Black Hat 2011 ended here in Las Vegas yesterday at Caesars Palace just as the don't-ask-don't-tell cash-only DEFCON hacker convention was starting up over at the Rio across the I-15.
Due to an unexpectedly timed, but very delightful family commitment that came up this week, my attendance on my press pass was very Iimited so I'm hoping to catch some sessions on line and provide more information in this space soon.
I will say that I was impressed by the increase in attendance and frustrated - albeit only initially - at what that did to my ability to acquire a complimentary Black Hat bag upon showing up for my badge. It seems that attendance rose considerably from the 2010 figure of 5000+ to close to 6,500 this year. That's good news for Black Hat and for the Las Vegas economy, but bad news for the press attendees. Only 5,500 bags were ordered meaning the press was left out in the cold. However, a very nice colleague named Natalie who was maning...er...womaning the press room went upstairs and snagged a bag for me and the youngest Black Hat attendee - my 9 day old son who my wife and I brought along as I picked up my badge (that's my unexpectedly timed, but delightful family commitment). Yes - I badly wanted a bag! I actually collect those things...(FYI - if anyone wants to send me their cool convention-acquired backpacks or sponsor bags...like a past CES bag, I'm game!).
Due to an unexpectedly timed, but very delightful family commitment that came up this week, my attendance on my press pass was very Iimited so I'm hoping to catch some sessions on line and provide more information in this space soon.
I will say that I was impressed by the increase in attendance and frustrated - albeit only initially - at what that did to my ability to acquire a complimentary Black Hat bag upon showing up for my badge. It seems that attendance rose considerably from the 2010 figure of 5000+ to close to 6,500 this year. That's good news for Black Hat and for the Las Vegas economy, but bad news for the press attendees. Only 5,500 bags were ordered meaning the press was left out in the cold. However, a very nice colleague named Natalie who was maning...er...womaning the press room went upstairs and snagged a bag for me and the youngest Black Hat attendee - my 9 day old son who my wife and I brought along as I picked up my badge (that's my unexpectedly timed, but delightful family commitment). Yes - I badly wanted a bag! I actually collect those things...(FYI - if anyone wants to send me their cool convention-acquired backpacks or sponsor bags...like a past CES bag, I'm game!).
For those of you who are interested, here's what my bag from this year's convention looked like.
Unfortunately, it didn't contain any freebies like last year's bag did - including a pen that has become my favorite. I'm sure there was plenty of that stuff at the Expo, but I was able to make it there given my limited time at the conference.
Look for more information soon on this year's Black Hat in this space.
Unfortunately, it didn't contain any freebies like last year's bag did - including a pen that has become my favorite. I'm sure there was plenty of that stuff at the Expo, but I was able to make it there given my limited time at the conference.
Look for more information soon on this year's Black Hat in this space.
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