Cyber conferences: They are everywhere but is there a problem they solve? An unpopular opinion
So, I’ll start this diatribe, with a confession: I am at a conference right now writing this post, and I just got charged $270 for 2 crappy plastic chairs because I forgot the two folding chairs in my garage, so I am a bit salty on that point.
But to my main question. There are cyber-focused conferences seemingly every week somewhere across the world and there are lots of posts on LinkedIn showing people at these conferences (I did it myself), but ARE WE SOLVING ANY CYBER PROBLEMS THROUGH THESE CONFERENCES?
I know the conference organizers are CLEARLY making a killing (did I mention the $270 rent-a-chairs?) but is cybercrime, cyberespionage, and general cyber badness going to be reduced because of them? I am guessing/alleging NO!
I understand why vendors do it. So they can advertise and get business. Speakers do it because they get paid stupid amounts to say the same thing week after week (yet somehow every time I speak at a conference I just get a conference pen, clearly I need professional representation - but I digress!)
Do I have a solution to this? Well, join me at the LET’S FIX CYBER CONFERENCES CONFERENCE in Birmingham in November! Clearly, that is a joke, but alas I am at a loss. Now, don’t get me wrong, I will enjoy talking to people at this conference. I will get lots of content for my CyBUr Guy Podcast (available at all your favorite podcast outlets) and I will kill a Wednesday and Thursday. But sadly, I am not sure any cyber problems will be solved and likely no SMBs or Individuals will be saved from an eventual cybercrime-related nightmare. And I’d rather be working towards that.
Dissenting opinions or thoughts are welcome.
I'll join you. How about the 30-50 minute+ talks that are back-to-back, you don't get to digest much information. If it is new information, it could be quickly lost. This goes on for 4 hours, then lunch where you meet and greet and have little time to understand what you learned (unless you talk with someone to knowledge share and reflect on that information - though, does that happen for all the talks you saw).
After lunch, more of the same, or you are trying to listen and there are conversations behind you which can be distracting, especially when people try to whisper.
Then in the evening you go to social events, out on the beach, sight-seeing, then try to reflect on the day and then go to bed and then repeat.