IT Security Summit focuses on trusted technologies that fail

This year's theme is "Reinventing information security: When trusted technologies have failed."

Many trusted security technologies have failed, and coupled with this, cyber defence is still immature, skills are lacking to address cyber warfare, the world has become more connected and hackers are getting smarter.

Information security themes that will be explored include the freedom and control of the Web, as well as issues around digital identity, unregulated money at risk through mobile payment systems, contactless system security, mobile network insecurities, ERP suite vulnerabilities, anti-virus failures and mobile application vulnerabilities.

More cyber attacks are possible

Kenneth Geers, US Naval Criminal Investigative Service cyber subject matter expert, says that this year could see more cyber attacks on critical infrastructure as well as information security leaks as seen with WikiLeaks. He points out that cyber law cannot keep up with the rapid evolution of IT, and that critical infrastructure, which controls everything from electricity to a country's elections, is susceptible to cyber warfare, because everything is connected to the Internet.

"Cyber attacks are the most flexible weapon the world has ever seen," says Geers. "They may be used for propaganda, espionage, impersonation and even the destruction of critical infrastructure."

White Hat hacker and researcher Moxie Marlinspike will also be one of the keynote speakers. In addition, Dr Charlie Miller, principal research consultant for Accuvant LABS will address his recent AppStore hack and Apple's response to this. He will also tackle the broader implications this hack might have for mobile security.

For more information about the ITWeb Security Summit, go to www.securitysummit.co.za.