OWASP Board Elections: Michael Coates
I'd like to announce that I'll be running for one of the three seats available in the 2011 OWASP board election.
My candidacy is now listed on the OWASP elections page and includes a link to my bio and vision for OWASP. I've been involved with OWASP for years as a project owner, global committee member, corporate supporter representative and speaker at many OWASP conferences. I strongly believe in the mission and the OWASP organization.
Vision For OWASP
Technology is changing at a rapid pace and security plays a vital role in the technology ecosystem. Security should not be seen as a blockade to innovation; instead, security can be leveraged to allow our technology to do more than we ever realized. OWASP is well poised to provide the advanced security knowledge, tools and training to empower companies to integrate security as a product differentiator and impetus for technology advancement.
My vision for OWASP includes a board that creates opportunities and acts as a catalyst for OWASP projects and the advancement of the OWASP mission. OWASP is powerful because of the massive expertise that we contain from all of our contributors around the world. I believe that the OWASP board should provide the necessary resources, technologies, funding and support for OWASP contributors to be successful in growing security technology, addressing security challenges and sharing these skills with the world.
In addition, I feel the OWASP board should work to help OWASP identify key challenges that should be focused upon in a planned period of time. The combination of addressing an identified security challenge and continued support for individual project growth will allow OWASP to both leverages our collective expertise and also support organic individual project growth. I believe this two-pronged approach will allow OWASP to continue to grow and create world-class security resources.
The following areas are key positions that I hold and represent the direction I wish to pursue on the OWASP board:
* Breaking out of the Echo Chamber: OWASP should focus on working with people that have never heard of OWASP before. I plan to build the necessary presentations, tools and funding to get OWASP members at college campuses and developer conferences to teach OWASP materials.
* Funding: OWASP is a non-profit and is powered by our mission and our volunteers. However, we can do more if we have the necessary resources to dream big. I plan to pursue grants and funding that enable OWASP to do more to spread our knowledge and advance our mission.
* Integration with Enterprises: As a security professional employed at a major technology company I wish to further expand OWASP's involvement with corporate entities to address the core risks and challenges they are facing.
* Community and Open: I strongly believe in the O in OWASP. Like the web, security should be open and available to all. The power of OWASP lies in the individuals that donate their time and skills. I plan to grow our community and identify ways we can further strengthen the worldwide community.
-Michael Coates - @_mwc