Category Archives: Announcement

Host Unknown does the RANT Conference

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Host Unknown WatermarkLast week saw our presenters trying their hand at working the conference circuit, as attendees, presenters and vendors, and all in one day.

Apparently it was a success, and despite the somewhat dubious swag that was given away throughout the day there was a lot of interest in what Host Unknown has to offer the info sec world (Although Andy will say it was more down the the bucket of sweets he was handing out, Javvad will talk endlessly about his nail files and Thom will proselytize about the merits of stickers).

Since Host Unknown is obviously now playing with the big boys in the conference space, we decided to put together a series of Top Tips on how to successfully attend a conference and have your brand make an impact. These tips are vital to anyone looking to get the most out of meeting their potential customers for the first time. Use them with caution though, they are powerful stuff!

Tip 1: Get your story straight. Ensure you are all know what your key messages are and that they are consistent.

Tip 2: Always promote your brand. Use every opportunity to get your brand ahead of your competitors.

Tip 3: Share the days workload with your colleagues. Conferences make for long days, so make sure you do your best to support each other throughout.

Tip 4: Ask for constructive feedback from the other vendors. They were new to this game as well, and that conference camaraderie means they will always help you to improve.

Tip 5: Leave your potential customer knowing who you are. They should be in no doubt as to who you are and what your brand stands for.

The first tip was posted yesterday, with another one coming every day for the next four days.

Look out for our in depth review of the RANT Conference next week! The internet phenomenon known as Host Unknown is now officially in business.

Is CISSP out of touch with modern information security?

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“An issue for the industry, and for (ISC)2 in general, is that the membership may be seen as middle aged and out of touch.”

(Interview with Wim Remes & Dave Lewis, (ISC)2 Board Members)

Host Unknown disagrees.

To us, the CISSP has always been for people of varied backgrounds and skills, and like a good pair of flared corduroys, has never really gone out of fashion. Yet how could we demonstrate it’s appeal with the infosec practitioners around the world, let alone (ISC)2, and show that not only can you save the world with a CISSP but you also get the girl (or boy)? We turned to the learned works of Mr Cent (50) for inspiration, and in conversation over the giant mimosa we were sharing he said to us

“Forget all the CIA talk – you gots to get real on this CISSP shizzle”

Wise words indeed Mr The Cent.

Just as the A-Team makes an escape vehicle when trapped in a drug overlords shed, Host Unknown produces its best work when under pressure and locked in a panic room. Three weeks later, we present to you our answer to the CISSP being “out of touch”.

Host Unknown brings a touch of class to RANT Conference 2014

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cropped-header-rantIt has been a long time since our last post, but that is not because we have been sitting on our hardy’s; no, in fact we have been hard at work trying to ensure our unique brand of information security awareness goes to those that most deserve it. Host Unknown is known for it’s philanthropic endeavours, keeping at least three people and their families off the street amongst many other charitable causes that we don’t like to talk about in public, and so it came as no surprise when we were approached by Acumin to help with their latest conference.

The fledgling RANT Conference, only in it’s second year this year and running on the 12th June, has asked Host Unknown to play a keynote role to ensure the conference gets as much coverage and as many attendees as possible. How could we refuse? We are very pleased to place their logo on our site, and ours on theirs (although we expect our traffic to drive to their site considerably more than the other way around of course).

As part of the negotiations we also have a booth at the conference in order to help bring a touch of respectability to it. We will be signing autographs and allowing photographs AND selfies to be taken with our presenters. We hope to bring a touch of class and respectability to the vendor area that is often easily lost at these kinds of events.

Details of our primary keynote role will be published shortly, and whilst we know many of you will be attending the RANT Conference in order to simply meet and be with Host Unknown, we are fairly confident you will also get at least some benefit from the other sessions and speakers.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Our serious luvvies. Not.

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Last week we were led to believe that our presenters had decided to turn their backs on their presenting and “comedy” careers and focus on serious acting. We thought the world may be a better place for it but it appears they were ill prepared for their new lives  in the acting illuminati.

The following is some behind the scenes footage of their day spent filming where it becomes obvious they were more interested in their stomachs than rehearsing.

It looks like we will have to take them back into Host Unknown.

Just in case you missed the original, here it is again: