An important part of cybersecurity is plugging into the surrounding community. Connectivity is a major component of spreading new innovations. Many security professionals enjoy attending conferences for this very reason. But when attending cybersecurity conferences, it is important to get the most out of your interactions.
Therefore, here are some tips to make sure you get the most out of your trips:
Dress to impress
As with any sort of conference, it is important to dress in a way that reflects your company. No matter your budget, your build, or your status, there is always a style that can boost your image.
Don’t just stand there, talk!
You’re not going to get anything out of this conference by standing over by the snack bowl. These events are special and it is important that you extract as much as possible. Talk to people. Introduce yourself. Exchange ideas. Exchange cards. Try to simultaneously absorb as much information as possible and make yourself stand out.
Conferences are for connecting.
You’ve got someone’s LinkedIn, their twitter, ect. Make sure you add them as soon as possible, before they forget the interaction they had with you. An immediate follow up shows investment in the relationship, as well as initiative.
Attend presentations and ask questions.
If there are formalized presentations, make sure you attend some of them. Networking is great, but these presentations are a rare opportunity to hear relevant information. Additionally, take notes and ask questions to increase your engagement.
Try Something New.
Try to attend talks on subjects or concepts you may be unfamiliar with. While it seems intimidating to sit in on a block-chain meeting without knowing what block-chain is, these conferences hire great speakers who will be able to help you learn new concepts with ease.
Meet the presenters.
If you get a chance, say hello to the presenters. Introduce yourself, shake hands, add them on LinkedIn, and connect with them later. Try not to take up too much of their time, a lot of people are going to want to talk to them. They also will be pretty worn out after giving talks all day. Having high up connections is always beneficial.
Attending conferences is one of the best ways to learn about current security issues, technologies, solutions, and gaps. Security conferences provide a wealth of information and networking opportunities. Be prepared, and follow these tips to help ensure you get the most out your security conference experiences!
Tags: business, Companies, Conference, Cyber, Cybersecurity, Education, Infrastructure, Intelligence, IT, Network, Security, tech, Technology
