Seattle Security Community

Each week, we’ll highlight a major city in the US and cover the places and events you can go to in that area to get your security information fix. This post is part of the information security communities project.

Emerald City. It’s best known for its coffee and since caffeine fuels ideas, lots of great security guys flock to this city. Well, that and the great technology community in the area. Let us share a few local professional groups based in Seattle.

• OWASP Seattle Chapter – A chaper of the Open Web Application Security Project, this group is made up of  volunteers and it is free for anyone to join (RSVPing might be required though). This local group features support from both local university advisors and law enforcement units. A couple of the latest presentations made were “When Tools Are Not Enough – Best Practices for Securing Web Applications” and “When Tools Are Not Enough – Best Practices for Securing Web Applications”. Join their mailing list here.
• ISSA, Puget Sound –  This non-profit security group meets every third Thursday except on October due to the SecureWorld Expo. Perks of being a member include reduced rates at ISSA events, CPE credits and lots of opportunities to network. Presentations are also welcome.
• ISACA – Puget Sound – The main purpose of this chapter of ISACA is “to promote the education of individuals for the improvement and development of their capabilities relating to the auditing of and/or management consulting in the field of information systems audit and control”. They’re currently on break but will resume monthly meetings on September. Meetings are every third Tuesday of each month and everyone is welcome even non-members. Please register in advance.
• NAISG Seattle Chapter – The group meets at Bellevue Community College every month and it is free to the general populace. Past presentations include “Duct Tape, Band-Aids and Bubble Gum Shouldn’t Be Used to Build Security” and “How Secure Are You? Keeping Secure in an Interconnected World”. Click here to join.

Local meetings are a great place to meet up with other infosec people in a non-structured way. Chip in for some pizza, beer and the latest security exploits.

• DC206 – This group is open to all people “interested in the alternate applications of modern technology.” Monthly meetings are held at The Black Lodge. Join the mailing list and find out more about them.
• Wa2600 – Meetings are held every first Friday at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center (and are free too). People here have a passion for technology and like to tinker so bring your

For the folks more into voiding warranties, there are a few hackerspaces in the city as well.

• Saturday House – A loose group of people (mostly geeks and their friends) who meet regularly to discuss anything. Currently they are nomadic and have no single space but if you want to keep track of them, go ahead and join their mailing list or follow @saturdayhouse.
• Jigsaw Renaissance – No, they don’t assemble jigsaw puzzles (not exclusively anyway). This collective encourages communal learning and all-out tinkering while promoting sustainability.
• Hackerbot Labs – You’ve got to love their tag line: “Smoke is how a circuit board expresses love.” This is a private space so get in touch if you want to know more.
• Metrix Create – This group holds fee-based monthly workshops from basic electronics to Arduino programming. Some past highlights include vegan deer trophies and life-size yeti sculptures.

Also, take note of a few events and un/conferences in the city. These are not exclusively security-based gatherings but each do carry the spirit of technology sharing (and probably some booze at some point).

• SecureWorld Expo – Held each year in October, the SecureWorld Expo is one of the major security events in the region. It features keynotes, training sessions and roundtables. The next event is on October 27 – 28.
• Ignite Seattle – An unconference bringing geeks with ideas together four times a year. Speakers get five minutes to strut their stuff on stage.
• BarCampSeattle – An open environment where people share and learn. Free flowing technology and fun for everyone!
• Seattle Mind Camp – Another unconference. Sessions and schedules are designed by attendees.

I hope you got your fill from the links above. If you like, you can contact us to help get in touch with a local group or event.