Thank Heavens we have Ruxcon and Kiwicon….
It would be really sad for the Australian and New Zealand security community if we did not have Ruxcon and Kiwicon, (and OWASP this year I here was pretty good).
Just thinking about this as I head up to another AusCert conference on the Gold Coast. It’s not that we lack security conferences here in Australia and some of them are even okay……rare few though that don’t wheel out the same old people rambling on about the same old topics and working on their own self-promotion.
Most of the conferences these days are being setup to make money for event organisers. Good luck to them if they can fill up a room for a couple of days, provide rubbish but make a few bucks.
What happened to the “Aus” part of AusCert? Looking at the program, you’d be excused for thinking we didn’t have too many people here in this region with interesting things to present. I know many people I have spoken to have given up sending in submissions to AusCert and don’t see it as anything more than a vendor sales conference. On that front, I would have to agree based upon my last few years experience. (Who knows, I may be surprised this year). While I have a few sessions penciled in to attend, for me it’s business and networking. Bring on Rux and Kiwicon for the real interesting stuff!
Anyway, if I get a chance, will post a few ramblings during the conference. Looking more forward to the “networking” sessions. 
If you’re going to have a junket, the Gold Coast is a pretty good place to have it, so on that front, no complaints!
May 19th, 2008 at 12:20 am
Just make sure you spare some time for a bite to eat at my fav spot on the coast. http://www.moomoorestaurant.com/home.php
If the cow elected to die for my pleasure a la ‘The Restaurant at the End of the Universe’ I’d be sooooooo in to another of the Moo Moo signature dishes! Mooooooo
Enjoy… personally am stuck in Mel… can you guys get me a funny t-shirt or sumfin?
May 19th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Thanks D2. Probably won’t get a chance to get there. The schedule’s pretty hectic but looks like a place to visit next time I pass through.
I’ll get you some stuff!
May 21st, 2008 at 12:07 am
[...] presenters after the first day. He seems really upset by it. “Gees!” is he talking about me? Or this? I cringe and then I think, hell yeah…..if me, good!…if not [...]
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
[...] talked before about the presentation content. 2 vendor streams, 2 non-vendors streams (though you could be [...]
May 26th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Mate Why didn’t you put a speaking topic forward if you want to make a difference pony up ! Also whilst we are talking about self promotion half of the last AISA newsletter that you company emailed out had 4 stories about secureusglobal ! or that linked to your site. So I don’t want to hear about self promotion complaints from you.
May 26th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
@AustcertSpeaker, been through this in another thread. Sorry if my comments offended you. They weren’t targeted at **all** speakers.
4 stories? Gees you are hard man. Declan submitted an article that was published. So were all the other articles submitted by AISA members. Not sure what other ones you are talking about.
I do appreciate your comments though and taking your time to post.
May 26th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
@AuscertSpeaker
You may want to have another look at the latest issue of the AISA newsletter. You will see that only one article has been linked to Securus Global (i.e. Declan’s as Drazen has mentioned)
Having said that, we are trying to encourage AISA members to contribute articles to our newsletter to share knowledge ad opinions on information security. If you would like to submit an article to be published in the newsletter and have your company/self mentioned and linked to, feel free to send me an email at news@aisa.org.au
May 26th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
@AusCertSpeaker, is your keyboard working properly? Are you having a bad day?
I think the point that was raised, was local people being overlooked for presentation slots. From what I have seen of the schedule, those statements seem pretty accurate.
I have read all of DD’s AusCert 2008 daily reviews and it’s interesting how many seem to just pick up on the few negatives. Most of his reviews have been pretty positive with some good suggestions on how things could be improved intermixed with some light-hearted banter.
I just had a look at the AISA newsletter from their website. You made me curious. I can’t see what you are talking about in terms of standout self-promotion unless I am looking at something different to you. If I was in DD’s position, I would be aiming to ensure at least 4 articles were included in the newsletter!:) Are you a Securus Global competitor?