For cybersecurity managers, leading engineers, and department heads, finding industry events that meet your unique needs as technical leaders can be a challenge. While many conferences cater to either the C-suite or newcomers, BSides Albuquerque offers an unparalleled experience focused on the latest cutting-edge research, recruiting top talent, forging collaborations, and accelerating your leadership growth.
Read on for a comprehensive guide on maximizing BSides Albuquerque to elevate your management skills, foster connections, and bring back key insights to strengthen your team’s security capabilities.
Cutting-Edge Research and Innovations
BSides Albuquerque provides early access to emerging techniques, tools, and discoveries shaping the future of information security. Early visibility into emerging techniques and tools provides a valuable competitive advantage.
Latest Vulnerability Discoveries Revealed
Presentations often expose unpublished vulnerabilities and proof-of-concept exploits that foreshadow future widespread threats. For example, past talks revealed early bugs like:
- BlueBorne: Undetectable flaws in Bluetooth subsequently exploited by billions of devices.
- MouseJack: Wireless mouse dongles vulnerable to radio frequency hijacking.
- Rowhammer: Electrical fault injection to flip memory bits and bypass access controls.
Managers hearing these talks pre-disclosure can proactively update architectures and controls ahead of public knowledge.
Latest Tools and Techniques Revealed
Speakers frequently demo cutting-edge open source and proprietary tools still in early development. For instance, past talks have demonstrated:
- AI-driven network anomaly detection frameworks leveraging advanced statistical modeling.
- Next-generation endpoint detection and response (EDR) able to dynamically isolate suspicious activity and user sessions.
- Deception technology prototypes planting irresistible fake assets and honey tokens to divert attackers.
- Prototypes of biometrics-hardened multi-factor authentication devices designed to eliminate phishing and social engineering attacks.
- Machine learning systems able to reverse engineer malware binaries to extract key insights automatically.
Experiencing these innovations early allows managers to provide valuable feedback to creators and evaluate implementation for their teams once mature.
Early Intel to Improve Security Postures
There are also often presentations analyzing techniques used in recent breaches that provide inside knowledge to enhance defenses:
- Step-by-step walkthroughs of the social engineering tactics, custom malware, and lateral movement used in an emerging ransomware strain.
- Insights from red teams explaining how they compromised multi-factor VPN authentication schemes through phishing.
- Reverse engineering of evasive macOS malware highlighting weak spots in detection capabilities.
Armed with these insider details, managers can validate and strengthen protections against dangerous new attack trends.
Novel Research with Practical Applications
While some conferences focus on theoretical research, BSides Albuquerque presenters emphasize practical applications of their work directly usable by defense teams. Recent examples include:
- Detailed breakdown of malware’s abuse of Windows DCOM automation for lateral movement and evasion.
- Analysis of security gaps introduced through improper Kubernetes configuration and access controls.
- Methodologies for modeling organizational risk exposure based on observed real-world attacker behaviors.
- Frameworks to systematically test and improve the security posture of embedded IoT devices.
Recruiting Top Talent
With hundreds of talented cybersecurity newcomers and researchers in attendance, BSides Albuquerque offers unmatched recruiting opportunities.
Exposure to Student Researchers and Independent Talent
The conference provides visibility into brilliant young researchers from programs like CNM, UNM, and NMT who exhibit immense potential. Scout student speakers and participants to source promising candidates hungry for real-world expertise.
Additionally, independent researchers unaffiliated with companies frequently demo impressive capabilities developed on personal side projects. Meet self-motivated talent thinking creatively outside traditional constraints.
Ideal for Sourcing Skills Needed on Your Team
Look beyond typical applicant pools to find specialized skills. For example, if your team needs hardware hacking capabilities, BSides workshops and demos offer chances to assess less visible prospects firsthand.
Let promising talent know about exciting initiatives at your organization like innovative R&D labs to entice them. The informal BSides setting is perfect for authentic conversations about ambitions.
