Thoughts on CMP Acquisition of Black Hat
I just learned that CMP Media, publishers of IT magazines like Network Computing and IT Architect (formerly Network Magazine) just acquired Jeff Moss' Black Hat, Inc. for $10 million. I'm amazed that Black Hat went for that much. The organization may offer consulting, but it's mainly known for its conferences. Those conferences rely on instructors, none of whom are obligated to speak (as far as I know). Without any intellectual property, substantial workforce, or product lines, I'd say Black Hat did pretty well for itself!
I did not realize until now that CMP also owns the Computer Security Insitutute, who runs their own security conferences. The CSI conference is a strange beast. I wouldn't consider William Safire to be a "security expert," but there he is appearing as a keynote CSI speaker. Perhaps Black Hat is supposed to pull in another sort of demographic, one without as much gray hair?
I did not realize until now that CMP also owns the Computer Security Insitutute, who runs their own security conferences. The CSI conference is a strange beast. I wouldn't consider William Safire to be a "security expert," but there he is appearing as a keynote CSI speaker. Perhaps Black Hat is supposed to pull in another sort of demographic, one without as much gray hair?
Comments
I'm not sure that they will, but here is to hope.
In your point that "[w]ithout any intellectual property, substantial workforce, or product lines, I'd say Black Hat did pretty well for itself..." I wonder if CMP will attempt to exercise / coerce any intellectual property rights over content presented at Black Hat Briefings or the materials the various personnel use in their training. Black Hat has benefitted from a decentralized, laissez-faire nature. If it becomes more proprietary, it would change the nature of the event.