Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of interviews with the session leaders of the upcoming GSO 2025 event Aug. 16-17 at the LinkedIn headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., in the heart of Silicon Valley. The event is named with a future date because it takes a 3- to 5-year look ahead at where security leadership and security technology are going.
Registration is open now.
John Dobberstein, managing editor for SecurityInfoWatch.com, recently sat down with Ray Bernard, noted security consultant and author, columnist for Security Technology Executive magazine and writer for Security Business magazine and SecurityInfoWatch. Bernard described the anticipated experience of attending the GSO 2025 summit.
SIW: How did the two-day GSO summit become known as a high-quality security event?
Bernard: There are many ways that the GSO event is different from other security events, but most important is that GSO 2025 is about moving from concepts to action in doing things that are talked about only conceptually or anecdotally at typical security conferences.
SIW: What about “security silos” -- is that one example?
Bernard: It’s a great example, something we delve into in actionable detail. Too often important topics are discussed using metaphors – and security silos is one such metaphor – and that actually stifles the kind of thinking that’s needed to address the issue.
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. Think about that. We’ve starting off the discussion about one of the most critically important topics in security – and we’re using language that isn’t applicable to the situation.
“Breaking down security silos” is a perfect example of that. How actionable is that phrase? It is language that says we have to tear something apart. And that’s the exact opposite of how you solve the problems.
The silo concept refers to the fact that there is communication, cooperation and collaboration that should be taking place between the security function and other parts of the business – but that’s not happening. It’s as if the stakeholders are all in silos and can’t talk to each other. But that’s as far as the metaphor can take us. We have to think beyond the metaphor to solve the lack of communication – which exists for only two reasons.
First, people outside of security have no idea what the full scope of the security function is (or should be), so they can’t engage in the discussions that matter. Second, security practitioners don’t quite know enough about the other parts of the business. They’re almost there but not quite – and so they can’t start and guide such discussions.
The first reason is a situation that relates to the mindsets of people outside of the security function. And there is nobody else who is in a position to fix that situation except the security practitioner – even though it’s other people’s thinking that’s the issue. Fortunately, there are smart and simple ways to address this.
One of our speakers did that very well and actually had all the manufacturing sites calling him to ask to be next in line for their security assessment! True story, and GSO attendees will get to hear about that in exact detail – and what principles the speaker applied to build that scenario.
The so-called silos exist first in people’s mindsets, which are then manifested in the physical world in our organizations. This is a topic that several session leaders address, and one session is specifically dedicated to the subject. It doesn’t matter where you are in the organizational structure, you can change important mindsets from there. Starting with your own, of course.
SIW: What are some of the other ways that the GSO event is unique?
Bernard: There are many aspects that are very different from other security events. It’s designed for a small group – limited to 50 people – to allow for in-depth discussions and explorations of important topics to a much deeper level in ways very specific to the attendees. It also facilitates networking with other attendees throughout the event.
We also hold the event at a leading company’s headquarters meeting room space. It’s provides a comfortable business setting for the kind of discussions we’re having – plus, we have one of their security leaders share some modern insights about managing security in the changing business landscape.
We’re excited to hold year’s event at LinkedIn headquarters, because it’s a great example of a modern headquarters facility. Check out the picture of Building 1, where our event space is located.
GSO is also the only event where attendees examine issues and ideas in advance in preparation for the event. They can take the free Maxwell leadership self-assessment, a simple step that helps get them ready for the Day 1 leadership sessions.
We also talk to the event attendees ahead of the summit, to find out what they are interested in most, and what they’d like to accomplish at the event. This lets us tailor the sessions for the actual practitioners attending.
SIW: Please elaborate on that.
Once attendees have registered, they can submit questions or topics to the individual session leaders. No security conference does that. It’s one of the reasons why we have to limit the attendance to 50 practitioners. You can’t do that with 200 attendees!
SIW: And we will be interviewing some of the speakers in advance of the event.
Bernard: Yes, so take a look at the agenda online and have your questions ready!
SIW: Best of luck and we look forward to hearing more about this year’s GSO 2025 event at LinkedIn headquarters.
Bernard: Thank you John. I am looking forward to all the discussions that will take place at the GSO event.
