sxsw 2015 - hacker to infosec pro: new rock star generation
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Malicious hackers tend to be smart, young – many are only teenagers – and they seek respect, power and financial gain. Many of them perceive hacking like being a rock star – they jump into the action and start reaping the rewards. But what if we could help young malicious hackers understand the damage they are doing, the legal ramifications of their actions, and how these actions could hamper their future? What if we could reshape their mindsets and encourage them to channel their work into something more productive – like information security, white hat hacking or even working with the Secret Service? It’s a wonder that the InfoSec and IT industries have a shortage of talent when salaries are rising and work is comparable to that of hackers, but they are doing it for good (and with benefits!). It’s time we turn InfoSec and IT professionals into the new rock stars, the new hot ticket future for the hacker generation. This panel is going to address why and what we need to do, and how to start making this change.TRANSCRIPT
A quick look at the profiles of young malicious hackers.
From Hacker to InfoSec Pro:The New Rock Star Generation
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DJ Stolen – 18 – Pop Stars
In 2012, then-18-year-old hacker DJ Stolen hacked into the personal computers of several pop stars. He stole multiple unreleased tracks from Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, Leona Lewis, Justin Timberlake, and Mariah Carey over the course of two years and sold them online. He also downloaded explicit photos from Ke$ha's computer. His punishment included 18 months in detention and therapy for internet addiction.
Source: Huffington Post
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Aaron Bond – 14 – School
By 14, Aaron Bond had already designed six apps. But the tech-savvy teen went a little too far – he hacked into his school's computer after supposedly seeing a set of password keywords in the school's office. He was expelled; however, his mother blames the school for poor cyber-security.
Source: Huffington Post
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Ree4 – 17 – Target Breach
A 17-year-old Russian man, username "ree4," was the author of the point-of-sale malware used for hacks at Target, Neiman Marcus and six other large U.S. retailers in 2014, maybe more. ree4 sold his "BlackPOS" malware to more than 60 Eastern European cybercriminals, plus some in other regions. He is based in St. Petersburg and is well-known in forums and the hacking community.
Source: Slate
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Austrian Hacker – 15 – 259 Companies
In 2012, the Austrian police arrested a 15-year-old for hacking into a shocking 259 companies. He is the country's youngest arrested hacker and is estimated to have broken into an average of three sites per day. Authorities allege the suspect scanned the Internet for vulnerabilities and bugs in websites and databases that he could then exploit.
Source: Huffington Post, ZDNet
Join us at SXSWi 2015 to discuss how to turn InfoSec professions into the hot
ticket future for young hackers.
Kent Bloomstrand, CSIDBen Bass, Secret Service
Tiffany Rad, ELCNetworks, LLC