Play Nice In The Sand Box :)
Next week is the annual RSA Conference, our industry’s largest trade expo and conference. People from the world over will gather in the greater San Francisco, California area to attend the conference, the panels, walk the vendor floor to see what’s “hot” in the industry, network and engage in lively debate and discussion related to our trade craft. Additionally, SecurityBSides San Francisco will be running during the same time. At this conference speakers from points near and far will converge and share information with an audience eager to learn, grow, contemplate and debate all things information security related. It is an exciting time and a series of events that should, if at all possible, not be missed. I am looking forward to the trip to San Francisco for several reasons none of which are clandestine or confidential. I’ll be speaking at SecurityBSides San Francisco with John Pirc and am very much looking forward to doing so. I feel our presentation will be lively, invigorating, thought provoking, entertaining and above all informative. Additionally, I feel it will be a nice opportunity to meet and confer with my peers on matters which we are in agreement and disagreement upon in the hopes of gaining greater levels of clarity and understanding all while encouraging respectful, thoughtful, professional discourse.
Too often in our industry (and life in general), do we see denigration become the rule as opposed to the exception within our industry leading to bad blood, misunderstanding and hurt (yes I’m saying it), hurt feelings. We’re all human and I do not believe for a moment that any are above reproach. Having said that, I’m looking forward to a new era of enlightened knowledge transfer and sharing with some of the industry’s best and brightest in the hopes that through such activity we will edge ever closer to addressing that which ails our industry and threatens our collective (in the bigger non-industry sense), way of life. My challenge to my peers and myself for the coming week is to refrain from negativity and embrace constructive criticism and dialogue. This will, no doubt, be more difficult for some than for others however my challenge stands. My hope is that as a community of professionals we will adhere to some basic rules all (or most all of us) were taught by mom and dad and likely learned in kindergarten to boot:
- If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all
- Even when you know that you know more or are more experienced don’t make a point of letting others know; it’s unseemly
- Do more good than harm
In short these in association with lessons espoused in cultures the world over such as those which advocate treating others with respect and in a manner which you would want to be treated should aid us all in making the most out of this exciting opportunity. Have fun and see you at RSA!
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