Forwarded From: William Knowles <erehwonat_private> 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- Subscribe: mail majordomoat_private with "subscribe isn". Today's ISN Sponsor: Repent Security Incorporated [www.repsec.com]
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