Hugh Thompson on Building the RSA Conference [Afternoon Cyber Tea]

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4.6 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 26 May 2025

⏱️ 37 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

While our team is observing Memorial Day in the United States, please enjoy this episode from the N2K CyberWire network partner, Microsoft Security. You can hear new episodes of Ann Johnson's Afternoon Cyber Tea podcast every other Tuesday. Dr. Hugh Thompson, Executive Chairman of RSA Conference and Managing Partner at Crosspoint Capital joins Ann on this week's episode of Afternoon Cyber Tea. They discuss what goes into planning the world’s largest cybersecurity conference—from theme selection to llama-related surprises on the expo floor—and how the RSA community continues to evolve. Hugh also shares how his background in applied math led him from academia to cybersecurity, his thoughts on the human element in security, and what keeps him optimistic about the future of the industry. Resources: View Hugh Thompson on LinkedIn View Ann Johnson on LinkedIn Related Microsoft Podcasts: Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast The BlueHat Podcast Uncovering Hidden Risks Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	You're listening to the Cyberwire Network, powered by N2K.
0:05.7	Welcome to Afternoon CyberWire Network, where we explore the intersection of innovation and cybersecurity.
0:22.6	I'm your host, Dan Johnson.
0:24.7	From the front lines of digital defense to groundbreaking advancement shaping our digital future,
0:30.3	we will bring you the latest insights, expert interviews, and captivating stories to stay one step ahead.
0:41.3	Thank you. and captivating stories to stay one step ahead. Today, I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Hugh Thompson,
0:46.0	the managing partner at Crosspoint Capital Partners
0:48.8	and the executive chairman of the RSA conference.
0:52.8	Hugh is a tenured cybersecurity expert and has written more than 100 publications on security.
0:59.4	Hugh testified before Congress.
1:01.4	And, of course, he helps build, execute, and secure the world's largest cybersecurity conference.
1:09.1	Hugh, I'm not sure there's anyone who knows more about what
1:12.2	matters to security leaders and professionals than you. Welcome to afternoon, CyberT.
1:17.5	And thanks so much for having me. So, so excited to be a part of us. So as we record this,
1:24.0	the RSA 2025 conference wrapped two weeks ago, and I was there. This year's conference
1:31.5	attracted almost 44,000 attendees, is my understanding, which was a new conference record. It was
1:37.0	certainly busy as I was walking everywhere. Yeah. It was amazing. Like crossing the street was just a challenge. So talk about what goes
1:49.0	into building the event. How far in advance do you start planning each conference?
1:53.8	And so first, it was great to see you there. Oh my gosh. It's incredible to think it's already
1:58.7	been two weeks since the event. But it is a, it's a long
2:03.4	planning cycle. You think about 44,000 humans getting together. There's a lot to pre-plan. So we start
2:12.9	about 18 months in advance of the actual event.
	...

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