Former hackers protect NSW's critical infrastructure

[InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews org>]

http://www.itnews.com.au/News/297959,former-hackers-protect-nsws-critical-infrastructure.aspx

By Darren Pauli
iTnews.com.au
April 23, 2012

In a fortified, bulletproof facility in North Sydney, security engineers 
who once skirted the limits of hacking laws now work to catch those 
attacking NSW’s state critical infrastructure.

The engineers were talented hackers from Brazil, India, Russia and the 
former Soviet states, some of whom breached networks while honing their 
security skills.

Now they spend hours on end pouring over monitors that collect data 
feeds from networks across all but a handful of the state’s utility 
companies.

Despite a lack of university degrees and formal security certificates, 
these young men were hired by managed service provider Earthwave, which 
counts government bodies as half its clients.

The former hackers -- experienced exploit writers and systems poppers -- 
are now charged with recruiting new blood for Earthwave, and seem to 
view education portfolios as padding.

[...]

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