Cybersecurity Events Have a Problem

Are cybersecurity events still giving people a reason to turn up, or have too many become expensive sales floors with the same conversations on repeat?

Welcome to Razorwire, the podcast where we share our take on the world of cybersecurity with direct, practical advice for professionals and business owners alike. I'm Jim and in this episode I'm joined by James Bore, Chartered Security Professional, Gary Hibberd, co-founder of Consultants Like Us and Lisa Ventura, founder of the AI and Cybersecurity Association and Unity Group Solutions.

Cybersecurity events have changed. What were once places to discover new technology, catch up with people across the industry and exchange ideas have become a packed calendar of conferences, roundtables, dinners and vendor events competing for people's time. With InfoSec Europe introducing a £50 ticket charge, it raises a bigger question about whether the traditional conference model is still delivering enough value.

We look at why experienced security professionals are increasingly choosing community and fringe events, why the same conference conversations keep coming back and what actually makes an event worth attending. From vendor pitches and expensive exhibition stands to better speakers, smaller audiences and conversations in the pub next door, we discuss where cybersecurity events have gone wrong and what could make them useful again.

Three key talking points:

When a conference stops being worth itA ticket might be free or cost £50, but the bigger investment is your time. We look at why established cybersecurity events are struggling to give experienced professionals a compelling reason to walk through the doors.Why smaller events feel differentCommunity and fringe events come up repeatedly throughout the conversation. Discover why smaller audiences, more focused subjects and speakers who genuinely know their field can create something the biggest conferences struggle to replicate.People don't go to events to be sold toExpensive stands and polished sales pitches do not necessarily build relationships. We discuss why attendees increasingly value access to practitioners, useful conversations and genuine connections over another lap of an exhibition hall.

If you're choosing which cybersecurity events deserve a place in your calendar, or organising one and wondering what will actually make people turn up, this conversation is for you.

On why smaller events work:

" You actually make it small and targeted and tailored. An