Seattle, USA ― September 19, 2013 ― IOActive, Inc., the leading global provider of specialist information security services, today announced that the company is ramping up its recruitment in South America, and will have three of its top security researchers present their acclaimed research next week at Ekoparty – South America’s largest IT security conference.
“Following our acquisition of Argeniss Security in 2011, we have seen our presence in this rapidly developing region grow from strength to strength. We are now also seeing an increased demand amongst Global 500 companies to have a global delivery framework delivered via a local presence. This has presented us with a fantastic opportunity to recruit more talented security researchers and consultants in this exciting region,” said Jennifer Steffens, chief executive officer for IOActive. “The schooling systems in many South American countries are producing highly skilled graduates and are a rich source of new talent to IOActive, capable of delivering expertise at a global level.”
IOActive established itself in Argentina two and half years ago following the acquisition of Argeniss Security and today has staff based throughout South America. With the growing trend amongst Global 500 organisations negotiating contracts at a global level but requiring execution with local teams, the need has arisen for IOActive to recruit more talented staff into the region.
Over the past few months, IOActive’s growth can be seen with the opening of their new South African office providing the company with the opportunity to expand its delivery capability in sub-Sahara Africa. Additionally, last week the company announced it was opening its new premises in central London, a more spacious venue for engaging with customers and members of the security community.
Ekoparty
To celebrate their time in South America, IOActive will be taking part in the largest IT security conference in the region – Ekoparty. As an event sponsor, IOActive will be using the event to showcase itself to new customers and potential recruits. The company will also have three of its renowned researchers presenting their findings and it will also be sponsoring the event.
At Ekoparty, Chris Valasek, director of security intelligence for IOActive, and famed car hacking researcher, will present his new research titled ’String Allocations in Internet Explorer’. In addition to this, world authorities on Industrial Control Systems(ICS), Lucas Apa and Carlos Penagos will present their acclaimed research titled ’Compromising Industrial Facilities From 40 Miles Away’.
Here is an overview of IOActive’s presentations at the event:
-
Chris Valasek – String Allocations in Internet Explorer
In his presentation, Valasek will focus on how the allocation of memory, specifically user_controlled strings, has played a major role in browser exploitation, especially with regards to heap spraying. The underlying knowledge of JavaScript string allocations was widespread for Internet Explorer 6 through 7. However, while heap spray attacks adapted to changes in Internet Explorer 8 through 9, public foundational knowledge did not keep pace. Finally, the presentation will cover the brief history of string allocations from Internet Explorer 6 to Internet Explorer 8 and explore current memory management methods for Internet Explorer 9. It will conclude with a look at how newly acquired knowledge can be useful for browser exploitation. -
Lucas Apa and Carlos Penagos – Compromising Industrial Facilities From 40 Miles Away
Having uncovered multiple critical vulnerabilities in wireless technologies used extensively in the ICS world, this presentation will reveal the dangers of employing poorly implemented and vulnerable communication technologies in facilities that include inherently high profile targets for terrorists; where the price of an attack can be catastrophic. Utilities and Asset managers attending the event will be able to understand and appreciate what they can do to mitigate and protect against this new class of threat.
Ekoparty takes place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 25-27 September. IOActive is proud to be a Gold and VIP Dinner sponsor of the event. For more information on the event, please visit: http://www.ekoparty.org/.
About IOActive
IOActive is a comprehensive, high-end information security services firm with a long and established pedigree in delivering elite security services to its customers. Our world-renowned consulting and research teams deliver a portfolio of specialist security services ranging from penetration testing and application code assessment through to semiconductor reverse engineering. Global 500 companies across every industry continue to trust IOActive with their most critical and sensitive security issues. Founded in 1998, IOActive is headquartered in Seattle, USA, with global operations through the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pac regions. Visit www.ioactive.com for more information.
-###-