The RANT Forum has been running for the best part of a decade, and is the leading networking event for senior end user information security professionals. This time last year we were gearing up for our very first RANT Conference. Some might try to tell you much has changed since then, and that we now stand on the edge of a major shift in our industry, but some things never change. Rewind twelve months and weathermen were still banding around terms like “changing”, “unsettled”, and “inclement” as freely then as they are now. The Met Office must have one heck of a big data programme to declare with such regularity that this is the wettest/coldest/most disappointing summer/weekend/Diamond Jubilee since records began. Buzzwords, mild mass hysteria, and security snake oil aside, the true info sec professional knows that in the past year not too much has truly changed.
Last year’s conference was a long time in the making, the logical next step for what is an increasingly popular monthly event. It was a calculated risk to make the move from informal debate with a pint in hand, to a full day’s schedule of educational talks and panels, whilst still maintaining the spirit of RANT. We did it though, thanks in no small part to an engaging set of speakers and an ever-willing audience – Mark Stevenson terrified us with tales of 3D printing and DIY pharmaceuticals, the old hands took on the MSc students in University Challenge, and Stephen Bonner dispensed chocolates with his usual aplomb.
2013 was a learning process, the vast majority of the agenda worked well, whilst one or two sessions didn’t quite hit the right chord with everyone. Where last year was our debut breakthrough, a hit with those in the know, this year is very much ‘difficult second album’ territory. No rock stars this time, but there will be plenty of FUQs (Frequently Unanswered Questions).
So, now we find ourselves rapidly approaching the big kick-off on 12th June 2014. This is the culmination of months of hard work and preparation, and what promises to be the big event of the summer is just a couple of short weeks away … no I’m not referring to this year’s World Cup, forget Rio, this is the Road to RANT!
RANT is for the security community and driven by your passions and peeves, the topics we discuss are based on what you’ve told us you want to see. We have put together a carefully curated agenda of informative, informal, and entertaining sessions across the day, and an intriguing line-up of evening entertainment. With 25+ speakers; an interactive format; CPE credits up for grabs; and maybe even a beverage or two, the only thing missing is you, so please join us at the RANT Conference 2014.
As a media partner for the conference, we are delighted to offer Information Security Buzz readers an exclusive discount code for 50% off the nominal price of a day pass. Please visit www.rantconference.com to learn more, or contact Ryan Farmer (rfarmer@acumin.co.uk) for your code.
All our events operate under Chatham House Rule. Entry is available to end user information security professionals only.
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