Former hacker Kevin Mitnick to speak at CeBIT 2015
By Digital News Asia March 4, 2015
- To talk on latest cyber risks and threats, and demonstrate social engineering tactics
- IT security to feature heavily at CeBIT, whose keynote theme is d!conomy
SECURITY consultant Kevin Mitnick (pic) – at one time the world’s most famous, or infamous, hacker – will take centrestage this year at the CeBIT Global Conferences, part of the CeBIT trade show that will be held later this month in Hannover, Germany.
Mitnick made it onto the FBI’s most-wanted list because he once – “just for the challenge” – hacked into the IT systems of 40 major corporations.
In 1979, at the age of 16, Mitnick hacked into the computer network of the now-defunct Digital Equipment Corp, for which he was convicted in 1988, getting a 12-month prison sentence and three years of supervised release.
While he was still under supervised release, Mitnick hacked into Pacific Bell computers. An arrest warrant was issued, but he fled and was a fugitive for two and a half years, continuing to hack into dozens of networks.
He was finally caught in 1995, and served five years in prison. He now works as an expert consultant to governments and Fortune 500 companies.
On March 19 at CeBIT, he will explain the latest cyber risks and threats, and also demonstrate social engineering tactics, according to CeBIT organiser Deutsche Messe AG.
Making ‘d!conomy’ safe
The keynote theme of CeBIT 2015 is d!conomy, which describes the rapid and extensive penetration of IT into all areas of business and society.
IT security plays a decisive role here, with companies at the upcoming CeBIT set to show how the d!conomy is becoming safer, Deutsche Messe said in a statement.
“Only those who digitise their companies and are willing to invest will be able to compete successfully. The correct and long-term use of IT security measures is a key factor here,” said Oliver Frese (pic), member of the board at Deutsche Messe.
“Anyone who wants to take advantage of increasing digitisation and kickstart new business processes needs to ensure that operations within their company are protected against external attacks.
“At the same time, they must use the tightest possible security measures in order to build trust among their customers,” he added.
The first and most important port of call for anyone wanting to find out about IT security is the CeBIT Business Security showcase featuring developers, manufacturers and distributors of IT security solutions.
The range of solutions on offer extends from antivirus systems, e-mail security, and cloud and Internet security, through to network security. Exhibitors include itWatch, Kaspersky, Secunet, Secusmart, Sophos, Trend Micro and Wick Hill.
Organised in conjunction with the Heise publishing house, the Security Plaza forum will take place in on all five days of CeBIT, with renowned exhibitors from the security industry showcasing their products and services.
Experts will give practice-oriented presentations on the topic of security and explain how to close critical security gaps.
Topics include encryption between client and server, authorisation management in digital data worlds, and special data protection solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. Among the issues covered are IT security law, personal privacy and human rights, and a reality check when it comes to live hacking.
The complete programme is available online.
Putting the spotlight on end-to-end IT security within companies, the Business Security Forum will be held every day of CeBIT.
The presentations are specifically tailored to the needs of executives and IT decision-makers.
One of the highlights will be an event organised by Cyber Security Council Germany (CSRD) on the effects of the digital transformation, which will focus in particular on the automotive and energy sectors.
Other topics in the Business Security Forum will include identity theft, “cybercriminality and what business and governments can do to protect themselves” and security for mobile applications.
The complete programme is available online.
IT security is also high on the agenda at the CeBIT Global Conferences in Hall 8. Top speakers will include investigative journalist Glenn Greenwald, Mitnick himself, and NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General Dr Jamie Shea.
The complete programme is available online.
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