Shmoocon 2018 Debates - Crypto Currency, Consumer IOT Security
Channel: 0xdade
Date: 2018-02-16

Four players, one moderator, two topics, and a bunch of unknowns.

A few weeks ago we armed our players with two topics and asked them to research both sides. At the start of the hour they will draw a card out of a hat, letting them know which topic and which side of the argument they will be representing. Meant to be fun? Yes. But also a somewhat serious and (hopefully) educated look into some hot subjects of infosec debate.

The Players: Wendy Nather, Jack Daniel, Jack Gavigan, Elizabeth Wharton

The Moderator: Bruce Potter

Format:
4 minutes for each side to give a statement
2 minutes for each side to follow up
Who goes first is decided by a coin toss
10 minutes for open discussion of topic amongst all players and audience.

Topics in Depth:

Crypto Currency – Fad or Future
Crypto currencies like Bitcoin and Litecoin have taken the world by storm. Global networks of increasing power and sophistication support more and more use cases for transactions for all kinds. Supporters of these new digital currencies laud the decentralized and pseudo-anonymous nature of these financial systems. Detractors scoff at the price volatility and power consumption of the coin networks.

Consumer IOT Security – Controlling the Climate or Burning Down the House
We’ve been hearing concerns about the security of consumer IOT devices for years. While small, cloud connected devices have the potential to revolutionize everything from home automation to our personal health to how we care for our pets, there seem to be a never ending list of vulnerabilities associated with these devices. Some say we’re turning a corner and the sophistication of the products is increasing. Others say this is a never ending battle and as more devices go online, the less secure we get.

Wendy Nather (@wendynather) is Principal Security Strategist at Duo Security, and wants to be Jack Daniel when she grows up.

Jack Daniel (@jack_daniel) is the host organism for Jack’s Beard and wants to be Wendy Nather *if* he grows up.

Jack Gavigan (@JackGavigan) has a background in info security and financial technology, and worked with a bunch of banks before joining the team behind the Zcash cryptocurrency. He likes steak and Old Fashioneds, and in his spare time, he trafficks chocolates from London to the US.

Elizabeth (Liz) Wharton (@LawyerLiz) is the Senior Assistant City Attorney (City of Atlanta) responsible for technology projects and policies on behalf of Atlanta and the world’s busiest airport Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. In her spare time she chats drones, IoT, and infosec as host of the “Buzz Off with Lawyer Liz” Radio Show & Podcast. No, she doesn’t have any pull with TSA and she doesn’t know how to find your lost luggage.

Bruce Potter (@gdead) is the CISO at Expel and spends most of his time instructing people on the correct pronunciation of CISO (it’s “ciz-oh”).

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