Networking Opportunities to Attract Talent
Rather than quick exchanges at crowded expos, BSides enables quality conversations at smaller social events to share your team’s compelling mission and showcase mentorship abilities.
Follow up with students you connected with about paid internships or upcoming new grad positions. Help researchers take promising proofs-of-concept to the next level with support and direction.
BSides connections translates into pipelines of future cybersecurity leaders eager to make contributions under your wing.
Leadership and Growth Opportunities
From speaking to expanding collaborations, BSides Albuquerque creates visibility that accelerates your influence as an industry leader.
Deliver a Talk or Lead a Workshop
Submitting a speaking proposal or workshop idea to organizers is a chance to share insights from your team’s innovations and achievements over the past year.
Presenting sharpens communication abilities while increasing your professional brand as a thought leader worth engaging with.
Gain Greater Industry Visibility Among Peers
Simply attending raises your profile as managers recognize your commitment to continual learning and community participation. Conversations during sessions and social events allow you to organically express thoughts on pressing issues.
You may attract talent interested in your demonstrated knowledge. Vendors engage based on insights about your team’s needs.
Forge Strategic Partnerships for Your Team
Leverage the open, friendly BSides environment to identify peers working on complementary challenges. Explore potential partnerships combining your unique strengths to drive breakthroughs neither could accomplish separately.
Floating trial balloon proposals in informal BSides chats allows discreet exploration of team-ups before formal investment. Identify shared interests to nurture post-conference.
Collaborating with Peers
BSides tear down inhibitions between organizations, enabling valuable cross-pollination with managers facing similar challenges.
Connecting with Fellow Managers and Lead Engineers
The free flow of conversations at BSides often sparks productive relationships as peers discover shared goals and knowledge gaps.
Brainstorm how informal coordination between your teams could amplified outcomes, like modeling threats together or creating standards.
Building Relationships Beyond Your Organization
Explore techniques your peers use to empower their teams, measure progress, communicate cyber risk, and gain executive buy-in.
Exchange strategies for talent development, work management, navigating internal politics, and more. Expand your leadership playbook.
Knowledge Sharing Among Leaders Tackling Shared Challenges
BSides provides a neutral ground for candid discussion of common difficulties managing highly technical teams securing complex environments.
Peers provide empathetic ears and suggestions when facing roadblocks. You realize many leaders encounter similar growing pains.
Local Insights for New Mexico Organizations
While BSides Albuquerque draws a global audience, the event provides targeted value to leaders of regional New Mexico organizations through localized insights.
Spotlight on Regional Security Landscape
Presentations often dissect challenges relevant to New Mexico like securing national labs, defense contractors operating locally, key research institutions, and political targets.
Threat intelligence has more relevance when tailored to risks facing area organizations likely in your supply chain or ecosystem.
Connecting with Area Colleagues
Strengthen relationships with peers at other organizations within driving distance rather than just connecting at massive conferences scattered nationwide.
Discussing common obstacles and innovations with localized colleagues forges closer cooperation.
Recruiting from New Mexico-Based Programs
Tap NM’s expanding pool of cybersecurity graduates and researchers from programs at UNM, CNM, NMT, AFRL, Sandia National Labs, LANL and more.
Early exposure to emerging talent improves local retention rates after graduation. Students see regional career possibilities.
Ideal Talk and Workshop Topics
While BSides covers the gamut, many compelling sessions provide unique value to management professionals seeking to lead and empower technical teams.
Examples of Management-Focused Sessions
- Defining security engineering career ladders to attract and retain talent.
- Architecting to empower “Shift Left” integration of security throughout the development lifecycle.
- Models for effective matrix management across security and IT departments.
- CISO panel discussions weighing hard tradeoffs and executive engagement.
Presentations like these provide insights applicable the next day on the job.
Hands-On Workshops to Hone Technical Skills
Workshops allow managers to experience the latest tools hands-on just like their teams:
- Threat hunting: Use endpoints and SIEMs to pursue real adversary behavior through simulations.
