All Set For DEFCON's "Beer Talk"

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 18, 2009) - Local information security group, DEFCON Philippines (www.defconph.org), will be holding its second “Beer Talk” mini-convention on April 24 at The Grilla restaurant on Paseo De Roxas Avenue in Makati City following the success of “Beer Talk I” in Cebu City last December.

The conference, dubbed “Beer Talk 2: Manila”, is a gathering of people interested in information security. It expects to attract serious and budding security professionals, security hobbyists, programmers, enthusiasts and even students who are interested in the world of information security.

Homegrown IT security experts from various industries will be talking about unconventional hacking techniques, penetration testing methodologies and Botnet technologies. The speakers are professionals in their own respective fields in the IT Security industry and will share their unique technical experiences and knowledge not covered in other sponsored security conventions.

The objective of the mini-convention is to give the public a glimpse of a few of the most recent security threats out there and how to protect against them.

Participants in “Beer Talk 2: Manila” will also be treated to an Open Hack Challenge game, nicknamed “Hackista 2009”, where contestants will be confronted with a security challenge that will test their mettle in unlocking the secrets to a “secured” Windows machine.

Other than the game, what makes this security convention unique from previous local security gatherings is that, this time around, there are no product sponsors to please, no product spiels hogging valuable airtime and no sales pitches.

DEFCON Philippines is a registered DEFCON Group International as DC6332. For registration, visit www.defconph.org and www.defconph.org/forum or email maxtor@defconph.org now. (Ederlindo Cojuangco)

Most of IT students aim to pursue career

LetIThelp President Stephanie Caragos lectures graduating IT students of Capitol University College of Computer Studies on the possible career paths open to them in the IT industry. (Photo by Mike Banos)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines - Most graduating students taking Information Technology courses are aiming to pursue careers in IT upon their graduation. At least in four schools offering IT courses, that is.

This is the gist of the findings of LetIThelp, the corporate social responsibility arm of Syntactics, Inc., one of Cagayan de Oro City’s leading Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms.

Stephanie Caragos, LetIThelp president, noted how despite underemployment by many IT graduates, most of the graduating batch in four leading IT schools in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities still aim to pursue a career in the IT industry.

“Of the 218 graduating IT students we lectured to, some 83.5% expressed their desire to seek employment in the IT industry,” Caragos said.

Most favored career paths identified by graduating IT students from Capitol University College of Computer Studies, Systems Technology Institute, Mindanao University of Science and Technology and Iligan Capitol College include web design and development, systems analysis and software programming. The lesser favored career paths indicated by the students include content provision writing, QA and SEO.

However, a significant percentage (23.6%) of those who intend to pursue a career in IT remain undecided on what particular IT profession to pursue, although most indicated they were choosing between becoming a web developer, systems analyst, quality analyst (QA), graphic designer and search engine optimizer (SEO).

Christine Redondo-Sevilla, administrator of the CU College of Computer Studies, said a significant percentage of their IT graduates remain underemployed, or are now working in fields not related to IT, like marketing, sales and advertising.

To help address this problem as well as the declining enrollment in IT courses despite increased demand for IT students by domestic BPOs like Syntactics, LetIThelp is conducting free lectures to colleges and universities in Northern Mindanao aimed at further educating graduating IT students to prepare them on the tough life outside the classroom.

Caragos said the program’s main goal is “to help deserving IT graduates who have the passion and dedication to earn and learn at the same time.”

The lectures brief graduating IT students on the possible IT professions they can get into after graduation. The lecture content includes the necessary skills, requirements and qualities of an IT professional that the students must be equipped with to be able to have an edge on the stiff competition from other IT graduates.

LetITHelp was born to answer the need for an organization that could help bridge the gap between IT companies needing skilled team members and fresh graduates needing additional skills to qualify for the IT companies’ requirements.

“Underemployment is one of the challenges for the IT graduates recognized by LetIThelp,” Ms. Caragos said. “These graduates are forced to take jobs that are not in line with their education just so they can start working and help their families.

Through LetITHelp, fresh IT graduates who show passion and dedication in their chosen field of profession will be trained and be equipped with necessary skills giving them the opportunity to land the job that they desire and to earn and learn at the same time.

After the training, these IT graduates will either be absorbed by Syntactics Inc. (the commercial company of LetITHelp) or be recommended to other IT companies in the IT industry.”

LetIThelp.org strives to be a sustainable social enterprise by providing IT services such as web development, Search Engine Optimization and Blog Customization using Wordpress.

Through the revenues generated by the enterprise, more trainees will gain the opportunity to participate in the training program.

LetIThelp is supported by the Youth Social Enterprise Initiative (YSEI) and that of Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP). LetITHelp hopes that this fruitful beginning will eventually lead into fulfilling the organization’s ultimate mission: to help and to give back to society the tangible and intangibles which helped Syntactics grow into what it is today. (Mike Banos)

Launching of Defcon Philippines, an IT Security organization

CEBU CITY, Philippines - The soft launching of Defcon Philippines (DefconPH) on December 20 will bring together IT Security Professionals and Hackers to discuss their solutions, exploits and experiences in this complicated and critical field of IT Security arena.

Attending this launching puts you one step ahead in preserving your company's reputation, keeping your company solvent, and showing your value to your employer. DefconPH is a registered Defcon Group International as DC6332.

This half-day power packed event will cover the latest topics in IT security, hacking and protection. Learn how to avoid embarrassing and expensive data breaches, protect valuable information, and many more.

Launching of this organization will commence in Handuraw, 460 Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more details visit the official website at www.defconph.org or email maxtor@defconph.org now. (Ederlindo Cojuangco II)

Mindanao Open Source Society To Hold FOSS IT Class In Basilan Island

The Mindanao Open Source Society in cooperation with the COMTECH Institute Inc. and the D'Comtechian will host the FOSS@CLASS in connection to the Software Freedom Day 2008 celebration on September 20.

This will be an occasion that will promote GNU/Linux and Free Open Source Software and orient Basileños the power of FOSS also the 1st time I.T. event happening in Isabela City in Basilan province.

The affair is expected to strengthen the unity of all universities, colleges, institutions and schools in Basilan that offer Information Technology courses. Details about the FOSS@CLASS can also be found on this URL: http://www.moss.orgz.ph. (R.J. Sevilla)

Mindanao IT Enthusiasts Called To Propel Global Advancement

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines - The Ateneo Information Management Society (XU-AIMS) and the Xavier Computer Enthusiasts' League (XCEL) will be holding the first Mindanao-Wide Quantum and Information Technology Convention (QITC) to gather active individuals from different schools in Mindanao not only to test their competence but also to guide them with additional knowledge and to develop their skills in Information Technology.

The event will commence from the 25th of January and will conclude on the 27th of January of this year, 2008 at the Country Village Hotel, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. The theme of the said event is "Networking Mindanao IT Enthusiasts to Propel the Sphere of Global Advancement."

There will be topics on Open Source, Java Management, Trends in Web Technologies, Google Applications, and Careers in Software Development that will be presented by well-acclaimed speakers, Ms. Yolynne Medina of International Open Source Network ASEAN+3 Sub-Regional Node, Aileen Apolo of Google Inc., Calen Martin D. Legaspi, SCEA and Jan Michael Ibañez of Orange and Bronze Software Labs, and Matt Arnilo Baluyos of Syntactics Inc.

XU-AIMS and XCEL are two recognized organizations of Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan establishing the profound significance of information technology to its members and the community. More details are provided in the QITC website: http://qitc.xu.edu.ph.

CONTACT:Jim Paul Padayhag
Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayanqitc2008@gmail.comhttp://qitc.xu.edu.ph