How to Maximize the ROI at Cybersecurity Conferences

Episode 69 August 04, 2025 00:28:34
How to Maximize the ROI at Cybersecurity Conferences
PrOTect It All
How to Maximize the ROI at Cybersecurity Conferences

Aug 04 2025 | 00:28:34

/

Hosted By

Aaron Crow

Show Notes

Welcome back to Protect It All, the podcast where host Aaron Crow goes beyond the basics of OT to explore the dynamic intersection of IT and OT cybersecurity. In this episode, Aaron takes us inside a hacker summer camp in Las Vegas - home to industry giants Black Hat and DEFCON, where tens of thousands of security professionals gather each year. 

Drawing from his years of experience attending these events, Aaron unpacks the good, the bad, and the ugly of the conference circuit: from the value of in-person networking and the buzz of vendor events, to the challenges of ROI, overwhelming hype, and the evolving role of sponsors.

Plus, he shares hard-won tips for making the most of Vegas - including how to find your tribe, engage meaningfully with vendors, and stay cool (literally and figuratively) amidst the chaos. 

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned attendee, this episode is packed with honest insights and actionable advice to help you navigate the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity conferences.

Key Moments: 

03:05 Networking’s Importance in Vegas

08:29 Evaluating Black Hat Conference ROI

12:17 "CISOs' Discreet Presence at Vendor Events"

13:22 Buzzword Overload at Conferences

18:40 Relationship-Driven Sales Strategy

21:02 Balancing Conference Costs and Value

25:44 "Prioritize Genuine Leads Only"

27:05 Enhancing Cybersecurity Events

Connect With Aaron Crow:

 

Learn more about PrOTect IT All:

 

To be a guest or suggest a guest/episode, please email us at [email protected]

 

Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:

Apple   - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/protect-it-all/id1727211124

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Vvi0euj3rE8xObK0yvYi4

Other Episodes

Episode 75

September 22, 2025 00:58:51
Episode Cover

How to Protect Kids in a Digital World: Online Safety, AI Dangers, and Parental Guidance

In this episode, host Aaron Crow welcomes cybersecurity expert John Schimanski Jr., Chief Information Security Officer at Trivigil, for an eye-opening conversation that every...

Listen

Episode 36

December 16, 2024 00:45:20
Episode Cover

Exclusive Cybersecurity Event at STACCATO RANCH: Where Networking Meets Adventure

Click here to participate in this exclusive event - https://corvosec.com/lonestar-cyber-shootout/ In this episode, Neal Conlon joins  Aaron Crow to dive into the details of...

Listen

Episode 47

March 03, 2025 00:48:48
Episode Cover

The Intersection of AI, OT, and Cybersecurity with Sulaiman Alhasawi

In this episode, host Aaron Crow is joined by Sulaiman Alhasawi, a cybersecurity expert based in Kuwait. Sulaiman shares his journey into OT security,...

Listen