running the latest firmware without access to the PIN or seed. Through years of advanced electrical engineering and hands-on hardware attacks, including state machine manipulation of STM32 microcontrollers, Wesley has achieved what even manufacturers consider impossible.

Wesley has served as a confidential informant, appeared before grand juries, and led cross-disciplinary teams of former agents, economists, and scientists to uncover and halt emerging threats.

Praefortis was co-founded with Jim Carden (LinkedIn) who has a distinguished career spanning federal law enforcement, military service, and private sector leadership, he stands as a paragon of cybersecurity and digital forensics expertise. His tenure with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the Fairfield Police Department’s Computer Crimes Branch has cemented his reputation as a formidable force against cybercrime.

As a seasoned computer forensics investigator, Jim’s certifications from the California Department of Justice and the Department of Defense are a testament to his profound knowledge and skill set. His role in pivotal computer investigations and forensics has not only earned him a Top-Secret SCI security clearance but also the trust of clients who rely on his unparalleled ability to unravel complex digital puzzles.

Jim leveraged his unique insights to pioneer innovative wallet recovery solutions and password breaking technologies. His leadership at Carden Rose Inc. and Digital Blue Solutions, Inc. has been instrumental in developing preventive legal strategies and employing cutting-edge technologies to mitigate corporate legal risks.

Jim’s military service is equally impressive, marked by his contributions as a Pararescue team leader and his commendable work with the United States Air Force’s Special Operations Command. His dedication to service and excellence has been recognized with 16 military decorations, underscoring his commitment to his country and his craft.