Making the most out of Black Hat ‘23
by Peggy Tierney Galvin, Force4 Technology Communications
In recent years, the cost of attending RSAC has skyrocketed, with hotel room prices alone reaching northwards of $800. These escalating costs have made it challenging for organizations to justify sending their teams to RSAC, resulting in reduced attendance and participation.
Black Hat, taking place next week in Las Vegas, has gained popularity in recent years as a more mainstream cybersecurity show than its more freewheeling past might indicate. Its focus on issues important to security practitioners themselves, without the prohibitive costs associated with attending RSAC, have combined to make it an attractive choice for B2B tech companies seeking cost-effective ways to engage in cybersecurity industry events.
As we heard from many RSAC attendees, Black Hat is becoming known as the new RSAC because it offers a more specialized option for cybersecurity and marketing professionals looking to differentiate their solution for the practitioner audience – and purchase influencer job role – in attendance at the show.
What’s new, what’s not
Black Hat has historically been the security practitioner’s event, and this year is no different. What is different is the scale of the enterprise vendor presence at the show this year. That means attendees need to keep the focus on the technical practitioner as a purchase influencer job role, instead of copying and pasting their RSAC gamebook onto the event. That means fewer investor and C-level meetings, and more focus on differentiating the offering to the security teams who will be using it on a daily basis.
What hasn’t changed is the networking – coffee, drinks or dinner, or attending the many sponsored afterparties that Black Hat is legendary for.
Deriving Value Remotely
Those who aren’t attending in person can benefit from Black Hat by exploring virtual briefings with press and analysts, allowing them to stay informed about the latest developments and industry insights. Keeping a close eye on competitor announcements and activities will provide valuable market intelligence and potential opportunities.
Holding virtual briefings with media representatives and industry analysts can help remote attendees establish connections and showcase their expertise. These briefings enable professionals to stay engaged with the industry’s current trends and developments.
Remote attendees can stay competitive by closely monitoring their competitors’ activities, such as product launches, partnerships and threat research announcements. Conducting a coverage audit ensures that their communication strategy aligns with market trends and helps identify areas for improvement.
Black Hat: An Accessible Option
Black Hat has emerged as a favored option for cybersecurity professionals seeking an accessible complementary show to RSAC. Its focus on security practitioners and the lower costs of attendance make it an attractive choice for companies seeking cost-effective ways to engage in industry events. For remote attendees, the event still holds immense value through virtual briefings with media and analysts, providing the latest insights and market intelligence. By closely monitoring competitor activities, remote participants can stay competitive and stay abreast of industry trends. Overall, Black Hat’s increasing accessibility and focus on industry insights make it a compelling and vital event for cybersecurity professionals.
We hope to see you there!
