What we’re about
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 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? =======================
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:
- Thanks to the generous sponsorship from our **Silver Sponsors Trend Micro **and CyberSkills , as well as our Bronze Sponsors eSentire CorkSec has great venue, The Pav near the center of town. We have the entire large upstairs space of the venue to ourselves on the night. The upstairs area features a stage, bar, and plenty of sitting areas allowing people to either come together or keep to themselves. Lighting is soft and not overly brightly lit. Sound is also not loud, there is no background music so its only the presenters microphone or people chatting. You can see a pictures of the venue on https://thepav.ie/gallery/ and CorkSec 124. Some of the other pictures in our Photos section are from previous venues.
- On a normal night we will have between 20-50 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, Maurice or Paul. 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, or introduce you to people.
- You are free to join any table, either on your own or we can introduce you to others. Remember everyone there has a similar interest, so do a simple introduction and you will fast be chatting to a new interesting person.
- 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 it's 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 19:10. 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, movement break, or if you wish to leave - so no pressure!
Organisers: ===========
- Bob McArdle (http://ie.linkedin.com/in/robertmcardle)
- Maurice Cronin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maurice-cronin-...)
- Paul Horgan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-horgan-7460b830/)
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Cork|Sec 131The Pavilion, Cork City
Running since June 2013, every month we have 1-2 talks focused on Security or Technology - followed by socialising with like minded people – and you can find out exactly what to expect about the night and the venue on the What We're About section of our Meetup page. Past talk details are on our wiki on http://corksec.com/. All people with any sort of an interest or level of knowledge in Security, Hacking and Emerging Technology are more than welcome to attend and feel free to bring like minded colleagues and friends.
CorkSec is made possible through generous sponsorship from our Silver Sponsors Trend Micro and CyberSkills , as well as our Bronze Sponsors featured prominently on the night.
This month we will also have some delicious free Pizzas on offer, courtesy of kind sponsorship by Morgan McKinley
Doors open at 19:00 with talks starting at 19:15. Talks below
TALK 1: Security for non-Technology SMB by Michael O'Connor
In today's digital age, small and medium businesses (SMB’s) are increasingly vulnerable to cyber-attacks, with potentially devastating impacts. Understanding the importance of cyber security and taking proactive steps can significantly mitigate these risks, but where should you start when your business focus is not on technology or cyber securityShort Overview: 5 minute intro to World Skills Cyber Security Competition by Dylan Smyth / George O'Mahony
TALK 2: Operation Cronos: How is Success Measured by Chris Boyton
In this talk we’ll delve into the intricate lifecycle of Lockbit, from its peak influence to its current state following a major law enforcement operation. We'll then examine the significant impact of Op Cronos, a pivotal law enforcement action, detailing its execution and immediate effects on both Lockbit and the broader criminal underground. Despite substantial setbacks and infrastructural damage, Lockbit's ongoing activities suggest a slow but noticeable revival, reflecting the group's resilience. The session will further discuss the evolution of law enforcement strategies against such cyber threats, and how psychological operations (PsyOps) have shifted criminal tactics. - Cork|Sec 132The Pavilion, Cork City
(*** Annual Pub Quiz Edition ***)
Every 12 months we take a break from our normal talks (see past talk details are on our wiki on http://corksec.com/) to celebrate our anniversary with a friendly and geeky pub quiz. Expect a night with random security and tech trivia, random facts, lots of fun and prizes! For those new to CorkSec you can find out exactly what to expect about the night and the venue on the What We're About section of our Meetup page. And to help dispel your fear of horrible questions - here are 2 from a previous year. We try to make questions guessable, it's supposed to be a fun quiz - not an exam!- In what year was the Stuxnet virus found? 2008, 2010, or 2012
- In the APT (Advanced Persistant Threats) naming convention of Crowdstrike - they use different animals to represent different countries they attributed an attack to e.g. Energetic Bear. Russia is Bear, US is Eagle. What animal is used for China?
Will be 6 rounds of 10 questions. Starts at 19:15 SHARP (if you join later, there is no way to retake past rounds) - so best to join from 19:00 onwards to make sure everything is working for you
CorkSec is made possible through generous sponsorship from our Silver Sponsors Trend Micro and CyberSkills , as well as our Bronze Sponsors featured prominently on the night.
In addition, our annual Pub Quiz would not be possible without the generous additional support of **Skillnet **and CyberSkills
PRIZES:
- TBC
- Cork|Sec 133The Pavilion, Cork City
Running since June 2013, every month we have 1-2 talks focused on Security or Technology - followed by socialising with like minded people – and you can find out exactly what to expect about the night and the venue on the What We're About section of our Meetup page. Past talk details are on our wiki on http://corksec.com/. All people with any sort of an interest or level of knowledge in Security, Hacking and Emerging Technology are more than welcome to attend and feel free to bring like minded colleagues and friends.
CorkSec is made possible through generous sponsorship from our Silver Sponsors Trend Micro and CyberSkills , as well as our Bronze Sponsors featured prominently on the night.
Our talks come from our community so if you have an idea for a topic (anything for 10-60 minutes) please email us at DefconCork@gmail.com . Whether you are an experienced presenter, or presenting for your first time - CorkSec is a great venue for it - and we are happy to help you prepare and mentor you.
Doors open at 19:00 with talks starting at 19:15. Talks below
TALK 1: TBC
TALK 2: TBC
- Cork|Sec 134The Pavilion, Cork City
Running since June 2013, every month we have 1-2 talks focused on Security or Technology - followed by socialising with like minded people – and you can find out exactly what to expect about the night and the venue on the What We're About section of our Meetup page. Past talk details are on our wiki on http://corksec.com/. All people with any sort of an interest or level of knowledge in Security, Hacking and Emerging Technology are more than welcome to attend and feel free to bring like minded colleagues and friends.
CorkSec is made possible through generous sponsorship from our Silver Sponsors Trend Micro and CyberSkills , as well as our Bronze Sponsors featured prominently on the night.
Our talks come from our community so if you have an idea for a topic (anything for 10-60 minutes) please email us at DefconCork@gmail.com . Whether you are an experienced presenter, or presenting for your first time - CorkSec is a great venue for it - and we are happy to help you prepare and mentor you.
Doors open at 19:00 with talks starting at 19:15. Talks below
TALK 1: "Under the Microscope: A Cybersecurity Pro's Encounter with Wannacry" by Simon Whittaker
Blurb: A real life example of the issues which face security researchers and those involved in the cyber security industries. I'll discuss the story of my involvement with the Wannacry investigation from the wrong side of the interrogation table.TALK 2: TBC