Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content and threat management solutions, has extended the deadline of submission of papers for the 2012 Kaspersky Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa Conference for Young Professionals to January 9, 2012.

The extension allows more time for all interested undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students from colleges and universities across the Philippines to send their best original research papers on internet security and cybercrime. Registration is ongoing and participants may join as individual or as a group.

Cash prizes are: third place, USD$750, second place USD$1,000, and first place USD$1,500.

The most interesting and innovative submissions will be chosen by the conference committee of Kaspersky Lab experts and IT security professors. Announcement of results will be on February 6, 2012.  Authors of selected papers will be invited to present his/her work at the conference to be held on March 21-23, 2012 at the City University of HongKong.

All travel and accommodation expenses for the chosen participants will be paid for by Kaspersky Lab.

Winners in the conference will receive generous cash prizes and an invitation to attend the international final stage of the conference in Europe in May 2012.

The conference with the theme, “IT Security for the Next Generation,” aims to bring together students, young professionals, experts, scientists, researchers and professors from all over the world in a collaborative environment to present and discuss issues relating to cybercrime.

It offers unique opportunities for young researchers to improve their knowledge on IT security, gain new experience and communicate with industry experts. Participants can realize their scientific potential as well as open doors to exciting career opportunities in the IT security world.

The conference is held in a very friendly, creative and secure atmosphere that promises lots of fun and an unforgettable experience.

Students can develop their research papers covering any of various categories such as technical, social, economic and legal topics.

Technical topics include:

1. Trends in Anti-Spam Development

2. Dangers of an increasingly Networked World

3. “In the Cloud” Security

4. Future Technologies for Detecting and Combating Malware

Social, economic and legal topics such as:

1. Emerging Threats

2. Challenges and Opportunities for IT-Security Companies in the next 10 years

3. Impact of Technologies on Data Protection, Copy and Intellectual Property Rights and Jurisdiction

4. Education in IT Security

The research papers must have a maximum of 5,500 words and must present an introduction, a section on background literature, a clear conclusion, as well as proper references. It must be submitted in bond paper using Times New Roman with font size 12.

All submissions must also have 130 to 200-word abstracts to describe the body of the work.

Submissions will be evaluated based on their scientific and methodological level of work, the social importance of the topic presented, completeness, objectivity with collected information, as well as practical and innovation value.

The research papers will be judged by members of Kaspersky Labs, as well as several academicians and information technology experts.

Kaspersky Lab CEO and Co-Founder Eugene Kaspersky says as part of its social responsibility and for the advancement of excellence in the IT security field, he believes it is important to engage with and support the next generation of outstanding professionals.

“This conference provides them a chance to share their innovative ideas, show their skills, and also learn from and network with leading IT security experts. So I’m inviting all students to join in this competition. I am sure all who will participate will find it inspiring and rewarding,” says Eugene Kaspersky, Kaspersky Lab CEO and Co-Founder.

For more information about the conference, email studconf@kaspersky.com or log on to the official website: www.kaspersky.com/educational-events/it_security_conference_2012_asia