CODI and other news
Tickets for my cyber security themed show for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe have gone on sale here
This is hosted as part of the Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas. For details on CODI please see part 13 and part 48 of this series of blog posts. It’s taking place in the New Town Theatre on the 14th of August. The show is different this year. It’s called Cybercrime is not just for criminals. Here is the blurb:
Hackers are convicted for cybercrime. But should the collection and sale of personal data from social media be classed as a cybercrime? Is it a crime for parents to allow their children mobile phones with access to the internet? If manufacturers knowingly sell insecure devices that give access inside our homes, is this a cybercrime? Cybersecurity expert Garry Scobie (The University of Edinburgh) asks whether the need to post about every aspect of our lives is making us all criminals?
I’ve also been asked to perform my previous show, “My neighbour hacked my toothbrush” at The Stand Comedy Club in Glasgow on the 20th of July. I’ve blogged previously about CODI and what it’s all about so please check back for details. Tickets for this can be found here
AKJ Associates who provide security networking events have invited me to record a talk for an upcoming virtual conference in September. I’m going to be talking about the challenges securing Universities from cyber attack.
The next in-person SASIG (Security Awareness Special Interest Group) event is an all-day affair hosted by The University of Edinburgh on Tuesday 13th of June. I’ve been asked to do the keynote speech so I’m opening on the topic of Is This the Digital Dark Age? For those who have read my novel The Kill Chain, you will likely recognise I’ve switched the first two words around from the strapline of the book to pose the question. This is my first ever keynote and I’m pretty nervous, but looking forward to it.
I’ve also agreed to do a live talk for new students in September, called Why Information Security is Important. I did blog in Part 43 about the difficulties of saying no and trying to be selective about what I take on. However, it was nice to be offered an additional CODI slot and I’ve spoken previously for AKJ Associates so again it was good to be asked back. Both these are worthwhile doing and I’m excited for them. I did the student session last year which was not well attended, but even if I can get a few people to be more cyber security aware then it will have been worth it.
The headshot for this years festival show was one I had taken at The Stand in Edinburgh during a bootcamp put on for performers. I had no idea the photographer was going to be there and I had to sit with this huge silver disk on my lap to reflect the light from a spotlight which was under an umbrella. All very surreal. I don’t like having my photograph taken but it’s necessary for these things. I really wish I hadn’t been wearing that jumper, but it is what it is. I did come across a new photograph taken during last years fringe so I’ve used that for this blog. Photography is not allowed other than by the professional hired for the role, so there is only a few in circulation that are used to advertise the shows.
If you are in Edinburgh or Glasgow it would be great to see you there and if you can push the links round your own networks that would be so appreciated. I’m not sure how the Festival is going to go this year in terms of attendance. Ticket prices are up and the cost of living crises may have an impact. I was unable to stay over for one of my shows last year as it was a Saturday night and as a performer, I was priced out of the hotels. It was a bit sad having to leave the stage, and rather than stay for a drink and relax, I had to rush to the station to catch a train home. Other performers have also raised this as an issue for them. The cost of putting on a show and the overheads of staying in Edinburgh due to the inflated prices because of the Festival has resulted in some performers not being able to take part. Putting on a free show is great for the public, but there is a cost involved that the performer has to meet. I wouldn’t want to see the Festival becoming an event only the well-off can afford to attend. I have heard of a camping site outside the city where performers stay during their time here. This is not great, but Edinburgh has an accommodation problem. Rents are high, fewer properties up for sale at inflated prices, more properties turned over to AirBnB, fewer landlords going into the business of renting; it’s all contributing to a problem that is becoming increasingly challenging to fix.
Despite all this, the buzz created by the Festival is like nothing on earth, and I’m excited to be taking part again this year.
The Fiction Factory 