Simply put CorkSec is a monthly meetup (running since 2013) for anyone interested in Information Security in the Munster region (primarily Cork). Regardless of whether you identify yourself as an InfoSec Professional, a Hacker, a Researcher, a Student or just someone with an interest in breaking things to see how they work / stopping people breaking things to see how they work - all are welcome, and please invite your like-minded friends. Joining any meetup for the first time can off course be daunting, so have a look below at the "Joining for the first time section"
CorkSec is modeled on the idea of a DefCon Group - In fact its got an official Defcon Group code of DC35321. The ideas behind a Defcon Group embodied a lot of what we want to achieve with CorkSec:
- Meetings are open to anyone, regardless of their skill, age, job, gender, etc
- Meetings are designed to help you learn new things, meet new people, mentor others in areas you may be strong in, and provide some cohesion within the security/hacker culture and it's members
- Each meeting will have 1-2 technical talks given by local members of the Cork security/hacker community with occasional guest speakers . You can see past talks on the Wiki section of http://CorkSec.com
In particular we'd like to draw attention to Defcon FAQs answer for "Is this a Hacker Meeting?":
No, this is something better. Anything with the "hacker" label on it tends attract only one kind of person. This meeting is designed to attract not only hackers but members of the InfoSec community and people who want to learn more about InfoSec but do not consider themselves hackers. The purpose here is to interact with people who may have different backgrounds but share the same passion for technology. Many security people feel that hackers are nothing but trouble and many hackers feel that security people are clueless. Those generalizations are often made in error and we'd like to bring all techno-dweebs back under a single umbrella.
Lastly - be sure to subscribe to emails from the group. There is maybe 1 a week max, but we also share out info of new Security roles or events in the Munster region. You can also contact us on defconcork@gmail.com
So come on down and enjoy!
Joining for the first time?
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We understand that joining any new social gathering of people you don't know can be daunting, and adding an unknown venue on top does not help. To help you settle in and feel welcome, and to encourage you to come in the first place - here is some useful information:
- The Venue is nearly always upstairs in Spailpin Fanach bar in the center of town. After arriving to the bar you simply go up the steps to the upstairs bar area. Generally on the days we have it we have that part entirely to ourselves. The bar area is quiet, and not brightly lit, with plenty of seating space. You can see a picture of the venue empty (https://www.meetup.com/CorkSec/photos/29164102/) and during a talk (https://www.meetup.com/CorkSec/photos/29164098/) in our photos section.
- On a normal night we will have around 50-60 people, with numbers lower in the Summer months. It is always a mix of people who are regular attendees, some less frequent, and some coming for the first time (like yourself!)
- If coming for the first time, why not come up to one of the 3 organisers - Bob, Jack or Maurice. We will normally be up at the front organising things and you can find our LinkedIn details below so you can recognise us. We are happy to chat and help you join in.
- You are free to join any table, either on your own or we can introduce you to others.
- Don't worry if the talk subjects sound daunting and out of your technical level - thats perfectly fine. We have a very varied group, so its perfectly normal to arrive and maybe only understand some of the topic. But the next time you come there will be a bit more you learn and so on. We also mix up talks so we have ones pitched at different levels
- Doors open at 19:00 and we normally start about 19:15. They run about 30-40 mins each, with a 15 minute break in the middle. People can get up at any time if they want to get a drink from the upstairs bar, or if you wish to leave - so no pressure!
Organisers:
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- Bob McArdle ( http://ie.linkedin.com/in/robertmcardle )
- Jack Baylor ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackbaylor/ )
- Maurice Cronin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maurice-cronin-... (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maurice-cronin-55774563/))