- Attack/defense CTFs: Gain offensive perspective securing systems against skilled opponents.
- Incident response: Contain live malware and intrusions quickly in high-pressure scenarios.
- OSINT: Learn open-source reconnaissance tools for accelerating security investigations.
Immersive practice cements comprehension and credibility conveying concepts.
Networking Tips for Managers
BSides provides fertile ground for expanding your professional network and nurturing a strong industry reputation over time.
Maximizing Leadership-Level Conversations
Avoid large crowds. Seek smaller sessions, meals, gatherings for meaningful dialogue with CISOs, directors, vendors, and researchers.
Listen intently to understand peers’ goals and challenges before discussing your own. Establish reciprocal value.
Building Your Professional Brand
Express well-informed perspectives when conversing. Welcome introductions to new contacts. Share your team’s achievements when relevant.
Follow up with useful insights and potential connections to contacts after the conference. Provide ongoing value.
Following Up Effectively
Connect with new contacts on LinkedIn citing how you met. Add context and remind them of key takeaways discussed or promised.
Send personalized emails recapping conversations and next steps rather than bulk messages. Set calendar reminders for ongoing nurturing.
Avoid large general sessions. Prioritize smaller gatherings for substantive dialog:
- VIP receptions: Chat 1:1 with eminent researchers and industry leaders.
- Meals: Continue conversations started in sessions with fewer distractions.
- Vendor suites: Explore mutually beneficial collaborations.
- After hours meetups: Jump between multiple close-knit meetups to widen connections.
Seeking intimate settings tailored for managers yields stronger relationships than cattle call expos.
Nurturing Connections Post-Conference
Sustained value comes not from superficial exchanges, but ongoing nurturing:
- Connect on LinkedIn with details on shared interests and promised follow-ups.
- Send personalized emails recapping converations and potential next steps.
- Make introductions to contacts with mutual interests that would benefit from connecting.
- Share relevant articles and insights proactively rather than always asking for help.
Continual cultivation of your network compounds payoffs over time.
Building Regional Professional Community
Tight-knit local relationships amplify security across organizations within your ecosystem:
- Leadership peers: Coordinate and share insights around shared threats impacting the region.
- Local talent pipelines: Guide developing students and attract graduates.
- Vendor partners: Shape products to solve local needs. Receive early access and support.
- Cross-industry cooperation: Brainstorm partnerships with healthcare, education, and government peers.
Scaling your network across surrounding organizations bolsters community-wide cyber resilience.
Key Takeaways
For manager-level cybersecurity practitioners seeking to expand skillsets, networks, and leadership capabilities, BSides Albuquerque delivers immense value through:
- Early visibility into emerging technologies, tools, and threats before broad disclosure.
- Unparalleled talent recruitment opportunities with researchers and students eager to learn from your leadership.
- Platforms to establish your reputation as an industry thought leader.
- Tight-knit peer communities to candidly share leadership tactics beyond organizational silos.
- Localized insights into regional threats and talent that directly impact your ecosystem.
- Training workshops to experience technologies firsthand alongside your team.
To stay at the leading edge of knowledge, relationships, and skills for securing your organization amid constantly evolving threats, make plans to join us at BSides Albuquerque. You will leave re-energized, wiser, and more empowered to advance your team’s mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What trends have emerged in BSides content over time?
While fundamentals remain crucial, BSides has increasingly focused on threats to critical infrastructure and embedded systems, applied AI/ML security use cases, privacy-enhancing technologies, and adversarial interdisciplinary perspectives.
How can I get more involved in the local BSides community outside yearly conferences?
Check BSidesABQ.org for regular chapter meetups. Join their Discord server to interact more regularly. Volunteer to help organize or mentor at future events. Lead a public workshop. Contribute to grassroots community initiatives.
As technologies evolve, so should your security. Discover the difference with ThreatKey and schedule your demo today.
