RSA 2019 Focuses on Building Better Security

It’s time for the annual celebration of all things security at RSA 2019 in San Francisco this week. As the cybersecurity industry approaches a quarter of a century trying to secure networks, devices, and data, it seems ironic that the theme of RSA 2019 is “Better.”

As #RSAC2019 kicks off … the industry is aiming for “better.” https://t.co/JUr6hEj6vS

— Molly Wood (@mollywood) March 4, 2019

However, as we become more connected to devices and more interconnected as a result, then looking at how to improve security is a necessary and worthy goal. In no field of endeavor is this more true than the federal government where agencies are facing unrelenting attacks from hostile national actors. And, the stakes are only getting greater as all agencies put more data in the cloud to leverage Artificial Intelligence to garner strategic advantages.

Modern Star Wars: JEDI, the Dark Side and the Fight for National Security via @forbes @furrier #RSAC #RSAC2019 https://t.co/Zv0RkeWe7L

— John Furrier (@furrier) March 4, 2019

As Blackberry Cylance’s Malcolm Harkins pointed out in an RSA Conference podcast with Dan Woods: “Defense in Depth has become Expense in Depth.” But does building better security necessitate a large budget and spend?

More cool quotes for #CISOs from Malcolm Harkins @ProtectToEnable of @CylanceInc and #RSAC from @EarlyAdopterEAR podcast interview: “Consider the entire company budget something you can use and influence to improve cybersecurity.” “Defense in depth has become Expense in Depth”

— Dan Woods (@danwoodsearly) March 4, 2019

Not necessarily. Sometimes the things that build a robust cybersecurity posture come from following best practices from trusted authorities like the National Institute of Standards and Technology and working together to get buy-in from the workplace community.”

Kicking off my first #RSAC with a talk from @usnistgov‘s Diector Dr. Walter Copan at Public Sector Day! Currently discussing the #NCCoE hands on/collaborative approach that staff takes in developing guides alongside the #cybersecurity community. pic.twitter.com/SDmd6viOwj

— Marisa Harriston (@MarisaDH) March 4, 2019

Because, as any security expert knows, user education is the frontline defense in building truly robust defenses against attackers.