M+E Connections

CES Sees Focus on Cyber Security

By Chris Tribbey

Between drones, connected cars, 4K Ultra High-Def TVs and virtual reality, there won’t be a shortage of upbeat headlines coming out of this week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

But after a year that saw an almost unprecedented number of cyber attacks against both businesses and government agencies, this year’s CES will also see a major focus on the new security risks posed by all this new tech-based connectivity.

“The growth in connected devices creates new opportunities to change and save lives, but also creates new options for bad guys,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). “Cyber security technologies help block, detect and isolate cyber-attacks. Cyber security companies are using CES to launch and demo the next generation of innovation that is going to keep us safe and protected.”

This year’s CES sees the return of the Cyber and Personal Security Marketplace, a specific zone in the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC, South Hall 1) dedicated to cyber security technologies. Secure messaging, private Internet access, safe payment apps and more will be on display from exhibitors in the dedicated area.

Additionally, this year’s CES not only sees industry-specific discussions about cyber security, but also an entire day of panels dedicated to the topic, with the Cyber Security Forum scheduled for Wednesday at the Venetian. Topics include the role of executives in implementing cyber security, the impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) on security, and how companies need to take a more proactive role when it comes to discovering their weaknesses.

Here’s a rundown of the cyber security panels taking place this week at CES:

• “Tech Talk” (9-9:30 a.m., Jan. 6), Venetian, Level 4, Lando 4301, featuring Brian Krebs, author of the New York Times bestseller “Spam Nation” and editor of cybercrime news site KrebsOnSecurity.com.

• “Actionable Intelligence” (9:30-10:30 a.m., Jan 6) Venetian, Level 4, Lando 4301: Effective cyber security requires knowledge and understanding of the capabilities and intent of threat actors. Who are they? What do they want? What can they do? Find out what kind of actionable intelligence will help protect your company.
Speakers: Mark Coderre, national practice director and CISO, Open Sky Corporation and John Overbaugh, president, InfoSecure.

• “How Smart is Your Device?” (10:30-11:15 a.m., Jan. 6) Venetian, Level 4, Lando 4301: Intelligent toasters. Robotic cars. Drone deliveries. The Internet of Things will revolutionize the way we live and work. New connected devices promise to improve our daily lives, from smart homes to smarter workplaces, but at what cost to cyber security? Speakers: David Auerbach, columnist, Slate Magazine, Gary Davis, VP and chief consumer security evangelist, Intel Security, Victoria Espinel, president and CEO, BSA/The Software Alliance, Jeff Greene, senior policy counsel and director of government affairs, Symantec, Jason Hoffman, head of product area for cloud infrastructure, Ericsson, and Gary Kovacs, CEO, AVG Technologies.

• “The Cyber Blacklist: Threats & Countermeasures for Data Security” (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Jan. 6) Venetian, Level 4, Lando 4301: At the heart of most data thefts is lax cyber security: a broad term that will cease to intimidate you after this presentation. You will come away with an actionable Blacklist of next steps to protect your data, devices and identity. Speaker: John Sileo, CEO and president, Sileo

• “USA’s MR. ROBOT: Is Truth Stranger than Fiction?” (1-2 p.m., Jan. 6) Venetian, Level 4, Lando 4301: USA’s hit series, “Mr. Robot,” follows a young programmer who works as a cyber security engineer by day and a vigilante hacker by night. MR. ROBOT show consultants and cyber security experts explore how reality translates into authentic storytelling. Speakers: Nilay Patel, editor-in-chief, The Verge, James Plouffe, senior solutions architect and technical consultant for “Mr. Robot,” USA Network, Kor Adana, “Mr. Robot” writer, USA Network, David Damato, chief security officer (CSO), Tanium, Marshall Heilman, VP of consulting, Mandiant.

• “When Bad Things Happen to Good Companies” (2-3:15 p.m., Jan. 6) Venetian, Level 4, Lando 4301: New cyber threats require new strategies. In our increasingly connected world, effective cyber security requires a multi-discipline approach that coordinates all of a company’s security functions. Learn about the newest ways for improving security readiness and response. Speakers: Simone Petrella, VP of cyber security training, CyberVista, Tom Kellerman, chief cyber security officer, TrendMicro, Ann Barron Di Camillo, director of US-CERT for U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Brian Krebs, editor, KrebsonSecurity.com, and Timothy J. O’Shaughnessy, CEO and President, Graham Holdings

• “Cyber Security Starts at the Top” (3:30-4:30 p.m., Jan. 6) Venetian, Level 4, Lando 4301: CEOs and boards are being held accountable for cyber breaches. What do they need to know to keep their companies secure? How can you effectively communicate the intricacies of cyber security to the C-suite? Speakers: Denise Zheng, deputy director and senior fellow, CSIS, Suzanne Spaulding, under secretary for National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), U.S. DHS, Sofia Mata-Leclerc, director, Brunswick Group, Cliff Sloan, partner, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP, and Brett Hansen, executive director of client security software, Dell Inc.

• “Hacking for the Better Good” (4:30-5 p.m., Jan. 6) Venetian, Level 4, Lando 4301: Hear from white hats or ethical hackers who have identified security weaknesses in computer systems and devices. How do they find what others have missed? Speakers: Michael Tiffany, co-founder and CEO, White Ops, Josephine Wolff, assistant professor for public policy and computer security, Rochester Institute of Technology, Lance James, chief scientist, Flashpoint, and Michael Stawasz, deputy chief for computer crime, U.S. Department of Justice.

• “Personalization and Big Data: Securing Consumer Privacy” (3:45-5 p.m., Jan. 6) Venetian, Level 4, Marcello 4501): Consumers want personalized services even as they are increasingly concerned about the vulnerability of their personal data. This panel examines trends in personalization, including privacy and security concerns, and strategies to balance connected solutions with regulatory limits and consumer concerns. Speakers: Brad Russell, research analyst, Parks Associates, Navin Ganeshan, VP, head of product, Zubie, Steve Gorretta, product line manager, connected home software, Cisco, Steve Christian, SVP of marketing, Verimatrix, Sami Nassar, VP of cyber security solutions, NXP Semiconductors, Sagar Savla, data science engineer, Facebook, and Gary Davis, VP and chief consumer security evangelist, Intel Security.

“Innovating Privacy: New Frameworks for Changing Technology” (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Jan. 7) LVCC, North Hall, Room N254: Consumers are enjoying the benefits of connected devices while (grappling) navigating new privacy issues. Industry and regulators alike are working to understand consumer preferences while preserving creativity and flexibility to innovate with data. How can we adapt existing frameworks to respond to consumer concerns? Speakers: Chris Wolf, partner, Hogan Lovells, Mike Hintze, chief privacy council, Microsoft Corporation, Hilary Cain, director of technology and innovation policy, Toyota, and Maureen Ohlhausen, commissioner, Federal Trade Commission.