How’s everyone feeling? We’ve just completed Day 3 of our Conference, leaving one more day to squeeze in more in-depth and thought-provoking discussions about cybersecurity and the state of the industry. But the fun isn’t over just yet! Let’s look back at what took place today...

11 keynotes took place today, starting with Cybersecurity and Military Defense in an Increasingly Digital World, which was led by Vivian Schiller, executive director of Aspen Digital at the Aspen Institute, along with retired Gen. Richard Clarke and John Chambers founder & CEO of JC2 Ventures and the former longtime CEO of Cisco Systems, who discussed how innovative technology is impacting the battlefield, and how the pressure is on to get it into the warfighter’s hands more quickly, with assured security. 

We then learned all about what risk and management is like at TikTok from Joe Serbaniewicz in a track session, Applying Logic in an Illogical World: Third-Party Risk Management at TikTok. Giving a look behind the curtain of dance videos and trends, Joe discussed the importance of logic in the day-to-day as a risk security management lead at the social media giant. Joe expressed how often the TikTok risk security management team utilizes “how” and “if then” statements to aid third-party risk management, which surprisingly is a lot!

Next, we heard from Lesley Carhart, principal incident responder at Dragos, Palo Alto Networks SVP Wendi Whitmore and Katie Nickels, certified instructor and director of intelligence at the SANS Institute and Red Canary who discussed some of their incidents from the past year in a session on Real World Stories of Incident Response and Threat Intelligence. This conversation was moderated by long-time cybersecurity writer Lily Hay Newman from WIRED magazine.

In the lobby Moscone North this morning, we had a live broadcast set featuring five cybersecurity speakers and leaders interviewed by Bloomberg TV.

Then, in the afternoon, Eric Idle joined us for a laughter and music-filled keynote on Becoming Monty Python. A co-creator of the classic comedy troupe as well as a musician and a writer, Eric took us on a ride through his show business experience, as well as his musings on COVID, cancer and crucifixion in one of today’s fullest keynote sessions.

Rounding out the day, this year’s Five Most Dangerous New Attack Techniques panel welcomed back experts from the SANS Institute, who explored some novel threat tactics that are in use today, predicted what's coming next and provided tips on what organizations can do to prepare.

There’s lots to learn, and a lot of innovation being talked about this week. You can read more about the Innovation programming in RSAC’s latest blog post here.

Thursday: A Preview

But wait, there’s one more day! If you’re rushing to fit in your last keynotes, here are a few we recommend putting on your calendar:

• Ransomware: From the Boardroom to the Situation Room – 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. at Moscone South, Room 201. This session will explore how senior federal government officials might react in response to the challenges of a major cyberattack and how malicious cyber activity can only be diminished, if not overcome, through close collaboration between both public and private sectors.
• RSAC Security Scholar Poster Pitch-Off – 10:50 – 11:40 a.m. at Moscone South, Room 155. Attendees will learn about cutting-edge research coming out of top universities as four selected RSA Conference Security Scholars pitch to government, research and cybersecurity veterans, who will give them feedback and advice.
• Perspectives on the Developing Cyber Workforce Strategy - 1 – 1:50 p.m. at Moscone South, Room 201. Camille Stewart Gloster, the Deputy National Cyber Director of Technology and Ecosystem Security with the White House Office of the National Cyber Director is moderating this discussion and will lay out key pillars, strategic objectives and next steps stemming from the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy with CHRO of Trellix, Michael Alicea, Dr. Diana Burley Vice Provost of Research and Innovation at American’s University and Advocacy and Global Markets and Member Engagement EVP at ISC2, Tara Wisniewski.
• Standards on the Horizon: What Matters Most? - 2:10 – 3p.m. at Moscone South, Room 201. Technology is moving fast, driving further innovation and our ecosystem relies upon clear standards. So, what are the best next steps? Attendees will hear from the leaders on how to shape your roadmap and priorities.
• The Hugh Thompson Show: Quantum Edition - 3:15 – 4 p.m. at Moscone West Street Level. Attendees are invited to join real quantum computing and cryptography experts along with Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) himself to learn more about pop culture’s fascination with quantum.

Lastly, tomorrow is the annual RSAC College Day. With more than 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs across the globe, and the number of bad actors increasing every day, RSAC College Day welcomes more than 500 current students or recent 2022 graduates' sessions to explore the field, hear from the best, and gain insight into who’s hiring and how to get their resumé in the pile.

Last chance to check out the Expo floor on Thursday! It’s open from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.