Session Examines How to Sniff Out Security Threats on Social Media

  • By Christina Miralla
  • Mar 21, 2012

It’s always intriguing to attend security exhibitions and learn a wealth of new information thanks to a handful of education sessions. Next week is no different. With the social media revolution on the rise, the communication outlet brings about new discussions that will be addressed at this year’s ISC West Conference. As an active participant in the land of social media, one education session immediately caught my attention since it is dedicated to social media threat investigation.

Security industry professionals are tweeting their much anticipated arrival in Las Vegas next week -- including myself -- but what threats could they be facing by exposing such information? We all think: What harm could there be in posting information online with the right privacy settings? Well, a wealth of revealing information about any subject can be found through online, social media activity with a little snooping. On Wednesday, March 28, an education session discusses threat level investigation on social media channels.

The one-hour education session is aimed at threat assessment professionals, who can learn the intentions, violence capability and mental status of a subject through their online postings and social media messages and how to use that information to determine the likelihood and severity of a potential threat.

Two speakers will lead the social media investigation discussion, University of Massachusetts, Boston Detective Paul Parlon and Director of Investigations for Cyber Investigation Services LLC Bruce Anderson. Taking reach life cases, the two will breakdown the investigation and illustrate factors and elements to investigate online and demonstrate the tools and manner of researching potential threats on the web.

While I may not work as a threat assessment professional, this information is pertinent to the security industry. By the end of the session, attendees should be able to: Recognize opportunity for data collection on potential threats through online activity; identify means of searching and gaining access to a subject's online activity; and develop the ability to monitor a subject’s state of mind and intentions through their online activity.

The session is aimed at end-users and IT professionals and starts at 10:15 a.m.

About the Author

Christina Miralla is the associate content editor at 1105 Media, Inc.

Featured

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.