Origin Comms run the press office at Infosecurity Europe 2019…..
As a specialist in cybersecurity and tech PR for 20 years, we have attended Infosecurity Europe for as many as half of those, representing clients, hosting briefings and meeting with numerous key media attendees.
This year was a whole different ball game, as we announced in October that Origin Comms had been selected by Infosecurity Group, to deliver the PR and digital marketing strategy to raise awareness of Infosecurity Europe 2019, increase attendance overall, and showcase the outstanding high-level conference programme planned for the event. Having spent the past 9 months doing just that, it was great to see all our hard work come to fruition last week.
As a team, we have handled many aspects of the show, from managing briefings with keynote speakers, to arranging video vox pops with exhibitors, and handling blog and press release submissions on their behalf. In doing so, we have been given the opportunity to delve into new and evolving areas of cybersecurity, not just those we currently handle for our existing clients. We have gained deeper insight into the evolving trends and future of information security, such as DevSecOps and AI, and the pitfalls of the cybersecurity industry, with an overwhelming want for collaboration and information sharing.
Trends
This year’s theme of the show was Cybersecurity 4.0: Complexity, Risk and Resilience, and the ‘State of the Industry’ was discussed in detail by Dan Raywood, Contributing Editor at Infosecurity Magazine, in his Talking Tactics Presentation on the State of Cybersecurity report discussing what security leaders believe are the key trends and focus areas driving the cybersecurity industry, now and in the future. According to the report, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning is a key trend.
Education
While a lot of focus in cybersecurity is often on tools and technology, education is crucial to effective cybersecurity. This was echoed throughout the event, with Ciaran Martin, CEO, NCSC noting in his keynote that ‘the biggest threat to cyber security is weak cyber security’ and “While cyber risk is just another business risk to manage, that can’t be done without understanding it”.
Education is also about improving diversity in IT, addressing the skills gap and encouraging careers in the industry, which were further key themes of the show, at both the new Futuresec series and the Women in Cybersecurity event.
Women in cybersecurity
In a social media poll, which received 14,706 responses, conducted by ourselves on behalf of Infosecurity, sixty one per cent of respondents acknowledged that women have less opportunity than men when vying for senior roles in cyber and information security, which is disappointing, and shows the clear lack of diversity that still exists in the industry.
This was a huge talking point of the show at the Women in Cybersecurity networking event which celebrated the progress and achievements of women and challenges that they face in the industry.
Professor Sue Black gave a frank and inspirational presentation, and in an interview following her talk, she further commented to say ‘Resilience is key to being successful’ , a topic high on the agenda of themes for the show.
With the show boasting over 100 pioneering newcomers in the information security industry, it was clear to see that cybersecurity is thriving and the demand/need for growth and information is at an all-time high.
Videoing exhibitors and speakers, hosting their interviews, and listening in on game changing keynotes and talks such as the above, has enabled us to take ideas forward to other clients with new topics for potential discussion, and feature ideas to share with key media.
Having the right tools and technologies in place is important, but in order to progress, businesses, organisations, and professionals, all need to share experiences and collaborate with others. This is exactly what this show is about, and why we work with our clients to continually expand and share their knowledge of the industry. The event provides an opportunity to put heads together, whether it’s exhibitors on the show floor or meetings with press, we all have something to impart.
