BSidesSF 2016

The hacker/security community continues to struggle with how to get our message across to others. We know what's wrong, what's insecure, and what needs to be done to fix the problems. BUT...we seem to hear more stories about failure rather than success stories. Maybe WE are part of the problem. It's easy to give a talk at a conference where you're "preaching to the choir" and everyone speaks your language, but how do you fare when you are trying to give the message to your boss, or your bosses' boss, or C-Level management? This talk will explore a variety of techniques that I’ve learned over my 20+ years of consulting/advising customers about how to get the right message to the right people so real change happens. I'll explore obstacles, attitudes, and challenges that I've faced in hundreds of companies; practical methods for getting your point across; helping others to understand what you are saying; learning to speak their language; and helping them to draw the desired conclusion. This is part art, part science, and maybe a little luck - but I believe there are skills you can learn that will make you a successful communicator and get your message heard.