Institute begins call for experts

The establishment is looking for security experts, researchers and consultants to aid the discussion and compilation of the SANS Top 20 list of security vulnerabilities.

"This is a unique initiative in many respects," said Ross Patel, editor of the list. "In addition to our usual list of vulnerabilities this year we will also focus on the ten most severe vulnerabilities in the Cisco platforms. We're very excited about it."

Traditionally the SANS Top 20 is a list of ten Windows and ten UNIX/Linux vulnerabilities. 2004's list suggested that Windows instant messaging, authentication and the UNIX web server were amongst the most dangerous security vulnerabilities.

Last year contributors included the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Homeland Security and the British Computer Society. Alan Paller, director of the SANS institute, used the event to blast vendors for not doing enough to plug and prevent security holes in their software.

Parties interested in joining the debate can contact SANS through their website below.

www.sans.org/projects