How can you network with other information security professionals remotely?

I gain the most from joining online communities and exchanging with my peers. If there is one key point that removed pain-points, brought resources for any kind of information security topic, it's clearly online communities. It's more than just technical, it's about bidirectional support, it's about watching the trends, learning tips and tricks to be better at what we do. It's also opening the doors when the time comes. Nowadays, security professional must be connected to their peer to remain relevant. Good thing is that it's never too late to start.

You should network remotely, join relevant online communities like such as LinkedIn, Reddit, or security focused groups. I believe active participation allows us professionals to share knowledge, ask questions, and enhance our reputation. It's like attending a global conference without leaving your desk, you can share expertise, ask questions, and build reputation in the digital world.

Joining online communities is all well and good, but I will say this: quality over quantity. I don’t know about yall, but I can’t keep up with all these groups across all these social platforms. I was part of so many groups and wasn’t even active so now I limit myself to the communities that I get value from. Not for the sake of saying I’m part of it, because I’m building real connections, ya know? I find that super niche groups are the best because everyone can really focus in on one thing (OT/ICS, IoT, Rail cyber, SBOMs, etc). When I join the big generic “cybersecurity group” I feel like a small fish in a big pond. Too many topics that I’m not concerned about so hard to really connect with folks/carry a convo. Just my thoughts.

Being part of online infosec communities is important for security professionals. It helps them collaborate, keep learning, and support each other. In the world of cybersecurity, the work can often be solo, but these communities turn it into a team effort. Members can learn, develop their skills, and contribute to the larger community. It's a way to connect, grow, and thrive in the ever-evolving field of information security.

Since 2018, I have joined a number of great online information security (InfoSec) communities to network with other professionals. As a black InfoSec professional, I joined communities focused on minorities like Blacks in Cybersecurity and Cyversity. I also joined communities focused on general InfoSec such as Information Security Network, Advancing Your Cybersecurity Career, ISSA Discussion Forum, and Cybersecurity - Information Security Technology. I joined an online community called CISO Mentor Network because of my potential interest in being a CISO one day. To help me study for the CISSP, I joined a community called CISSP Mentorship & Guidance. All of these communities were on LinkedIn and helped me network with other InfoSec folks.

If you attend a virtual event and found a specific topic to be interesting, reach out to the speaker on LinkedIn and ask more about it. They are very likely to respond positively.

Yes attending virtual events always helps to learn new things. You can connect with speakers on linkedin and request for help. Virtual events also helps to connect with new group of people.

Yes - there are several options. Prefer quality over quantity. Choose wisely. Surround yourself with likeminded people. Vendor Gatherings: Vendor gatherings, including virtual trade shows, webinars, and other online events hosted by security product and service providers are excellent. Online Forums and Communities: Participate in Reddit communities and specialized forums. Social Media: LinkedIn and X are particularly useful for professional networking. Webinars and Virtual Conferences: Attend webinars and virtual conferences on information security topics. Online Training and Workshops: Can be used for networking as well. Professional Associations: Join professional associations such as (ISC)², ISACA, or ISSA.

Black Hat USA: Black Hat is one of the largest and most well-known information security conferences in the world. It offers a wide range of talks, workshops, and training sessions on a variety of information security topics. DEF CON: DEF CON is another large and popular information security conference. It is known for its hacking villages, where attendees can learn about and practice different hacking techniques.

If your busy schedule doesn't allow you to attend in-person events due to your day job, virtual events can be a convenient alternative. They eliminate the need for travel, allowing you to connect with fellow professionals in your community without leaving your location.

Creating and sharing content has changed my life. In the past two years, I have gained over 25,000 followers, or as I tend to call them, quality connections. Here is how I did it: - Share publicly available resources - Create your own resources and share them - Create explanatory videos and share samples on LinkedIn - Stay consistent - Engage with your audience

Creating and sharing content can be a great way to learn and network with professionals remotely on common topics of interest. For example, writing a blog post about a cybersecurity topic may generate comments and messages from interested professionals, leading to conversations and new connections that can be mutually beneficial.

“Build in public”, as they say. Since starting my blog, I’ve been amazed by the quality connections I’ve made. The most interesting part is actually when people you already know “in real life” read your content and go to you saying: “wow I’ve learned about the security perspective so much, I get why you push for this type of activity!”

