Security Luminary and Industry Pioneer Dan Geer to Keynote Black Hat USA 2014

SAN FRANCISCO, June 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Black Hat, the world's leading family of information security events, announced that Dan Geer, Chief Information Security Officer at In-Q-Tel, and widely considered one of the security industry's foremost pioneers will keynote Black Hat USA 2014. Known for his revolutionary work around the economics of security as well as his many contributions and research within the risk management space, Geer is undoubtedly regarded as a visionary in the information security field. Black Hat USA will take place August 2-7 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. For more information and to register, visit www.blackhat.com.

Dan Geer is currently the CISO for In-Q-Tel, a not-for-profit venture capital firm that works to invest in technology that supports the missions of the Central Intelligence Agency and the broader U.S. intelligence community. His history within the security industry is both extensive and striking. Looking at just a few of his accomplishments, Geer was a key contributor to the development of the X Window System as well as the Kerberos authentication protocol while a member of the Athena Project at MIT in the 1980s. Shortly after, Geer created the first information security consulting firm on Wall Street in 1992, followed by organizing one of the first academic conferences on electronic commerce in 1995.  Geer is also the past president of the USENIX Association where he earned a Lifetime Achievement Award.

His varied history in the industry gives him a truly unique perspective on the importance and future of information security. In recent years, Geer has gained additional recognition for his controversial yet influential 2003 paper titled, "CyberInsecurity: The Cost of Monopoly," that argued Microsoft's dominance of desktop operating systems was a threat to national security. Continuing his leadership in the field, Geer launched the site SecurityMetrics.Org in 2004, convened MetriCon in 2006 and is the author of two books: "Economics & Strategies of Data Security," and "Cybersecurity & National Policy." He also created the Index of Cyber Security in 2011 and the Cyber Security Decision Market in 2012. Often cited for his thoughtful security philosophy and deep industry expertise, Geer has testified before Congress five times and has consulted with numerous startups and their investors. Dan Geer is a 1972 graduate of MIT with a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, as well as a 1988 Harvard graduate where he received his Doctor of Science (Sc.D) in biostatics.

Dan Geer will take the keynote stage at Black Hat USA on August 6, 2014. In his talk, "Cybersecurity as Realpolitik," Geer will examine the use of power in security. He explains, "Power exists to be used. Some wish for cyber safety, which they will not get.  Others wish for cyber order, which they will not get.  Some have the eye to discern cyber policies that are 'the least worst thing;' may they fill the vacuum of wishful thinking."

This year Black Hat will welcome the world's brightest information security professionals and researchers from around the world to reveal vulnerabilities that impact everything from popular consumer devices to the airport security measures we use everyday. For more information and to register for Black Hat USA 2014, visit www.blackhat.com.

Sponsors of Black Hat USA 2014 include Diamond Sponsors: Microsoft, Qualys and RSA; Platinum Plus Sponsors: Blue Coat Systems, Cisco, FireEye, Juniper Networks, Lieberman Software, Palo Alto Networks and Verizon; Platinum Sponsors: Accuvant, AlienVault, Core Security Technology, IBM, LogRhythm and Tenable Network Security.

About Black Hat

For more than 16 years, Black Hat has provided attendees with the very latest in information security research, development, and trends. These high-profile global events and trainings are driven by the needs of the security community, striving to bring together the best minds in the industry. Black Hat inspires professionals at all career levels, encouraging growth and collaboration among academia, world-class researchers, and leaders in the public and private sectors. Black Hat Briefings and Trainings are held annually in the United States, Europe and Asia, and are produced by UBM Tech. More information is available at: http://www.blackhat.com. 

About UBM Tech

UBM Tech is a global media business that brings together the world's technology communities through live events, online properties and custom services. UBM Tech's community-focused approach provides its users and clients with expertly curated research, education, training, community advocacy, user-generated content and peer-to-peer engagement opportunities that serve the Electronics, Security, Enterprise IT and Communications, Network Infrastructure and Applications, Game and App Developers, and Tech Marketing communities. UBM Tech's brands include Black Hat, DesignCon, EE Times, Enterprise Connect, Game Developers Conference (GDC), HDI, InformationWeek, and Interop. Create, a UBM Tech full range marketing services division, includes custom events, content marketing solutions, community development and demand generation programs based on its content and technology market expertise. UBM Tech is a part of UBM (UBM.L), a global provider of media and information services with a market capitalization of more than $2.5 billion. For more information, go to http://tech.ubm.com.

SOURCE Black Hat