IT Security is hard. You have to keep hacking away.

Bring Your Own Laptop With RDP

Bring your own Laptop

For most of our events you will be asked to bring your own laptop: MS-Windows or Mac with a network adaptor.  You will use it to connect to one of the Kali “virtual machines” using RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) software.

Your laptop will be safe!

All your attacks will be between the Kali virtual machines you control and the target company’s servers and workstations on a separate network from your laptop.

What is a Kali VM?

Kali is a special version of Linux which is managed by a company called Offensive Security.  They take Debian Linux and add all sorts of hacker tools – including a very well known and elaborate tool called Metasploit.  Many copies of Kali are installed as VMs (Virtual Machines) on our servers.

The Kali VMs will already be configured and running when you arrive at the event.  You just need to connect with RDP.

What is RDP – Remote Desktop Protocol?

RDP is a remote-control software that allows you to connect to another computer (such as a Kali VM) and control it remotely.  You will see the other computer running in a window on your Windows or Mac laptop.

The RDP client is built into every recent version of MS-Windows (Windows 7 and up).  No installation.  No cost.  For Mac, please download “Microsoft Remote Desktop” from the App Store.  Also free.

How do I set up a network adapter?

Your laptop must join the network through a standard Ethernet RJ45 wired connector.  Wireless is not reliable and secure enough in a concentrated hacking environment.  Larger laptops all have an RJ45 connector.  But for Ultrabooks or slim Macs with no RJ45 port, a USB-to-Ethernet 10/100 connector costs under $15 on Amazon.ca.  (Thunderbolt to Ethernet is $35 at apple.com/ca.)  We might have a spare one available at the event, but don’t count on it.

Can I bring my own Kali?

Not really.  We tweaked Kali to work in our cyber range, and standard Kali won’t have the right configuration.  But if you want to install your own Kali (for performance or future learning) feel free to download our special Kali version.  Full details are here.

Open Events

Open Events are open to anyone who wants to improve their IT Security skills, meet others, and have fun!  We get great feedback from sys admins, network admins, web programmers, and IT-Sec consultants and practitioners - of all skill levels.

Corporate/Departmental

Corporate/Department Events are for groups who want to have a fun and challenging team-building event.  There's no better, faster, or more effective way to build IT Security skills, than to put the team into a competitive environment.  We can do this on- or off-site.  Great pricing if we combine your team event with others.

Student Events

Student Events started at Algonquin College in June 2012.  Since then, we've done similar events at McGill University for Electrical, Computer and Software engineering students, Carleton U "Learn to Win" program, and La Cité Collégiale.  If you are interested in having an event at your school then let us know.

Groups & Associations

Group and Association Events can be an exciting and engaging addition to your calendar.  A hands-on, fun-filled and challenging activity that your members will really look forward to.  They'll improve their IT Security skills, and earn CPE and other professional credits.