For the previous 12 years in Austin, TX, the final week of October has been reserved for the Lonestar Software Safety Convention (LASCON). Unequivocally, LASCON is the perfect cybersecurity convention you’ve gotten by no means heard of!
LASCON is the annual confab of the Austin, TX OWASP (the Open Worldwide Software Safety Challenge) chapter. OWASP is a volunteer group that could be a treasure trove of utility safety info with issues equivalent to requirements, dialogue teams, documentation, and extra. The group tracks the annual OWASP High 10 internet utility safety dangers and is the proverbial north star for builders searching for safer coding practices.
LASCON 2023 talks are recorded and accessible.
As a convention, LASCON rolls up its metaphorical sleeves and places on a wonderful present. The individuality of LASCON:
- Delivers distinctive content material centered on utility safety
- Provides each attendee the chance to problem themselves and achieve new life abilities
- Gives bodily and cerebral leisure
Distinctive content material
LASCON is wholly dedicated to discussing, exploring, and showcasing utility safety. Take a look at the 2023 agenda right here to see the in depth programming centered on utility safety.
Why is utility safety so essential? On the earth of cybersecurity, the subset of utility safety is the final mile and the realm the adversaries know could also be much less security-aware.
Software program is malleable and extensively shared. In lots of instances software program builders dwell in an setting of “simply ship it” solely to search out that unintentional vulnerabilities crept right into a manufacturing launch.
The push to “DevSecOps” or “SecDevOps” means safety disciplines are being integrated from the start to alleviate most of the issues that stem from a “simply ship it” setting.
LASCON tackles the what, why, and the way of utility safety. In 2023, there was loads of deal with the wants and advantages of automation, how improvement groups want to speak to completely different audiences, and naturally what generative-AI means for utility safety. In different phrases, one thing for everybody.
Lots of the LASCON periods had been recorded and the replays shall be accessible within the subsequent few months. I extremely suggest viewing this topical content material.
New life abilities
Just like different conferences, LASCON has an expo corridor the place sponsor-vendors showcase their know-how and provides away swag.
However…LASCON goes a step additional and brings within the Longhorn Lock Choosing Membership to arrange Lock Choose Village in a single finish of the expo corridor. Lock Choose Village focuses on locksport. This talent makes use of logical pondering, entails guide dexterity, and brings out the bodily facet of safety.
Lock Choose Village is a favourite amongst attendees and creates a bonding alternative at LASCON. The mayor of Lock Choose Village runs varied contests all through the 2 days of the convention with winners strolling away with bragging rights.
Leisure
LASCON has one thing for everybody!
Every year, the LASCON organizing group hosts “pace debates”. These debates are sarcastic, outlandish, and simply plain humorous. A moderator hosts two groups who tackle cybersecurity matters of the day and current heartfelt professional or con arguments. Matters are far-ranging and embody the necessity to make your entire passwords the identical, why cryptocurrency is the one factor that issues, and why cyber adversaries are simply doing a job. Because the debates rage on, the arguments develop into extra tongue-in-cheek, and everyone seems to be laughing on the downright absurd statements made. In case you are a developer and cyber nerd and have a humorousness, the pace debates are a must-attend exercise!
And for bodily leisure there’s the mechanical bull. Sure, you learn that appropriately, a mechanical bull – LASCON is in Texas, in spite of everything!
Throughout the afternoon of the primary day of the convention, one of many assembly rooms is magically reworked right into a corral for a mechanical bull! All you must do is signal a waiver, make your approach throughout the air-filled padding on the ground, and trip the bull! That is far easier than it sounds – signing the waiver is the best half.
Happily, the operator understands the viewers and is sort of affected person as he explains the equipment. A few of us stayed on for mere nanoseconds whereas others seemed as if they had been actual dwell cowboys! No matter the place you fall on the bull-riding spectrum, it’s an journey not quickly forgotten.
LASCON is memorable
Between the excellent content material, studying how one can decide locks, pace debating, and driving a mechanical bull, LASCON creates an enduring impression. The organizers, who’re all volunteers make the convention a should attend occasion – thanks for being so inventive with LASCON!
In 2023, I used to be lucky sufficient to be chosen as a speaker. As a thanks, the LASCON group bestows all the audio system with an epic problem coin with the theme of the convention engraved.
This token of appreciation is enormously admired and made its approach dwelling with me to a outstanding place in my workplace. I take a look at the coin every day and recall what I realized at LASCON and look ahead to the 2024 convention.
Mark your calendars for the week of October 22, 2024 for LASCON 2024. Come to Austin, TX and expertise the perfect cybersecurity convention you by no means heard of!
See you at LASCON!
