Forwarded From: William Knowles <erehwon@kizmiaz.dis.org>
SINGAPORE (November 4, 1998 11:20 p.m. EST http://www.nandotimes.com) -
Organizers of an information technology trade show in Singapore called on
computer hackers Thursday to surface and test their skills in live
demonstrations aimed at promoting cyber-security.
"We are looking for individuals or teams who are interested in taking up
the challenge of infiltrating firewalls set up by our sponsors," said
Jimmy Lau, president of Reed Exhibition Companies in Singapore.
"This will provide our sponsors an opportunity to demonstrate the
effectiveness of their products at Infosecurity Asia 99," he added in a
press statement.
Reed Exhibition is co-organizing the information technology (IT) security
trade show next June with National Computer Systems Pte. Ltd., a
subsidiary of the Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. group.
Firewalls are programs designed to repel infiltration by hackers, who have
triggered much concern worldwide after illegally entering defense,
business, banking and other computer systems.
"Rest assured, there will be no hacking of computer systems outside of the
demonstration environment," Lau said.
Lee Kwok Cheong, chief executive officer of NCS, said that "in this age of
electronic commerce, we need to protect the information and network
infrastructure of our customers against possible corruption."
Companies are being asked to provide prizes for the IT trade show's
"Hackers Zone," believed to be the first attempt in security-conscious
Singapore to allow hackers to demonstrate their skills in an exhibition.
Michelle Lim, project director with Reed Exhibition, said a hackers'
contest was being considered as part of the show.
"We are trying to gauge the response and feedback, and when we have
managed to find sponsors and when there is enough response from hackers,
we will work out the details," she told AFP.
"We're trying to create awareness of the importance of security in IT
systems," she said, adding that hackers need not be afraid to surface as
the trade show feature will be done in a "controlled environment."
-o-
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Received on Sat Nov 7 13:21:06 1998