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ContactWebcast: Security in a Wired and Wireless World
Dan Pinnington and I will be presenting a TECHSHOW session called "The Weakest Link: Security in a Wired and Wireless World." I'm thrilled to finally get the chance to do a presentation with Dan, one of my favorite people in legal technology.
We've recently learned that the ABA will be doing a live webcast of our session.
While I definitely encourage you to attend TECHSHOW and our session, attending this webcast is the next best thing.
Here's the program description:
An unprotected computer running a non-updated version of Windows will be attacked and compromised within twenty minutes of connecting to the Internet, potentially risking violation of your clients’ privacy.Computer threats have become increasingly malicious and damaging. Automated attacks and organized crime have changed the security picture drastically from the days of the fifteen-year-old hacker breaking into systems for fun.
As wireless connectivity becomes more common, you are at risk at home, in your office and on the road. The good news is that there are standard steps that you can take and procedures that you can follow to safeguard the vital client, business, and personal information on your computers. The bad news is that neglecting these steps and ongoing security procedures will put your sensitive data in peril. There are many potential weak links in the networks and software systems you use in the practice of law.
Our expert faculty will provide information on current threats, tested strategies, best practices and practical tips that you can use to strengthen your wired and wireless networks.
In this session, you will learn practical ways to:
+ secure your computers and networks using the standard steps security experts recommend
+ test whether your efforts are working
+ minimize your risk of exposing client confidences and your business and personal information
+ stay aware of current security threats
Registration information is here.
[Originally posted on DennisKennedy.Blog (http://www.denniskennedy.com/blog/)]
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Technorati tags: legal technology computer security webinar TECHSHOW
Comments
Kudos to Dennis & Dan for putting this session together. Digital security has been a large part of my career over the past 24 years, and I believe this session will be one of the most important on the Agenda for '06.
That said, one small point. The session abstract pitches: "An unprotected computer running a non-updated version of Windows will be attacked and compromised within twenty minutes of connecting to the Internet..."
This is sort of like dropping a small domestic animal into a lion's den in the Zoo; "shooting fish in barrel" as a colleague here refers to it.
It seems important to point out that such a sacrifice at the alter of digital evil is at best simply adding some color to the discussion.
If it takes 20 minutes, I'll be surprised. I hope the session explains why even a protected machine can be easily attacked. And I look forward to hearing why it's no longer simply a question of whether one has the necessary firewall, IDP, anit-virus, anti-spam, and anti-spyware installed.
At another major conference earlier this year, I presented statistics from studies conducted in 2005. On average there is a port attack on a firewall every 5 seconds and an intrusion attempt every 12 seconds. The 2005 CSI/FBI survey reported that of the 97% of tested networks protected by a firewall, 96% of them use anti-virus software, and 72% of them have an intrusion protection system. Yet, 74% of those businesses reported suffering a virus outbreak while 56% experienced unauthorized use of their computer network over the course of a year. (See: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/FBI2005.pdf)
Today, even reasonably protected machines are at risk because it's not a question of whether or what you have installed to protect yourself, rather it's whether you are employing the processes and procedures with rigorous discipline.
Lastly, I've found it compelling how many of us in the legal profession simply shrug off security issues as "running with the territory and part of the risk in choosing to use the Internet." So I look forward to 2 other points of discussion at Dennis's session:
[a] the Internet has a necessary business infrastructure and no longer simply a "choice in methods of client communications and research" and
[b] the potential legal impact of a breach of the digital trust, security, and privacy of a firm's network, and not simply the "inconvenience factor."
Dennis and Dan's session should be one of the most valuable of the Conference.
Cheers
GAM
Posted by: Gregory Miller | April 11, 2006 11:04 AM