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When Security Compromises Security – The Caesars/Defcon debacle

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Re: When Security Compromises Security – The Caesars/Defcon debacle

#21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They don't make any sense. Anyone planning something will now anticipate this. It only discourages honest people from staying in a traditional hotel. You can either relax in an air-bnb or worry about the hotel service demanding entry to your room (while being reminded of horrific mass shootings).

You're trying to make it sound like AirBnB would be a better option, but just no. A hotel has accountability at least. AirBnB as an organization has and takes none, and you have to deal with the individual and their house yourself. A hotel chain has their reputation to maintain, a random guy renting out his apartment doesn't.

Most Airbnb hosts seem to care about their review history.

Re: When Security Compromises Security – The Caesars/Defcon debacle

#22
On the other hand Black Hat Asia is freaking awesome and pretty much the best BH I've been to and I keep hearing about CCC being way better thsn Defcon. There are options outside the US!

Also if you're into crypto you should go to the summerschool in Croatia or the workshops at Eurocrypt!

Re: When Security Compromises Security – The Caesars/Defcon debacle

#23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They don't make any sense. Anyone planning something will now anticipate this. It only discourages honest people from staying in a traditional hotel. You can either relax in an air-bnb or worry about the hotel service demanding entry to your room (while being reminded of horrific mass shootings).

You're trying to make it sound like AirBnB would be a better option, but just no. A hotel has accountability at least. AirBnB as an organization has and takes none, and you have to deal with the individual and their house yourself. A hotel chain has their reputation to maintain, a random guy renting out his apartment doesn't.

That's true but the sad thing is that random people renting out their apartments are, in practice, more accountable via airbnb reviews than a major hotel chain who can implement an evil policy like this across their properties and do a lot of damage before it's reined in.

Re: When Security Compromises Security – The Caesars/Defcon debacle

#24
post #14
post #9

We live in a sad world when hotel room searches are normal and accepted.

Careful with the "we". This is very much just an American thing.

As an American, I would raise hell if a hotel owner searched my room for no reason.

Re: When Security Compromises Security – The Caesars/Defcon debacle

#25
who thinks it's a good idea to host anything in the US in 2018. they should host both blackhat & defcon outside the US also to include infosec experts that are otherwise discriminated against. (anyone with a Muslim name or simply an non-US passport). Fuck that country and fuck their events.

Re: When Security Compromises Security – The Caesars/Defcon debacle

#27
post #22

On the other hand Black Hat Asia is freaking awesome and pretty much the best BH I've been to and I keep hearing about CCC being way better thsn Defcon. There are options outside the US! Also if you're into crypto you should go to the summerschool in Croatia or the workshops at Eurocrypt!

CCC is better than Defcon. It's actual hackers, not the Infosec Industry.

Re: When Security Compromises Security – The Caesars/Defcon debacle

#28

I am not part of the DEFCON community, but every year I hear about warrantless searches, equipment seized art the border and hacker arrests. I wonder why anyone, not least security researchers, would take the risk of going there. Just so as you guys know, we have conference facilities in Europe...

Much of the "we stand up to authority" hubbub of US security researchers and developers is mostly an act. The sentiment is there to comfort the participants and validate their existence, just like in many other industries. While I hope I am wrong I wouldn't expect people not to fold when it matters. Somewhat understandably so since the current alternative is arguably, or at least ultimately, exile.

Just look at this situation. Unless hotel security have been breaking the law, which is unlikely, staying at these hotels means they can legally search your room and possibly your things. The only thing standing in the way of this is the reaction from the organizers and attendees. So if you care about your rights you don't really have much of a choice than to react and moving, at least out of Las Vegas, shouldn't be a hard decision.

And this would be illegal in at least part of Europe since a hotel room is categorized as a temporary residence.

Re: When Security Compromises Security – The Caesars/Defcon debacle

#29
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it makes you feel any better, a year or two ago DEFCON started a second location not in the United States! They chose... China.

I suppose this is a conference for the daring folks.

It’s not like anyone is taking their actual laptop to DEFCON…

Re: When Security Compromises Security – The Caesars/Defcon debacle

#30
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1029059581136105472.html (linked in this article) makes me question the professionality of the Caesars' hotel staff.

At least say you're sorry and don't make your 20-year long business partner lose his job over your fuckup?

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