Tyler Heads to CANVAS 2009: A Security Conference in Ft. Collins

Update: Due to a forcast change, it looks like the event is being postponed.  Ft. Collins is forcast to be on the receiving end of around 20 inches of snow.  I’ll update here when it gets rescheduled.

This weekend I will be traveling to Ft. Collins, Colorado to participate in an event sponsored by the United States Air Force Academy and sponsored/hosted on the campus of Colorado State Univeristy called C.A.N.V.A.S: Computer and Network Vulnerability Assessment Simulation.

The event looks to be very promising for everyone involved in the region.  They will be setting up an Air Traffic Control System for us to attempt to hack and defend in a game of nerd Capture the Flag (DEFCON style).  From the website:

“Our current plan is to set up an air traffic control network with a mix of simple and complex vulnerabilities. Teams of students will assess the network’s security and tailor their exploits to the system’s real-time nature. Teams are expected to explore privacy, safety, and network security issues. At the end of the day long exercise, each team submits a written assessment that is delivered to the network’s Systems Administrator.”

Expect full coverage of the event when I return next week!

PS: I am also heading to an international marketing conference in California next Wednesday.  Expect some neat things coming from there as well!

-Tyler Thompson
 Sr. Public Relations Manager