I personally use GitHub to share content I have created with other information security professionals, and is also a good way to practice and refine your coding skills. GitHub can also have projects to collaborate with other users, and makes it easy to share and showcase content to potential employers, and subject matter experts (SMEs).

Also, don’t forget to consume and interact with the content of others. And credit them when you do. Try to give as much or more than you hope to get.

LinkedIn can be a valuable asset when it comes to networking with other security professionals. Here are a few tips that can help: 1. Optimize your profile: Create a professional LinkedIn profile. 2. Connect: Send personalized connection requests to cybersecurity professionals. 3. Engage: Join groups, share content, comment, and interact. 4. Share insights: Publish articles and posts about cybersecurity. 5. Attend events: Participate in virtual events and webinars. 6. Stay informed: Follow industry leaders and companies. 7. Respect privacy: Maintain professionalism and privacy. 8. Keep learning: Continuously update your cybersecurity knowledge to stay relevant and offer valuable insights in your network.

Networking apps like Instagram, Discord,twitter useful for collaboration and people connect. If we are using it daily and posting relevant content its a great platform to connect with new people

Shapr: Shapr is a networking app that is designed to help professionals connect with other professionals who share their interests and goals. Shapr uses a variety of factors to match professionals, including their skills, experience, and location. Lunchclub: Lunchclub is a networking app that schedules one-on-one lunches between professionals. Lunchclub uses a variety of factors to match professionals, including their interests, goals, and location. Bumble Bizz: Bumble Bizz is a networking mode of the popular dating app Bumble. Bumble Bizz allows professionals to connect with other professionals who share their interests and goals.

I haven't fully explored networking apps, but they seem promising and potentially valuable. Before diving into using these apps, it's crucial to understand how they prioritize the confidentiality and privacy of your Personally Identifiable Information (PII) data.

Stay in touch with those you meet, personally or virtually. Your network is key to your professional growth, and you never know when somebody may have the key piece of information you need to help you move forward with that next project or opportunity.

Engage with those who like or comment on your posts by reciprocating their interactions. Additionally, regularly like and comment on others' posts to increase your visibility within your community.

Taking follow ups on comment section or via forms is good to track where we are good and where we are lacking. Its a very essential process.

Don't hesitate to send a well-crafted and respectful cold message or email to professionals whose work you admire. Express your interest in connecting and learning from professionals.

Share relevant content: If you see something that you think your contact would be interested in, such as an article, blog post, or event, share it with them. This is a great way to keep in touch and provide value. Offer to help: If you see that your contact is working on something that you can help with, offer to help them. This is a great way to build rapport and demonstrate your skills. Check in regularly: Send your contacts a quick email or message every few months to check in and see how they are doing. This will help you to stay top of mind and build stronger relationships.

Jane was a mid-level information security analyst who was looking to advance her career. She started by attending virtual information security events and connecting with other professionals on LinkedIn. Jane also started using a networking app to connect with recruiters and hiring managers. After a few months of networking, Jane was offered a position as a senior information security analyst at a leading technology company.

In my experience, writing and collaborating on articles with other information security professionals on LinkedIn has proven to be an innovative way to connect and share insights in the field.

The main goal of networking is to increase the reach of your content to the most relevant audience, build your own personal brand and and grow industry knowledge. There's a level of trust that's associated with posting and sharing content and helps you establish yourself an an expert authority on the subject. The quality content you share increases your visibility to hiring managers, recruiters, and industry leaders. Remember, the goal is not just to take from the community but also to give back. The more you engage and interact with others, the more value you'll get out of your experience.

While the digital sphere offers myriad networking opportunities, always prioritize quality over quantity. From my experience, a handful of deep, meaningful connections can be more transformative than hundreds of surface-level interactions. Additionally, remember the human touch. Even in remote networking, personalized messages, genuine interest, and mutual respect can differentiate you from the crowd. Lastly, always keep learning. In the ever-evolving realm of cybersecurity, being a perennial student not only enriches you but also makes you an attractive connection for others.

It's essential to balance joining organisations like CIISEC for professional development and resources with attending events for in-person networking. Joining organisations provides access to community and industry-specific resources, while events offer face-to-face interactions and exposure to cutting-edge insights. To network remotely, participate in virtual conferences, engage in online forums and social media, join professional associations, follow cybersecurity blogs and podcasts, and collaborate on open-source projects. Both approaches, physical and virtual, are valuable for expanding your professional network in the cybersecurity field.