It's boom times for hackers as cyber sleuths gather

SAN FRANCISCO—Don't be surprised to get news of more cyber breaches and hacks this week.

More than 28,000 computer security professionals are converging on San Francisco for the annual RSA Conference, the world's largest security conference. With all that attention, firms that make a living off exposing or fixing security flaws like to publicize their discoveries.

Last year at the Black Hat security conference, news broke that a Russian crime ring had amassed a cache of 1.2 billion username and password combinations.

Already, Check Point released information showing that eBay's web e-commerce platform contained what the company called a critical vulnerability that could affect as many as 200,000 online shops. The vulnerability affected eBays Magneto platform, security company Check Point said Monday.

eBay immediately provided a patch to its customers, eBay said in a statement.

A trending topic at the conference, which begins Tuesday, is likely to be the security of The Internet of Things. That is, the physical objects in our lives are becoming networked so we can more easily control them at a distance. Unfortunately, anything connected to a network is potentially vulnerable to takeover.

While early stories on this talked about Americans worrying that their refrigerators could be hacked, the actual dangers are much more concrete. Multiple speakers will discuss the potential for hackers to access everything from insulin pumps to the nation's electric grid.

HIGH DEMAND

This week should also bring word of movement within the white-hot world of security companies. After the major breaches and hacks of the past year--Premera Blue Cross, Anthem, Sony, Home Depot and JP Morgan --corporations are waking up to the business possibilities.

One of the first out of the gate was Raytheon, which announced Monday it has bought Austin-based Websense.

The defense contractor plans to combine Websense with its intelligence, information and services unit to create a new company that will create what it calls "defense-grade cybersecurity."

The market for advanced cyber solutions "is rapidly growing due to the sophisticated threats posed by well-funded, nation-state adversaries and criminal networks," Raytheon CEO Thomas Kennedy said in a statement.

While there are dozens of computer security conferences held annually in the United States, RSA is the largest. Another that garners a lot of news is Black Hat, held in Las Vegas in August. DefCon, held in Las Vegas as RSA is winding down, gives a more hacker-ish view of security.

This year RSA's San Francisco conference will be notable for something it won't have--booth babes.

New language in its exhibitor contract effectively bans these sometimes scantily clad women hired to grace booths in the trade show portion of the conference. Their purpose is to entice people in to learn more about whatever product is being offered.

The new policy bans tops displaying excessive cleavage, tank tops, miniskirts, Lycra bodysuits and "objectionable or offensive costumes," according to the contract.

The language was added to ensure the conference is both professional and respectful of all attendees, said Sandra Toms, vice president and curator of the conference.

"We want everyone to feel like they can comfortably enjoy all of the sessions and activities that this year's show has to offer," she said.