When Cybersecurity Becomes Pay to Play

Awards you have to pay to win, events you have to pay to attend and conferences that expect speakers to work for free. When did recognition and expertise in cybersecurity become something you have to buy?

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 security consultant and regular community speaker James Bore and Gary Hibberd, co-founder of Consultants Like Us and the Real Cyber Awards and Conference.

Pay to play takes many forms in cybersecurity, from awards that come with entry fees and expensive tickets to events charging vendors thousands for access to decision makers. At the same time, large commercial conferences can expect experienced speakers to give up days of preparation, travel at their own expense and appear on stage in return for little more than exposure.

Jim, James and Gary look at where legitimate commercial arrangements end and questionable practices begin. They discuss what gives an award credibility, when paying for access to an event can be worthwhile and why the way cybersecurity treats its speakers could ultimately affect the quality of the events themselves.

Three key talking pointsWhen recognition comes with a price tag

Not every paid award works the same way. From outright offers to buy recognition to free entries followed by expensive ceremony tickets, we look at the different forms pay to play can take and why credibility depends on what happens behind the award.

Should cybersecurity speakers be paid?

Community events and large commercial conferences operate very differently. We discuss when speaking for free makes sense and why expectations should change when an event is making significant money from exhibitors and attendees.

Good speaking takes work

A short conference talk can take days of preparation. James and Gary get into the work behind becoming a strong speaker, why experience and preparation matter and what happens when events prioritise sponsored slots over good content.

If you're deciding which awards and events deserve your time, or building a reputation as a cybersecurity speaker, this conversation is for you.

On what makes an award mean something: