Information Security Conference at HCC

In today's era of Internet scams, identity theft and cyber fraud, Big Brother really is watching.

Increased internet security, the widespread use of surveillance cameras and state laws that call for businesses and institutions to better protect the confidentiality of their information is among the issues addressed at the Information Security Conference held on Oct 16 in the Leslie Phillips Theater at HCC.

HCC Director of Information Technology Division Gene Kingsley said more than 180 people pre-registered to attend the conference. October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Students enrolled in computer science and information security also attended.

The conference included vendors from such security and computer businesses as Holyoke Gas and Electric, SafeCore Co., of Burlington, Whalley Computer Associates, of South Hadley, and Genetecs, with headquarters in Montreal.

William Oleksak, corporate account executive for Whalley Computers, a chief sponsor of the event, said it was important to get the word out to everyone about changes in state laws that deal with security breach issues and ways to ensure companies and colleges are compliant.

Among speakers for the event was FBI special agent Timothy Russell, who spoke on current cyber crime trends. MassMutual security specialists Brian Bonsall and Nancy Heath talked about information security in business and personal use, and consequences of security failure, identity theft and illegal encryption issues.

Photos above, left and right
HCC student Lance Hopkins (left) with HCC IT Director Gene Kingsley at Information Security Conference

Christopher Ritter of Genetec demonstrates surveillance software capability to onlookers.

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