Microsoft UK's new Chief Security Advisor, Ed Gibson is on the road in a series of free events organised by the Scottish Developers and NextGenUG. The events are trying to raise awareness of the issues surround computer security for both business and developer communities.

Ed's new role comes on the heels of his retirement from a 20-year career as a Supervisory Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). During this period, Gibson was a recognized expert in investigating complex, international money laundering schemes, asset identification and confiscation, and intellectual property theft. While assigned to FBI Headquarters, Washington, DC, Ed Gibson developed and managed an operational training program for all Special Agents and executive management, in money laundering and asset confiscation investigations.

From early 2000 - mid 2005, Ed Gibson was assigned to the FBI's Legal Attache office, US Embassy London, as an Assistant Legal Attaché. There, he was responsible for all FBI cyber, hi-tech, cyber-terrorism, and infrastructure investigations in the UK. His leadership resulted in the creation of a model cyber program adopted by all Legal Attache offices around the world.

The first event is in Birmingham on the 20th September, at Faraday Wharf on the Aston Science Park from 4pm to 7pm and, being such an attention whore, I am taking part. Not, I hasten to add, as a speaker, Ed is speaking as a white hat and Dinis Cruz is also appearing in evil hacker mode. Dinis is always worth seeing, his hacking sessions at DDD are stunning. You can even watch the last one, Attacking Web and Windows Apps). My modest contribution this time is to represent the "ordinary developer" during the question and answer session. Dave McMahon and Richard Costall from the user group will be acting as chairs for the discussion.

(Best of all for me, I don't need to do any work, just turn up and look pretty!)