Friday, July 21, 2006

NoVA Sec Founded

Inspired by Matasano's ChiSec, I decided to start NoVA Sec. Here's the deal. We find a place to meet, we pick a time, and we talk security tech.

I do not want to hear the terms CISSP, FISMA, DITSCAP, C&A, or any related subjects. If you are a security type in the northern Virginia area -- and you perform operational security work -- we want to meet you. If you read, write, audit, or enforce regulations, you won't like this group.

I am working on finding a location. I would like to hold our first meeting in August. If you have any suggestions, please post them as comments below. Thank you.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Richard,

Sounds great and depending on time and location, I would definately like to particpate.

As for location suggestion, what type of venu are you looking to create? Are you thinking of a conference room type setting like the ISSA-NOVA meetings, but on a maybe a smaller scale. Or are you looking for something open and less format like the DC2600 group meetins?

Richard Bejtlich said...

Hello,

I was hoping for a place with food and free wireless. I thought if we just show up at someone's conference room (like NoVA ISSA) that might be boring,

Anonymous said...

Question is, will it move?

Good luck.

Anonymous said...

We could take a hint and have it at the same place as the SAGE does: The Brickskellar near Dupont Circle. Its a bar that prides itself on having the largest number of beers available in the world.


If we're looking for a place with caffeine instead of alcohol, all (or at least the ones I've been to) Panera have free wireless and caffeinated beverages.

Either way, this sounds like a great idea. The area could use it since Security-Geeks DC folded up. My vote's for Thursday evenings.

Richard Bejtlich said...

Here are two lists of places in VA with free wireless.

You mentioned Panera Bread. I wasn't sure how people might react to that, but I propose holding the first meeting at this location. After that let's move it around, as suggested by the previous poster.

Richard Bejtlich said...

Should we try to hold a meeting before Black Hat starts this weekend? If yes, Thursday evening? If yes, after work? If yes, how late?

Anonymous said...

Ouch, Manassas is a bit far for those living/working in/near DC (at least during rush hour). But, majority rules, and moving it around every month means I'd have no reason to complain if its far away sometimes.

Thursday early evenings, like 7pm seems good by me. Pre or post-Black Hat isn't as important to me as keeping the momentum going once it starts.

Unknown said...

I like thursday nights and the idea of moving it around. Panera is a good location but it might be outgrown quickly depending on how many people show up. I'm interested in coming and I also don't have a preference about before or after Black Hat.

Anonymous said...

i'd love to attend but am in baltimore. w/ rushour i wouldn't get to manassas until 9pm.

depending how successful NOVAsec is, maybe we can start up an MDsec as well.

Richard Bejtlich said...

It looks like Blogspot is providing RSS natively now?

novasec.blogspot.com/rss.xml

Anonymous said...

Are we meeting this thursday for sure?

Richard Bejtlich said...

Let's wait. I'll post another date soon.

Anonymous said...

I'll definitely attend. When posting the date, please ensure there's enough time for folks to see in order to plan attendance. In other words, please don't post that it's tomorrow. Two weeks from the date you post would be adequate enough for me to plan appropriately.

Anonymous said...

Metro accessible would be fantastic... Manassas is just so far from cilvilization.

Anonymous said...

I think something off of 267 in Reston or Vienna would be nice. It's easy(er) for people coming from DC/Beltway and just a shot up 28 or FFX Co Pkwy and Manassass people. Tyson's requires a lot of side road driving in less than ideal traffic conditions.

Now I am drawing a blank on facilities in that area....

Anonymous said...

Would one be welcome if one is stuck with policy and regulations, but is trying to keep a finger in the operational security pie?

Anonymous said...

There's a Panera @ Reston Town Centre.

Anonymous said...

Would one be welcome if one is stuck with policy and regulations, but is trying to keep a finger in the operational security pie?

Agree. The customers in this town don't want network security, they want loose-leaf-binder C&A shelfware. Sometimes you have to take the work you can get.

Anonymous said...

Can I join you even if I live in Maryland?

Richard Bejtlich said...

Yes, but we won't hold meetings in MD.

Anonymous said...

So basically you say if I do "auditing", as in pen-testing, blackhat testing ,etc, I wouldn't like this meeting?

Richard Bejtlich said...

Anonymous,

I said

"If you read, write, audit, or enforce regulations, you won't like this group."

emphasis is on regulations.

If you do pen tests, etc., I think you will like this group.