RSAC 2024 Recap: The Start of a New Era with AI

Last week was the 33rd Annual RSA Conference 2024 in San Francisco. If you’re in the cybersecurity industry, you know it as one of the biggest events of the year. There were over 40,000 official attendees and an equal number traveling to San Francisco to unofficially attend the event.

Getting to RSAC

For me, the event kicked off on my flight from Denver, Colorado. I started chatting with the gentleman sitting next to me and when he learned I was going to a cybersecurity conference, he shared that he was the recent victim of a cyberattack. Specifically, he was the victim of a sophisticated social engineering attack. 

One moment he had Googled the number for Apple Support and confirmed some account information. The next moment the supposed representative could confirm his most recent travel and other account information and convinced him, in order to resolve an issue on his account, to purchase several Apple gift cards from the nearby CVS. It’s a story we’ve all heard too often but for my seat mate, it was a terrible source of embarrassment and bewilderment. Thankfully, after CVS he made a stop at his local bank and the bank manager helped read the situation and convinced him to hang up his phone and block the number—it was a scam.

The flight landed in San Francisco and I was off to the showfloor for the first day of RSAC. Thanks to the kind gentleman on the flight, I took with me the perspective of the lasting effect a single cyber event can have on a person.

Showfloor Presentations, Conversations, and Giveaways

At RSAC, DNSFilter was proud to be one of the 600 exhibitors sponsoring the event. Nearly 2,000 attendees stopped by the DNSFilter booth to learn about using DNSFilter, the world’s fastest protective DNS, as a cyber defense. Twice every hour we presented a series of presentations:

• The Role of DNSFilter Against a Phishing Attack
• Protective DNS Unleashed: A Ransomware Defense Strategy
• A Demo of New and Exciting Capabilities in Private Beta from DNSFilter

We loved seeing our existing DNSFilter customers stop by to say hello and take photos with our IndyCar (be sure to read our recent race recap here). Many attendees stopped by to learn about making the switch to DNSFilter from Cisco Umbrella. They were excited to learn why it pays to make the switch.

We had two demo stations constantly showcasing how easy DNSFilter is to set up, configure, and get started. And of course, it’s free to try DNSFilter for 14 days.

Giveaways each day included t-shirts, scaled models of our IndyCar, and a grand prize VIP IndyCar giveaway!

The excitement didn’t stop there. Guests were invited to an exclusive party featuring a performance by Third Eye Blind where they played a unique set of covers and originals that delighted the crowd.

RSA Conference Sessions

Across 4 days, there were engaging sessions. AI was undoubtedly the most discussed topic of the event.

• Day 1 explored U.S. foreign policy and AI in cybersecurity. 
• Day 2 highlighted public-private collaboration and AI strategy. 
• Day 3 covered AI safety, inspiration from Jason Sudeikis, and a historic cyber reunion. 
• Day 4 featured White House policy analysis, emerging talent, and CISO challenges.

If you’re interested in catching some of the sessions on-demand, you can link to highlights from our RSAC preview here.

While AI presents concerns about sensitive data being leaked and adversaries using it for their own advantage, the event took a different tone toward AI. Topics ranged from sensible policies that allow the use and development of AI while allowing growth and advancement. Where AI could be of the most value is in: 

1. Aiding cybersecurity professionals to avoid burnout and 
2. Adapting to the already evolving and expanding threat landscapes.

Being at RSAC, attending sessions, and speaking to industry experts, there was a feeling that we, as an industry, are sitting at the very beginning of an exciting new era of computing and cybersecurity. At DNSFilter, we’re right there with you all along the way.

Interested in taking DNSFilter for a spin? Get your free trial here.