2008-03-01
Abstract
'We often hear from VB conference delegates that the networking opportunities at the conference are as valuable to them as the presentations themselves.' Helen Martin, Virus Bulletin
Copyright © 2008 Virus Bulletin
Eagle-eyed visitors to the VB website may have noticed some changes over recent weeks. While the overall look of the site has benefited from a long overdue makeover, a number of more substantive changes and additions can be found in the site's contents.
For newcomers to the industry some of the terminology used in the security field can be quite baffling (indeed, with the ever-changing nature of malware and constant redefining of the battle lines, it can sometimes be baffling even for the more established members of the industry). With this in mind VB has created a comprehensive glossary of commonly used terms. Jargon-busting definitions are provided for 150 security-related words, phrases, acronyms and expressions. To keep up with the pace of new security technologies, the glossary will be expanded on an ongoing basis - and suggestions for suitable additions (as well as enhancements to current definitions) are encouraged (please email suggestions to [email protected]).
Visitors to the 'latest news' section of the website are now able to post comments on the stories, whether to relate personal experiences or air opinions on the hot topics of the day. While the subscriber base of Virus Bulletin magazine is firmly rooted in the anti-malware industry and boasts a wealth of experience and extensive technical knowledge, visitors to the VB website are a more eclectic bunch, encompassing novice home-users, passionate hobbyists and sys admins at all levels and within all sizes of business. It is hoped that the comment facility will promote discussion among visitors and that in some cases the more knowledgeable of VB's readers will be able to guide and assist those less well versed in the complexities of anti-malware technologies.
Travel seems to play a large part in the roles of many of VB's regular readers - whether as spokespeople jetting between press appointments, researchers travelling to conferences, seminars and meetings or security specialists flitting between international offices. For those always on the go we have created a mobile-compatible version of the VB website. The mobile version displays the full content of the site in PDA-friendly format and can be accessed by clicking the link at the bottom of any page. Alternatively, it can be bookmarked in your favourite mobile device and accessed directly at http://www.virusbtn.com/mobile.
2007 seemed to be a year of career moves within the AV industry (even besides the gravitation of researchers towards Redmond), and as vendors attempt to keep up with the flood of new malware arriving daily in their research labs, recruitment may well be on their minds. The most recent addition to the VB website is an anti-malware industry jobs directory. As an independent body in the industry we feel that VB is well placed to become a central point where anybody interested in a job in the anti-malware field can find the relevant information and recruiters likewise can advertise their posts to a pool of qualified candidates. Jobs will be searchable by country, date and keyword, and recruiters will be able to post and update their own ads free of charge. More details can be found at http://www.virusbtn.com/resources/jobs/.
Moving away for a moment from the VB website, we know how important networking is in this industry, promoting collaborative efforts and the exchange of ideas - indeed we often hear from VB conference delegates that the networking opportunities at the conference are as valuable to them as the presentations themselves. With this in mind, VB has hopped aboard the networking bandwagon and created groups for VB conference delegates and speakers on professional networking site LinkedIn. Interested parties are encouraged to join the groups at http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/58020/183A0F002019 (speakers), and http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/58008/074CEA1AF992 (delegates).
As ever, Virus Bulletin remains dedicated to its quest to provide an exceptional source of information for all matters relevant to the anti-malware industry - we hope you enjoy our efforts, and we welcome all your feedback.
