Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape: Key Insights from RSA Conference 2023 - Day 3

Welcome to our recap of Day 3 at the RSA Conference 2023! Today's sessions covered a wide range of topics, from cyber diplomacy and military defense to the power of storytelling and the importance of collaboration in addressing the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. In this post, we'll summarize the key insights and takeaways from each session, providing you with valuable knowledge to stay ahead in the rapidly changing world of cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity and Military Defense in an Increasingly Digital World

In this session, the panelists discussed how cyberwarfare has changed overall warfare planning, stressing the importance of collaboration among companies of various sizes to counter adversaries in this new chapter of cyberwarfare. Their insights on the impact of innovative technology on the battlefield and the need for assured security were enlightening.

The speakers for this session were:

Vivian Schiller - Executive Director, Aspen Digital, Aspen Institute

John Chambers - Founder & CEO, JC2 Ventures

General (Retired) Richard "Rich" Clarke - Retired Military General,

Real World Stories of Incident Response and Threat Intelligence

This engaging session featured the experiences of incident responders and threat intelligence analysts from the past year. The panelists shared their unique perspectives on incident response and offered valuable advice for handling threats in real-time.

The speakers for this session were:

Lesley Carhart - Principal Industrial Incident Responder, Dragos, Inc.

Lily Hay Newman - Senior Writer, WIRED Magazine

Katie Nickels - Certified Instructor, SANS Institute, Director of Intelligence, Red Canary

Wendi Whitmore - Senior Vice President, Palo Alto Networks

The Perfect Story

Karen Eber's talk on the power of storytelling was both inspiring and informative. She demonstrated how successful cybersecurity professionals, global leaders, and visionaries can create empathy and inspire action through effective storytelling.

The speaker for this session was:

Karen Eber - Chief Executive Officer, Eber Leadership Group

No More Time: Closing the Gap with Attackers

IBM experts in this session explored how organizations can close the time gap between detecting and responding to cyberattacks. By sharing their experiences, they provided valuable insights on how to stay ahead in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.

The speakers for this session were:

Chris McCurdy - General Manager and Vice President of Worldwide IBM Security Services, IBM Security

Ahmed Al Hammadi - Director of National Cyber Fusion Affairs (Operations), National Cyber Security Agency‍

‍The State of Cybersecurity – Year in Review

In this keynote, Kevin Mandia shared stories from responding to hundreds of cyber intrusions in the last year, discussing attacker techniques, defense tips for security operators, and the impact of cybersecurity on board and executive decision-making.

The speaker for this session was:

Kevin Mandia - Mandiant CEO, Google Cloud

Stranger Together: Becoming Monty Python

Eric Idle's heartfelt and humorous talk about the teamwork behind Monty Python provided a much-needed break from serious discussions. His insights on how collaboration led to their worldwide success and the power of laughter were truly inspiring.

The speaker for this session was:

Eric Idle - Co-Creator of Monty Python, Musician, and Writer

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The Role of Partnerships in Advancing Cyber Diplomacy

This engaging panel discussion explored how international collaboration can help set and enforce limits on state behavior in cyberspace, contribute to effective internet governance, and protect digital freedom.

The speakers for this session were:

Kevin Mandia - Mandiant CEO, Google Cloud

Niloofar Razi Howe - Sr. Operating Partner, Energy Impact Partners

Wendi Whitmore - Senior Vice President, Palo Alto Networks

H.E. Nathalie Jaarsma - Ambassador at-Large for Security Policy & Cyber, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands

Nathaniel Fick - Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy, U.S. Department of State
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Survive the Breach-Protecting People & the Company When the Worst Happens

The panelists in this session, consisting of experienced CISOs, communications experts, and legal advisors, shared practical advice on how to protect people and organizations in the event of a crisis, drawing from their own hard-won experiences.

The speakers for this session were:.

Siobhan Gorman - Partner, Brunswick Group

Brad Maiorino - Chief Information Security Officer, Raytheon Technologies

John Carlin - Partner, Paul Weiss

Chandra McMahon - SVP & Chief Information Security Officer, CVS Health

The Language of Being Human

Poet Ali's masterful storytelling performance celebrated humanity and the power of language to communicate universal experiences, reminding us of the importance of collaboration and unity in overcoming challenges.

The speaker for this session was:

Poet Ali - Performer

Security in 2023 and Beyond: Automation, Analytics and Architecture

In this insightful session, Dr. Boaz Gelbord discussed how automation, analytics, and architecture are shaping security and provided guidance on how organizations can apply these principles to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.

The speaker for this session was:

Dr. Boaz Gelbord - Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer, Akamai

The Five Most Dangerous New Attack Techniques

SANS' authoritative briefing on the most dangerous new attack techniques allowed organizations to prioritize upcoming attack vectors and better prepare for them. The session provided valuable insights into current and future threats, as well as practical advice on how to stay ahead.

The speakers for this session were:

Ed Skoudis - President, SANS Technology Institute College

Stephen Sims - Offensive Operations Curriculum Lead and Fellow, SANS Institute

Johannes Ullrich - Dean of Research, SANS Technology Institute College

Heather Mahalik - DFIR Curriculum Lead, SANS Institute, Senior Director of Digital Intelligence, Cellebrite

Katie Nickels - Certified Instructor, SANS Institute, Director of Intelligence, Red Canary

As Day 3 of the RSA Conference 2023 comes to a close, it's evident that the cybersecurity landscape is evolving at a rapid pace. From addressing the challenges of cyber diplomacy and military defense to leveraging the power of storytelling and collaboration, today's sessions highlighted the importance of staying informed, adapting to new threats, and working together to build a more secure digital future.