Top 7 Must-watch Talks at RSA Conference 2023

The RSA Conference 2023 is set to be one of the biggest and most exciting cybersecurity events of the year. With over 500 sessions scheduled, attendees will have plenty of opportunities to learn from some of the brightest minds in the industry.

If you couldn’t attend the conference, don’t think you missed the thought of trendsetters in the industry. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the top 7 must-watch talks at RSA Conference 2023. From discussions on emerging technologies to insights on the latest threats and security measures, these talks will provide valuable knowledge and insights for anyone interested in cybersecurity.

1. Looming Identity Crisis

Rohit Ghai, the Chief Executive Officer of RSA, a global leader in identity and access management (IAM) solutions, presents a talk at the RSA Conference 2023. In his talk, Ghai delves into the challenges posed by the age of AI and how it necessitates a shift in traditional approaches to identity. He emphasizes the critical role of the cybersecurity industry in securing identity as it evolves and highlights the need to answer fundamental questions about our capacity to do so. Through his insights, Ghai discusses solutions to avert an impending identity crisis. As a distinguished leader in the cybersecurity industry, Ghai’s talk offers valuable insights into the future of identity and access management.

2. Security in 2023 and Beyond: Automation, Analytics, and Architecture

Boaz Gelbord, Akamai’s Senior Vice President and Chief Security Officer, leads the company’s Information Security organization, overseeing cybersecurity and information security compliance. In his talk at RSA Conference 2023, Gelbord discusses how digital transformation has revolutionized organizations’ perceptions of security and the subsequent evolution of attacks by adversaries targeting various sectors such as governments, financial institutions, and healthcare. Through this session, Gelbord sheds light on the role of automation, analytics, and architecture in shaping security and provides insights into how these principles can be effectively applied to enhance security in organizations.

3. Defending at Machine Speed: Technology’s New Frontier

Vasu Jakkal, the Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Security Business, is responsible for overseeing Microsoft’s Security business, which includes Security, Compliance, Identity, Management, and Privacy. At RSA Conference 2023, Jakkal presents a talk on the future of cybersecurity, highlighting the critical role of human expertise in conjunction with technology. Jakkal emphasizes that it’s not just about what technology can do but what people can achieve when empowered by it. In the face of increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, Jakkal discusses how breakthroughs in technology can help close the security gap and reshape the future of cybersecurity.

4. No More Time: Closing the Gap with Attackers

Chris McCurdy, General Manager and Vice President of Worldwide IBM Security Services at IBM Security, and Ahmed Al Hammadi, Director of National Cyber Fusion Affairs (Operations) at the National Cyber Security Agency, collaborate in presenting a talk at RSA Conference 2023. They highlight the challenge that cybersecurity teams face in detecting and responding to cyberattacks despite having access to vast amounts of data. While the time taken by attackers to deploy ransomware has reduced significantly, the time taken by cybersecurity teams to respond remains in weeks or even months. Through this session, IBM experts explore how organizations can bridge the time gap to improve their response to cyberattacks.

5. The State of Cybersecurity – Year in Review

Kevin Mandia, the Mandiant CEO at Google Cloud, delivers a keynote at RSA Conference 2023 in which he reflects on the evolving threat landscape of the previous year. In 2022, Mandia notes, macro-economic pressures and conflicts provided fertile ground for innovation and evolution in cyberattacks. Drawing on his extensive experience in responding to hundreds of cyber intrusions, Mandia shares stories and insights into attacker techniques, cyber defense tips for security operators, and how cybersecurity is influencing executive decision-making. 

6. Why I’m Optimistic (And You Should Be, Too)

Lee Klarich, Chief Product Officer at Palo Alto Networks, delved into the question of whether cybersecurity is a solvable problem. With each new technology innovation presenting malicious actors with fresh attack landscapes, the notion of stockpiling cyber insurance can seem like the only viable solution. However, Klarich believes that new advances in cybersecurity have changed what is possible and that organizations can adopt a framework to embrace what’s next. Drawing on his experience as a cybersecurity professional, Klarich offers insights into the latest developments and a framework that organizations can use to tackle the cybersecurity challenge.

7. Threat Response Needs New Thinking. Don’t Ignore This Key Resource

Tom Gillis and Jeetu Patel are both senior executives at Cisco. Tom Gillis is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Security Business Group, while Jeetu Patel is the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Cisco’s Security and Collaboration. Their talk discusses how intelligent solutions can help alleviate alert fatigue and provide real-time threat detection while emphasizing the importance of leveraging network infrastructure to enhance security. They also touch on the significance of human expertise in threat detection and response, drawing parallels between modern security operations and traditional detective work.