Going Dark, Hacking Back, Botnet Takedowns, and More: The Strauss Center's Feb. 4-6 Cybersecurity Conference

I'm very excited to announce that the Strauss Center at UT-Austin is launching a new education-and-research program we are calling "Integrated Cybersecurity Studies," and that we are marking the occasion with a rather-special event here in Austin on February 5th and 6th. I hope some readers can join us!

First, let me explain the event. Basically, we are combining a law school symposium (which this year will focus on: going dark; hackback; botnet takedowns; and the legal environment for security researchers) and the annual law prof training workshop sponsored by the ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security (which this year will focus on guidance for teaching cyber-related issues in the context of various law school courses). The full agenda appears below; if you think you might want to attend, or just want to know more about our plans for Integrated Cybersecurity Studies, please reach out to me at rchesney@law.utexas.edu!

Second, let me explain the larger idea behind Integrated Cybersecurity Studies. It boils down to two things: First, pioneering new courses and course-sequences for students interested in blending the perspectives of computer science, law, engineering, public policy, business administration, and more. Second, spurring research and convening events on cybersecurity topics of national (and global) public-policy significance (especially with respect to national security-related activities). Again, reach out to me if you are interested in hearing more, or have suggestions or criticisms. And please note, if you find this vision appealing and think Austin is the place to be: We are likely to hire at least one fellow to join us in this effort, so stay tuned.

Now, the full agenda for the event (note that there is a registration requirement):

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Location: Sheffield-Massey Room (Townes Hall 2.111), UT School of Law

8:00am - 8:30am Welcome and breakfast

8:30am - 9:45am SESSION 1: The "Going Dark" Encryption Debate

Paul Ohm (Georgetown)
Benjamin Wittes (Brookings)
Riana Pfefferkorn (Stanford)
Christopher Soghoian (ACLU)
Moderator: Richard Downing (DOJ)

10:00am - 11:15am SESSION 2: Regulating Security Research: Wassenaar, DMCA, and More

Jennifer Granick (Stanford)
Elaine Korzak (Stanford)
Katie Moussouris (HackerOne)
Allan Friedman (National Telecommunications & Information Admin.)

Location: KUT Studio 1A, UT School of Communications

11:30am - 1:30pm SPECIAL SESSION:

"Big Data, Privacy, and Security: Comparing US and German Perspectives"

Recording of transatlantic dialogue with counterparts in Berlin for an episode of the America Abroad Media radio documentary series.

Location: Sheffield-Massey Room (Townes Hall 2.111), UT School of Law

1:30pm - 2:15pm LUNCH

2:15pm - 3:30pm SESSION 3: Hacking Back and Other Active Defense Measures: Technical, Legal, and Policy Issues

Richard Downing (Department of Justice)
Richard Puckett (GE)
Christian Beckner (George Washington)
Andrew Woods (Kentucky)

3:45pm - 5:00pm SESSION 4: Botnet Takedowns: The Technical, Legal, and Policy Issues

Sean Farrell (FBI)
Kristen Eichensehr (UCLA)
Richard Boscovich (Microsoft)
Greg Nojeim (CDT)

[Note: I mistakenly ommitted our dinner keynote speaker when I first posted the agenda. That Friday night we will have a private dinner for the participants featuring a keynote from Kevin Bankston(Director, New America Foundation's Open Technology Institute)]

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2016

This teacher-training workshop is co-sponsored by the American Bar Association Standing Commitee on Law and National Security.

Location: Sheffield-Massey Room (Townes Hall 2.111), UT School of Law

9:00am - 9:30am Welcome and breakfast: Introduction by Judge James Baker

9:30am - 10:30am SESSION 1: Cyber in the Intelligence/Surveillance Context

Bill Banks (Syracuse)
Jen Daskal (American)

10:45am - 11:45am SESSION 2: Cyber in the Criminal Law Context

Paul Ohm (Georgetown)
Jennifer Granick (Stanford)
Richard Downing (Justice Department)
Sean Farrell (FBI)

11:45am - 12:45pm SESSION 3: Cyber in the Business and Regulatory Contexts

Derek Bambauer (Arizona State)
Andrew Woods (Kentucky)
Kristen Eichensehr (UCLA)
Moderator: Harvey Rishikof (ABA SCOLANS)

12:45pm - 1:45pm KEYNOTE LUNCHEON featuring Daniel Placek, co-founder of Darkode

1:45pm - 2:45pm SESSION 4: Cyber and International Law

Ashley Deeks (UVA)
Eric Jensen (BYU)

3:00pm - 4:00pm SESSION 5: Cyber and the Laws of War

Derek Jinks (Texas)
Sean Watts (Creighton)