Media publicity training at RSA? Yes, please

A couple of my friends are kicking around an idea for the upcoming RSA Conference that hits me where I live: Media-publicity training. Having met with a gazillion security vendors, analysts, CSOs and consultants over the years, I can tell you this kind of training is sorely needed.

One of the folks behind this is Katherine Nellums, a PR specialist I've worked with frequently over the years. Here's how she pitched the training in an email:

"The premise is that one of the most important tasks in security is communicating the value of it, but many security professionals struggle to do so effectively. We're doing a series of sessions on Wednesday to help researchers, consultants, etc. learn how to communicate the value of their work/research to a broader audience."

The ringleaders of this project are Marisa Fagan, project manager - ProtoDev at Errata Security, and Jake Kouns, director, cybersecurity and technology risks underwriting at Markel Corp.

Two thoughts:

--One area of communication folks need a lot of help with are the PowerPoint presentations. This is especially true for the vendors who travel the world briefing journalists on their latest activities and products. Not to hurt anyone's feelings, but I've sat through thousands of these briefings in the last eight years and I have never, ever seen a slideshow that didn't force my yawn reflex to the surface. Most of these presentations are dreadful -- with charts and diagrams that make no sense. It doesn't have to be this way. I've been to presentations over the years -- particularly at events like ShmooCon -- where the slides entertained while educating the viewers. Training in that area would be huge.

--Writing is an area where security professionals continue to struggle. Their reports tend to be either too technical or too much like a product pitch. In this age of blogging, every security practitioner who is tasked with facing the public should be trained writers. Some may not like it, but it is the reality of doing business on the Internet in a way that will truly reach people.

I think the training they're planning for RSA will help a lot of people. I'll be there to cover it, but also to learn. My public speaking skills could use some work.