Now it's time to get down to business

OCSC: Thank you both for joining me today. Let's start with the first question. The OCSC is celebrating 30 years of international collaboration in cybersecurity. What do you think are the key milestones and achievements that have shaped the cybersecurity landscape during this time?

Sabine d’Argœuves: Well, it's quite incredible to think it's been 30 years already! The industry is ever-changing, but collaboration has grown in maturity and structure. We've seen a widening of the audience, with more involvement from the private sector. Cybersecurity has become a universal concern, from phishing emails to ransomware attacks. No one can ignore the risks anymore, and this has driven maturity and collaboration across countries and sectors.

Mark Zaijcek: Indeed, the cybersecurity landscape has evolved significantly over the years. Key factors include the growth and evolution of the internet, the development of the World Wide Web, and our increasing dependence on networked information systems. The attack surface has expanded, leading to greater threats and risks. On the achievement side, we've seen the establishment of incident response teams worldwide, an increase in cybersecurity knowledge, and improved cooperation and information sharing.

OCSC: This year's conference is forward-looking, focusing on the future of security incident management. What inspired this theme, and why is it important for the cybersecurity community?

Sabine d’Argœuves: Looking back at the past is essential, but we must make it actionable for the future. Anticipating our needs, evolving threats, and changes in the cybersecurity landscape is crucial. This conference provides an ideal platform to discuss these topics and enrich our community with forward-focused ideas and analysis.

Mark Zaijcek: While I may not know the specific inspiration behind the theme, I do believe it's highly relevant. Effective security incident management is critical. It helps us prevent, detect, analyze, and respond to incidents more efficiently. This theme encourages us to explore improvements that benefit the entire cybersecurity community.

OCSC: For professionals considering submitting proposals to speak at the conference, what advice would you offer to ensure their proposals stand out and align with the conference's objectives?

Sabine d’Argœuves: First and foremost, I'd encourage everyone to submit their proposals – you've got nothing to lose! From a practical standpoint, focus on highlighting actionable items in your proposals. Show how your idea addresses a need or serves the broader community. If your proposal is future-oriented and forward-thinking, that's a significant bonus, aligning perfectly with this year's theme.

Mark Zaijcek: When crafting your proposal, consider the audience's perspective. Ask yourself, "What's in it for them?" or "Why should they care?" Tailoring your submission to captivate and motivate other attendees to learn from or contribute to your topic area is key.

OCSC: Thank you both for your insightful answers, and for sharing your perspectives on the conference and its theme. We encourage everyone in the cybersecurity community to participate by submitting proposals and joining us at the conference. Your contributions will undoubtedly help shape the future of security incident management.