Crusading Security Journalist Ben Makuch

to Keynote (ISC)² Security Congress

April 26 2017

Award-Winning National Security Reporter for VICE News to Discuss New Challenges

to Security, Privacy and Investigative Journalism at 7th Annual Security Congress



Clearwater, FL, April 26, 2017 – (ISC)²® (“ISC-squared”) today announced award-winning national security reporter Ben Makuch will be a keynote speaker at the seventh annual Security Congress Sept. 25-27 at the JW Marriott Austin in Austin, TX. Makuch covers a broad array of cybersecurity issues impacting Canadian national security. On his VICELAND show, he focuses on major hacks, the future of war and more. Makuch and his publisher, VICE Media, are currently appealing a Canadian court order to produce and share information he obtained in the course of reporting on a Canadian citizen turned accused terrorist.

“Whether it’s receiving leaked information online or communicating with accused criminals or even alleged terrorists, journalists are encountering new challenges in their missions of informing the public with very serious questions about press freedoms, privacy and security,” says (ISC)² CEO David Shearer. “Ben’s story underscores this evolving dynamic between reporters’ ability to serve the public interest and government’s role in combating terrorists and prosecuting criminals. There will be many different opinions among Security Congress attendees, but we are happy to host Ben and to learn about his experiences and how he sees technology continuing to shape many cybersecurity issues.”

Ben Makuch is an award winning national security reporter with VICE News. Previously with the Canadian Press’s Parliamentary Bureau, Makuch was in contact with several homegrown Islamic State militants from Canada. That reporting caught the attention of federal counterterrorism investigators who are trying to force Makush to hand over all source materials connected to Farah Mohamed Shirdon, an alleged ISIS fighter from Calgary. Makuch refused and is now fighting the production order in court. He faces possible jail time if he loses. Makuch is currently the correspondent for Cyberwar on the VICELAND network, an investigative documentary series examining the covert world of signals intelligence and hackers.

About (ISC)2 Security Cogress

(ISC)² Security Congress will bring together more than 1,500 professionals from around the world for four days of education, best-practice sharing and networking. This year’s conference tracks include: Cloud Security; Cyber Crime; Critical Infrastructure; Incident Response & Forensics; Governance, Regulation & Compliance; Identity Access Management; People & Security; Professional Development; Software Assurance/Application Security; Swiss Army Knife; and Threats.

(ISC)² members are eligible for special discounted pricing. Early registration rates are available until July 31. More details are available at congress.isc2.org.

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About (ISC)²®

(ISC)² is an international nonprofit membership association focused on inspiring a safe and secure cyber world. Best known for the acclaimed Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®) certification, (ISC)2 offers a portfolio of credentials that are part of a holistic, programmatic approach to security. Our membership, over 120,000 strong, is made up of certified cyber, information, software and infrastructure security professionals who are making a difference and helping to advance the industry. Our vision is supported by our commitment to educate and reach the general public through our charitable foundation– The Center for Cyber Safety and EducationTM. For more information on (ISC)², visit www.isc2.org, follow us on Twitter or connect with us on Facebook.

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