John C. Dvorak Columnist, Author, Editor

Looking Forward: The Next Decade in Desktop Computing

Steve Hunt, Industry Analyst, Blogger

Wasting Time in the Security Industry: How the Security Industry Ignores the Need of the End User

Lance Spitzner, Honeynet Project

Honeynet Project: An Overview

Doug Steelman, DoD

Defending the GIG

Dean Turner, Director, Global Intelligence Network Symantec Security Response

State of the Internet Security Threat Landscape

Bios and Keynote Descriptions

John C. Dvorak Columnist, Author, Editor

Looking Forward: The Next Decade in Desktop Computing

Prognosticator John C. Dvorak looks at trends in desktop computing, computer security and technology in general to deliver a broad-spectrum of valuable information. He identifies solid trends and dangers ahead for the computer using public, both private and professional. This will include issues involving hacker attacks, mobile computing, identity theft, and the Internet.

Current PC Magazine Columnist writing Inside Track, an essay and a weekly online column. These articles are licensed around the world. Also a weekly columnist for Dow-Jones Marketwatch, Info! (Brazil) and BUG Magazine (Croatia). Previously a columnist for Forbes, Forbes Digital, PC World, MacUser, PC/Computing, Barrons, Smart Business and other magazines and newspapers. Former editor and consulting editor for Infoworld. Has appeared in the New York Times, LA Times, SF Examiner, Vancouver Sun. Was on the start-up team for CNet TV as well as ZDTV. At ZDTV (and TechTV) was host of Silicon Spin for four years doing 1000 live and live-to-tape TV shows. Also was on public radio for 8 years. Written over 4000 articles and columns as well as authoring or co-authoring 14 books.

2004 Award winner of the American Business Editors Association's national gold award for best online column of 2003. That was followed up by an unprecedented second national gold award from the ABEA in 2005, again for the best online column (for 2004).

Steve Hunt, Industry Analyst, Blogger

Wasting Time in the Security Industry: How the Security Industry Ignores the Need of the End User

The security industry of the next 10 years in many ways will be nothing like the security industry of the last decade. The lines blur between homeland security, physical security, public safety, information security, and network security. Security professionals also deceive themselves with artificial categories, like vulnerability management, risk management and compliance management. The key to success in the security industry is to solve the whole problem.

Steve Hunt, noted industry expert, was named one of the 25 most influential people in the security industry by Security Magazine (2006) and a CSO Magazine Compass Award winner (2006). Steve formerly led the security research teams of Forrester Research and Giga Information Group (1998-2005) and has been an advisor to dozens of the world’s leading corporations, government agencies, professional associations and news organizations during his 25-year career. He also runs the SecurityDreamer blog.

Lance Spitzner, Honeynet Project

Honeynet Project: An Overview

In this short presentation we will cover the security research organization the Honeynet Project and its findings. Specifically, we will cover the organization's mission, how it operates on a global level, and how others can get involved. In addition, we will cover trends we have seen in the past years, and where cyber security is headed in the future. 

Lance Spitzner is a geek intrigued by the strategies and tactics of information security. This interest first began in the military, where he served for seven years, four as an Armor officer in the Army’s Rapid Deployment Force. Following the military he earned his M.B.A. and became involved in the world of information security. His passion is researching honeypot technologies and using them to learn more about cyberthreats. He is founder of the Honeynet Project, moderator of the honeypot mail-list, author of Honeypots: Tracking Hackers (Addison- Wesley, 2003), co-author of Know Your Enemy, 2nd Edition and author of several whitepapers. He has also spoken at various conferences and organizations, including SANS, Blackhat, FIRST, the Pentagon, the FBI Academy, the President’s Advisory Board, the Army War College, West Point, and Navy War College.

Photograph: Michael Girard

Doug Steelman, DoD

Defending the GIG

Doug Steelman will bring his real world DoD experience to Chicagocon. More than ever, the DoD's Global Information Grid (GIG) faces increased threats. Defending this critical infrastructure requires global collaboration and a systematic Computer Network Defense (CND) approach. Doug will discuss some of the challenges which exist and share some lessons learned from his work defending the GIG. 

Doug Steelman was introduced to information technology and security while serving in the United States Air Force 16 years ago. He earned his B.S. in Computer Science during this service. After his tour in the military Doug established information security programs in the private sector for five years before returning to DoD. He has led Computer Network Defense (CND) and Information Assurance (IA) efforts for multiple DoD organizations. These include the Pentagon CIRT, the Counter Intelligence Field Activity (CIFA), and Headquarters Army. He is committed to developing CND/IA across DoD’s Global Information Grid (GIG) and working to improve the GIG’s collective security posture and defense capabilities.

Dean Turner, Director, Global Intelligence Network Symantec Security Response

State of the Internet Security Threat Landscape

This presentation will provide highlights from the Symantec Internet Security Threat Report, which offers analysis and discussion of threat activity over a six-month period. It covers Internet attacks, vulnerabilities, malicious code, phishing, spam and security risks as well as future trends.

Dean Turner is the Director of the Global Intelligence Network where he manages Symantec's security intelligence and defines Symantec’s go-to-market strategy for sensor and intelligence coverage in key regional and vertical markets. Turner also manages and co-authors the Symantec Internet Security Threat Report.  In this role, he coordinates the research and analysis of attack data gathered from Symantec's DeepSight Threat Management System, Managed Security Services, Business Intelligence Services and Symantec Antivirus Research Automation for use in the publication of the ISTR. Dean is also Symantec’s Canadian spokesperson for matters relating to the ISTR having done numerous print, radio and television interviews.

Turner was one of the co-founders of SecurityFocus in 1999 and served as its Director of Operations and Content until the company's acquisition by Symantec in 2002. Prior to forming SecurityFocus, Turner worked for Network Associates as their Competitive Analysis Manager for their security product line. Turner has a bachelor's degree in political science and strategic studies from the University of Calgary, Canada and a master’s degree in security strategy from the University of Hull, U.K. He is also working on a thesis submission for his doctorate in information warfare and dominance.