Re: Information Security Training and Conferences

["Keller, Alex" <axkeller () STANFORD EDU>]

I’ve attended DEF CON for the last 12 years and always come back to work excited to try something new and push beyond 
my comfort zone. The ‘CON isn’t for everyone, having evolved quite a bit in the last few years for both better and 
worse. If you seek structure and are easily offended, run don't walk…but at $230 cash for 3+ days of diverse security 
content, world class speakers, and a notable independence from the big vendors; it is still (arguably) the best deal 
going. Conferences rarely “teach”, rather the good ones are an opportunity to network, appreciate how little you 
actually understand, and motivate you to advance your skills in the coming year.

B-Sides is an awesome group, definitely check them out.

On the training side budget has always been a limitation, but I took “SANS 464: Hacker Detection for Systems 
Administrators” with Seth Misenar and it was solid.

Please note my interests tend toward operational offense/defense techniques, folks focused on policy, awareness, etc. 
would likely have divergent suggestions of equal merit.

Good luck and shoot me an email if you end up in LV Aug 6-9.

Best,
alex

Alex Keller
Information Technology
Stanford School of Engineering
axkeller () stanford edu  
(650) 736-6421


From: The EDUCAUSE Security Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU] On Behalf Of Matt Hall
Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2015 12:33 PM
To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU
Subject: [SECURITY] Information Security Training and Conferences

Security Listserv,

Our college is a little new to designated Information Security employees.  Because of this, we are not fluent on what 
trainings and conferences that Information Security employees should be attending.  So, my question is, what kind of 
trainings and conferences do other Information Security employees attend?  What are your favorite 
trainings/conferences?  Would you not recommend certain ones?

We have done some trainings and conferences in the past.  Some examples are:
• Educause Annual Conference
• Educause Security Professionals Conference
• Ellucian Live
• SANS Training
• Local Security BSides

I am also looking into:
• ISC2 Security Congress
• Black Hat/Defcon

Thank you for other information that you can offer.


Matthew Hall
Information Security - Team Lead
Chemeketa Community College
Phone: (503) 584-7586
Email: Matthew.Hall () chemeketa edu

Thank you for your help in making Chemeketa Safe and Secure!