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FAQ Answers |
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What is CIScon?
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CIScon is an annual conference
hosted by Computer Institute of the Rockies (CIR), which specializes
in security awareness and training. The conference began
because CIR director Brad Smith wanted to provide affordable
technology and security training for small organizations who don't
have a lot of money to spend on their IT. Originally called the Montana Technology and
Security Symposium, we changed the name to reflect the growing
attendance by people from surrounding states. |
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Why is CIScon different from other
technology training?
(back) CIScon
focuses on bringing you presentations from experts in their fields
who will give you useful demonstrations and practical information
that you can actually go home and apply.
CIScon doesn't allow:
* vendors to pitch their products and call them training sessions, or
* talking heads with no real world IT experience who throw out theory and
don't help you solve your problems. |
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Will I learn anything
from CIScon?
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Most organizations, no matter what
type, have the same basic security requirements. We offer
sessions on a variety of topics in an attempt to provide useful
information that will apply to many job position-types, skill
levels, and business industries. Thus, we try and keep topics
somewhat general and not specific to any one industry. If
you're looking for industry-specific training or have a very narrow
job function, CIScon may not be right for you.
Past attendees have come from
various backgrounds and industries, such as financial, healthcare,
government, education, private consulting, utility, and non profit,
and based on yearly evaluation results, anywhere from 90% to 100% of
them felt attending the conference was worth their time. |
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Do I need a laptop computer to attend CIScon
2010?
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Yes. The conference includes
hands-on practice of tools, and while you could certainly just watch
others, you'll get much more out of it if you have your own laptop.
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Why does CIScon cost so little?
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CIR director Brad Smith knows how
tightly stretched most IT budgets are, and he believes all IT
professionals deserve to have training opportunities, no matter what
size organization they work for. He recognizes that most of
the cost to attend training often lies in the travel costs, and
instead of charging an arm and a leg that only a few can afford,
Brad's chosen to keep conference prices low so the training can help
as many people as possible. To keep costs, and thus conference
prices, as low as possible, you won't see fancy snacks or meals
hosted at the hotel. And proof that training doesn't need to
cost big money to be good lies in the evaluation results from our
past conferences: anywhere from 90% to 100% of attendees responded
that attending the conference was worth their time. |
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Is there a way to register more than one person without typing all
the contact information each time?
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An Excel spreadsheet form that can be
downloaded, filled out, and emailed or mailed will be available via the
Registration page. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or
email. |
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What is a
CCE?
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CCE stands for Cyber Combat
Exercise. Held as part of CIScon, it's a hands-on
security training event where participants attack a closed network
to practice the skills they've learned. For
more details, please visit the
CCE page. |
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Why is CIScon being held in Helena,
Montana?
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We'll consider other cities
for future conferences when we estimate that enough registrations
would come from those areas to offset registration losses from folks
who can't travel to attend. |
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I've been to CIScon before. Where are
the multiple tracks and post sessions that were offered in previous
years?
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Due to the tight economy, we scaled
back the size and complexity of the conference this year. We
anticipate returning to a full-size conference in 2011 with multiple
break-out sessions and post sessions. |
