Cybersecurity pioneers gather in Carolina Beach
CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Some of the people who helped build the modern internet and shape today’s cybersecurity industry gathered in Carolina Beach this week for the inaugural NaClCON conference.
The three-day event, held at the Courtyard Marriott Carolina Beach Oceanfront, brings together legendary hackers, cybersecurity pioneers, and industry leaders to discuss the history of hacking, technical innovation, and the future of digital security.
Among the items on display is the Osborne, the first portable computer released in 1981, highlighting the conference’s focus on the evolution of technology and the people who helped create the digital world that exists today.
The event was created by husband-and-wife team Luke McOmie and Melanie Johnson and features keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and vendors showcasing the latest advances in technology.
Luke McOmie said one goal of the conference is to challenge misconceptions about the hacking community.
“When we say ‘hacking,’ a lot of people think, you know, the scary bad guys that are trying to steal money from you or break into your bank account, or those horrible people that targeted the city here and those kinds of things, this is the exact opposite,” said McOmie.
McOmie said the conference highlights the contributions of cybersecurity professionals who work to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen digital security.
“These are the people who have helped build and create the industry as it is now; these are the people that do this to help people understand where they’re weak or where they’re insecure, and our activity, especially in our professional lives, day-to-day, are really to try to make this world a better, safer place,” said McOmie.
The conference comes as communities across the Cape Fear region continue to face cyber threats. Organizers pointed to recent cyberattacks affecting local governments, including the Town of Carolina Beach, which lost nearly $500,000 in two cyberattacks.
Johnson said bringing cybersecurity professionals together helps strengthen the networks and relationships needed to protect critical systems and infrastructure.
“These guys, they are the cavalry. They are the people out there protecting us from foreign adversaries, they are the ones that are making our internal structures stronger, and to network these people and to make sure that they can share ideas and improvements to these technologies, that’s what it’s all about,” said Johnson.
Organizers said the conference is designed not only to share knowledge, but also to build lasting relationships among the people working to keep the digital world safe.
NaClCON concludes Tuesday at the Courtyard Marriott Carolina Beach Oceanfront. Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m., with the day’s first speaker scheduled to take the stage at 9 a.m.
