Infosecurity Europe 2023

Key Insights from Infosecurity Europe 2023

The summer of cybersecurity events is in full flow as we draw the curtain on Infosecurity Europe 2023. As always, the premier event left a trail of insights, discussions, and predictions that are set to shape the security landscape in the coming twelve months and beyond.  

It was very exciting to see the ExCeL London bustling with security professionals, vendors, and influencers. Like every year, Infosec attracted a high media turnout and a palpable sense of excitement. Let’s delve into the key insights, themes, and trending topics that emerged from Infosecurity Europe 2023, as observed by the Code Red team during their interactions with CISOs, CMOs, journalists, and analysts. 

 

The Event and Its Atmosphere 

Infosecurity Europe 2023 was noticeably busier than the previous year, with a significant increase in visitor numbers. This surge in attendance underscored the growing urgency in addressing the dynamic cybersecurity challenges.  

However, the event was not without its surprises. Some major vendors, including Palo Alto, Sophos, and Zscaler, were noticeably absent from the exhibition floor. Despite this, the event was far from lacking in substance or engagement. The stands were noticeably buzzing with activity, with vendors and attendees engaging in meaningful discussions and exchanges. 

The media turnout was particularly impressive, with the press office reporting strong attendance from major publications such as EM360, Computer Weekly, and Dark Reading – just to name a few. This high level of media interest reflects how rapidly security challenges and threats are evolving, not just within the tech industry but across all sectors. 

Overall, the atmosphere at Infosecurity Europe 2023 was one of optimism and forward-thinking, with attendees and exhibitors alike eager to explore the latest developments and trends in cybersecurity.  

 

Key Themes and Discussions from Infosecurity Europe 2023 

The discussions at the event were as diverse as they were enlightening, with several key themes emerging. 

Defining ‘Cybersecurity’  

One of the most intriguing discussions revolved around the evolving definition of ‘cybersecurity’. The term, often used interchangeably with Information Security and IT Security, is undergoing a shift as the industry matures. The nuances between these terms were explored, with a consensus emerging that ‘cybersecurity’ is becoming a broader, more encompassing term that reflects the multifaceted nature of modern digital security. 

Emerging Markets and Regions 

The event also saw a keen interest in identifying the next big markets and regions for cybersecurity. With digital threats becoming a global concern, opportunities are emerging in regions previously overlooked. Particularly the MENA region was a key focus, as the potential of these markets and the unique challenges they present were a hot topic of discussion. 

Driving Forces Behind Cybersecurity Investments 

Cybersecurity investments were another major talking point throughout the event. There was a lot of emphasis on how regulatory pressures and the increasing cost of data breaches. This is driving businesses to invest more in their cybersecurity infrastructure. However, the discussion also highlighted the need for businesses to understand the ROI of these investments, particularly in communicating their value to non-technical stakeholders. 

Impact of AI on Cybersecurity 

Just like the earlier events this year, the role of AI in cybersecurity was a recurring theme. Vendors and security professionals were particularly emphasizing the threat of large language models (LLMs). Techniques such as prompt injection, prompt leaking, data training poisoning, jailbreaking, model inversion attack, data extraction attack, model stealing, and membership inference were discussed. 

 

Hot Topics in Media Coverage 

The media coverage of Infosecurity Europe 2023 was extensive, with several hot topics capturing the attention of journalists and analysts: 

The Evolving Role of CISOs: The role of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) was a major point of discussion. The media spotlighted the increasing need for CISOs to communicate their value at the board level effectively. This ties in with the broader theme of demonstrating the ROI of cybersecurity investments. The coverage also highlighted the strategies to avoid CISO burnout, a growing concern in an industry known for its high-stress environment. 

Skills Shortage in Cybersecurity: The ongoing skills shortage in the cybersecurity industry was another hot topic. The media coverage underscored the need for effective training programs and strategies to attract and retain talent in this rapidly evolving field. 

AI and Its Implications: The role of AI in cybersecurity was a key focus area in media coverage. Many explored the potential of AI to transform the role of CISOs. However, there was a noticeable gap in vendors’ messaging around AI-related topics. This indicates an area for potential improvement in future communications. 

Evolving Threat Techniques: The media coverage also highlighted the evolving threat techniques in cybersecurity, with a particular focus on AI and large language models like ChatGPT. The potential vulnerabilities introduced by these technologies and the strategies to mitigate them were key areas of interest.

 

Insights from the CMO’s Perspective  

Our conversations with CMOs at Infosecurity Europe 2023 revealed several insights that are shaping the industry: 

Demonstrating Success: One of the key challenges faced by many marketing leaders is demonstrating success. With pressure to focus on lead generation, CMOs often struggle to show the ROI of brand credibility. One CMO shared their strategy of focusing on three key areas in regular surveys of their target market: aided brand awareness, unaided brand awareness, and brand preference. These metrics, they argued, are critical indicators of the effectiveness of public relations and marketing communications efforts. 

Brand Familiarity and Credibility: The importance of brand familiarity and credibility was another key theme. Gartner research shows that nearly 50% of the time taken by B2B buyers is given over to conducting independent research into potential suppliers. A strong emotional component forms part of this early stage – vendors are being assessed on whether they feel credible to be considered further. Without brand familiarity, vendors risk being overlooked, regardless of how ground-breaking their new solution might be. 

Coordinating PR Agencies in Multi-Country Campaigns: Coordinating PR agencies in multi-country campaigns can be challenging. This involves having a single marketing plan that is localized into individual markets, which can lead to a lot of back-and-forth to make it a reality.  

 

Reflecting on Infosecurity Europe 2023, the cybersecurity landscape remains complex and ever-changing. At Code Red, we’re equipped to navigate this terrain, turning insights into actionable strategies. Whether it’s crafting a compelling brand narrative or coordinating a multi-country PR campaign, we’re here to help.

For more cybersecurity news, insights and analysis, follow Code Red on Twitter and LinkedIn. 

 

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