CCCCKC, Pumping Station: One and HacDC announced at the DEFCON Podcaster’s Meetup of the creation of the Warzone Project. As you may know, the CCCKC network has a separate area dedicated to security research…both attack and defense. This separate section of the network was created so that members had a sandbox to attack and defend without worrying about compromising their own or someone else’s systems and information. The premise is that of assumed risk, neighborliness and numerous disclaimers to users looking to participate that they should know exactly what they are doing (or at least getting themselves into) by connecting to the network.

We were ecstatic when we were contacted by the Astaro corporation who loved the idea so much, they not only wanted their hardware on the network but that they wanted to help expand the Project nationwide by donating appliances to each of us. Each hacker space has their hardware and over the next few weeks we will be hashing out the details and putting together the darknet.

Below you will find the press release which was issued by Astaro at DEFCON.

For more information, you should follow the Warzone Project on Twitter.

- jur1st

Astaro Corporation (http://www.astaro.com), a leading network security vendor, today announced that Astaro has donated three Astaro Security Gateway appliances to the Warzone Project, a joint research venture between hacker spaces in the United States. The Warzone Project creates a secure network between hacker spaces around the country for information security research.

Hacker spaces are community-operated physical spaces where people meet and collaborate on all forms of technology, culture and crafts in new and interesting ways. Members are encouraged to share research and discoveries and use what they learn to help educate others.

Astaro donated three Astaro Secuirty Gateway appliances to this initaitve as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to educating the technology community about network security. The Astaro Security Gateways will be used to interconnect and build the Warzone infrastructure. Additionaly, the Astaro Security Gateways will provide insight into where traffic comes from and will help the Warzone hackers identify potential vulnerabilities and develop attack defenses.

“When we began organizing the Warzone Project we knew we needed a trusted security product for the program be successful,” said Bill Swearingen (hevnsnt) of the Cowtown Computer Congress. “We approached Astaro to sponsor our events by donating the appliances because the Astaro Security Gateway offers reliable Intrusion Protection System that was ideal for testing the effectiveness of real-world attacks, and for helping us to develop security standards.”

There is a common misconception that people who identify as hackers are criminals or engaged in other unethical activities.

“Hacker spaces and the Warzone project are helping to combat the negative image hackers have acquired by demonstrating that most hackers are not engaged in criminal activity and are more interested in finding and sharing information; including possible network vulnerabilities,” said David Rogers, Vice President, Americas, Astaro Corporation. “Astaro is proud to be a part of initiatives like the Hackerspace Warzone project because they will help network administrators and security vendors create more secure environments.”

The Warzone project will entail a secure “darknet” connecting hacker spaces from around the country, creating a sandbox environment for both offensive and defensive research. The first hacker spaces to participate are the Cowtown Computer Congress in Kansas City and Pumping Station: One in Chicago.

The Cowtown Computer Congress (CCCKC) is a not for profit technology cooperative founded to advance technology of all kinds. They are a member supported organization providing technology classes, workshops and services to the public free of charge. CCCKC brings together some of the finest minds in midwest to collaborate on research and projects for other local groups. Through their affiliate program, CCCKC gives assistance to specialized technology user groups by providing them with a facility to hold meetings and work on projects of their own.
CCCKC’s Underground Lab is located 85 feet below the surface of the earth at 31st Street and Southwest Trafficway in Kansas City, Missouri.
http://cowtowncomputercongress.org
press@cowtowncomputercongress.org

Pumping Station: One, NFP, is a space to facilitate creativity in and through the merging of art, technology, and culture. Members enjoy a diverse community of peers to collaborate with, classes and workshops on subjects from electronics and programming to welding and home beer brewing, and 24-hour access to a huge variety of tools, equipment, and resources for just about any project imaginable. Pumping Station: One is located at 3354 N. Elston Ave in Chicago, Illinois. To learn more, visit www.pumpingstationone.org, or contact press@pumpingstationone.org. This is an Illinois Not-For-Profit organization.
http://pumpingstationone.org