Cybersecurity Events Have a Problem
Are cybersecurity events still giving people a reason to turn up, or have too many become expensive sales floors with the same conversations on repeat?
Welcome to Razorwire, the podcast where we share our take on the world of cybersecurity with direct, practical advice for professionals and business owners alike. I'm Jim and in this episode I'm joined by James Bore, Chartered Security Professional, Gary Hibberd, co-founder of Consultants Like Us and Lisa Ventura, founder of the AI and Cybersecurity Association and Unity Group Solutions.
Cybersecurity events have changed. What were once places to discover new technology, catch up with people across the industry and exchange ideas have become a packed calendar of conferences, roundtables, dinners and vendor events competing for people's time. With InfoSec Europe introducing a £50 ticket charge, it raises a bigger question about whether the traditional conference model is still delivering enough value.
We look at why experienced security professionals are increasingly choosing community and fringe events, why the same conference conversations keep coming back and what actually makes an event worth attending. From vendor pitches and expensive exhibition stands to better speakers, smaller audiences and conversations in the pub next door, we discuss where cybersecurity events have gone wrong and what could make them useful again.
Three key talking points:
- When a conference stops being worth it
- Why smaller events feel different
- People don't go to events to be sold to
If you're choosing which cybersecurity events deserve a place in your calendar, or organising one and wondering what will actually make people turn up, this conversation is for you.
On why smaller events work:
"You actually make it small and targeted and tailored. And that's how you engage."
James Bore
Listen to this episode on your favourite podcasting platform:
https://razorwire.captivate.fm/listen
In this episode, we covered the following topics:
- How Cybersecurity Events Have Changed
- Is InfoSec Europe Still Worth Attending?
- The Rise of Community Events
- Too Many Cybersecurity Events
- Escaping the Vendor Pitch
- Why Relationships Matter
- What Makes a Good Conference Speaker
- Having a Reason to Attend
- Can Big Conferences Be Fixed?
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If you need consultation, visit (https://www.razorthorn.com). We give our clients a personalised, integrated approach to information security, driven by our belief in quality and discretion.
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