Hey, gang. Did you know that I’m also an expert in cyber security? There was a panel here at SXSW called Cyber Safety in the Interactive Age. Someone from Symantec was supposed to be on the panel but couldn’t make it because of a plane delay. Through some weird six degrees of separation thing, I was invited to take the Symantec rep’s place.
I have a general understanding of Internet security and the like (primarily because I still read 2600 and listen to its radio show) so I think I held my own. I filled the role of young, crazy guy who reads his dorm’s AIM conversations and doesn’t trust the government to solve Internet security problems. My voice is, I don’t know, dying, so it was a little tough to actually speak.
Apparently the whole hour-long panel’s audio will be uploaded to SXSW’s Wes site, so I’ll be sure to link to it when it hits.
I’m also appearing on local TV later today discussing e-mail and phishing and how people can avoid the related problems. So it was a busy day. Too bad my voice is broken.
Hi Nicholas,
Thanks for filling in. I was supposed to be on the panel (had a whole set of remarks prepped and everything) but came down with the flu. It sounds like you did a fine job and provided a different perspective from mine (which is good and probably gave some “freshness” to the panel). I hope Ron and the rest of the team took good care of you.
Best wishes and thanks,
Marian Merritt, Symantec/Norton Internet Safety Advocate
You did a good job. The problem with the panel is that they forgot about the fine internet safety organizations already serving cyber security issues. Organizations such as i-SAFE http://www.isafe.org and the FBI http://www.fbi.gov. Both have great resources for businesses, parents, and students. Hopefully next time!