KUALA LUMPUR, 23 JUNE 2009 -- Humans are the weakest link in any security system, according to KL-based organisers of the Hackers Halted Asia Pacific 2009 conference, which is to be held in November.
Officiating at the announcement, the chief minister of Malacca, Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Ali Bin Mohd Rustam, said there is no perfect system in the world. "Even if you have the best security devices and software—your organisation still relies on humans—who are the weakest link in any security system. Public education and awareness is essential."
"The conference is another significant step in the nation's development of its knowledge-based economy,” said Malaysia’s ministry of science, technology & innovation (MOSTI) deputy minister, Tuan Haji Fadillah Yusof. “Increasing use of ICT throughout the business shows the continuing pervasiveness of ICT. Infastructure includes information networks and terminal devices allowing the population to connect to information anytime, anywhere."
"This means industry cannot rely on traditional security solutions but must continue to expand stronger systems, especially in these days of increasing malicious threats throughout the world. I urge all organisations, both government and private, to take advantage of the forthcoming conference," said the deputy minister.
Hackers Halted Asia Pacific 2009, to be held on 10-13 November, is a joint effort between the certification organisation International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) and educational institution Kolej Yayasan Melaka (KYM). The four-day conference includes a two-day security conference and two days of technical workshops.
EC-Council provides IT security certification and is a member-driven international organisation of 21,000 certified professionals, which has trained more than 60,000 professionals in 60 countries.
Education and ethics in information security
KYM chief executive officer Datuk Saroni Bin Judi said: “The purpose of this conference is to bring together international experts to share their experience, thoughts and expertise and to raise awareness towards increasing education and ethics in information security.”
International speakers would include Howard Schmidt, Trey Ford, Jeff Bardin, Dr Herbert ‘Hugh’ Thompson, Tim Pierson, Tom Bowers, Sanjay Bavisi, and Haja Mohideen at our conference, he said.
“Last year at Hacker Halted 2009, we searched around the world for the best brains in information security and the knowledge and know-how shared during that four-day event was priceless,” said EC-Council chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Yahaya Ibrahim. “This year, Hacker Halted Asia Pacific 2009 will feature some of the finest trainers for the hands-on workshop and conference to bring forth the importance of cybersecurity for the nation.”
