Threatpost DEF CON Panel to Weigh Conflict Between Cyber Security, Civil Liberties

Panel members to discuss recent hacks on HBGary Federal, Sony and debate ways to combat chaotic actors like Anonymous and LulzSec

WHAT: Threatpost Editor Paul Roberts will moderate the panel "Whoever Fights Monsters: Aaron Barr, Anonymous, and Ourselves,” on Saturday, August 6 at DEF CON 19 in Las Vegas.

Security industry experts at the DEFCON hacker conference in Las Vegas will confront the technical and ethical dilemmas posed by nation-state backed cyber warfare and ideologically motivated cyber attacks. Threatpost editor Paul Roberts will moderate a panel of IT security industry experts including Joshua Corman, formerly of The 451 Group, Jericho of Attrition.org and a surprise guest.

The attacks on HBGary Federal, Sony and other organizations raise important questions about the vulnerability of private sector firms to damaging attacks by criminally and ideologically motivated actors. Data disgorged from those companies raises important questions about the scope of government- and private sector cyber activities and the impact of powerful new security and monitoring tools, including data mining and persona management that may encroach on civil liberties.  

Panel members will debate the consequences of the federal government’s huge new investments in IT security, the real threat posed by ideologically motivated hacktivist groups and chaotic actors like Anonymous and LulzSec, and what we’re missing amid all the talk about attacks by so-called “advanced persistent threats,” or "APTs.” Cyber security is the front line in a new Cold War. It’s a front that stretches from the Pentagon, to the corporate board room and to the living room. The “Whoever Fights Monsters” panel seeks to understand the best way to fight that war without sacrificing our civil liberties and freedom.

WHO: The panel, moderated by Threatpost Editor and Kaspersky Lab Security Evangelist Paul Roberts, will feature:

• Joshua Corman: Research Director, Enterprise Security Practice, The 451 Group
• Jericho: Attrition.org Staff
• Surprise guest

WHEN: Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 10:00am PDT

WHERE: Track 1, Rio Hotel, 3700 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89103

To RSVP please visit our “Events” page on Facebook or LinkedIn.

Can’t attend? Follow the panel discussion live on Twitter: #TPanel

About Threatpost

Threatpost is an independent news website for IT security professionals. Threatpost delivers original IT security reporting and analysis from some of the industry’s top reporters and experts. Through the main Threatpost.com blog, mobile iPhone app, and our presence on social networks like Twitter (@threatpost), LinkedIn, Facebook and Tumblr, Threatpost delivers breaking news coverage through personality-driven blogs, podcasts, videos and relevant, curated links to the best security content from across the Internet. . Threatpost extends Kaspersky Lab’s mission to educate users about computer security threats and to give them the tools and knowledge to protect themselves. To learn more visit http://www.threatpost.com.

About Kaspersky Lab

Kaspersky Lab is the world's largest privately-held Internet Security company, providing comprehensive protection against all forms of IT threats such as viruses, spyware, hackers and spam. The company's products provide in-depth defense at work, at home and on the road for home and mobile users, small and medium sized businesses and large enterprises, protecting more than 300 million systems around the globe. Kaspersky technology is also incorporated inside the products and services of approximately 100 of the industry's leading IT, networking, communications and applications solution vendors. For further information about the company, please visit http://www.kaspersky.com/. Friend us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KasperskyLabAmericas. Follow @Kaspersky on Twitter.

For the latest in-depth information on security threat issues and trends, please visit http://www.securelist.com/. Follow @Securelist on Twitter.

Media Contact:
Gregory Funaro
Threatpost
Phone: 781-503-5231
Gregory.Funaro@kaspersky.com