Hacker or Criminal - Repairing the Reputation of the Infosec Community

Explore a thought-provoking conference talk that addresses the misconceptions surrounding the information security community. Delve into how recent legislation and media portrayals have created an inaccurate and often criminal image of infosec professionals. Examine the inherent fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) regarding the identity and activities of those in the field, exacerbated by the complexity of security issues. Discover how the lack of accurate and honest communication has allowed outsiders to form their own, often misguided, definitions and understanding of infosec. Learn about the negative impact these perceptions have on recognizing the positive contributions of the community to society. Analyze how the infosec community has inadvertently cultivated a reputation of being disorderly and ineffective without external intervention. Gain insights into the power of media engagement as a tool for reputation management and explore strategies for shifting public perception towards a more accurate representation of the infosec community. Uncover a suggested path forward for repairing the current reputation and fostering a better understanding of the vital role hackers and security professionals play in today's digital landscape.