The RSA Conference (RSAC) is one of the biggest cybersecurity events in the world, bringing together thousands of security professionals, industry leaders, and solution providers. But one of the most underrated opportunities at RSAC is the chance to engage with industry analysts. These experts offer deep market insights, competitive intelligence, and strategic guidance that can give your organization an edge in an increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape.
If you're heading to the RSA Conference, here's how you can make the most of analyst interactions and leverage their expertise to your advantage.
Before you even step foot in the Moscone Center, take time to research the analysts who will be attending. Analysts from firms like Gartner, Forrester, IDC, 451 Research, ESG, and Omdia will be there, offering a variety of perspectives on market trends, vendor landscapes, and emerging technologies.
Key Steps:
Pro Tip: Analysts often publish "Market Guides," "Magic Quadrants," and "Wave Reports" that can give you a preview of their thought process before you meet.
Analysts’ calendars fill up fast during RSAC, so you’ll want to schedule briefings well in advance. Most analyst firms offer opportunities to schedule vendor briefings or client advisory sessions during the conference.
To-Do List:
Pro Tip: If you can’t secure a formal briefing, try to attend sessions where the analysts are speaking and engage with them afterward.
“Analysts get inundated with meeting requests and calendars book up quickly. Identify the analysts relevant to your solution that are attending RSA and try to approach them early,” said Todd Thiemann, ESG. “Analysts want to hear about innovative solutions in their research areas, but have limited calendar slots,” he continued.
To maximize the value of your analyst briefing, come prepared with a clear narrative about your company, product, or security strategy. Analysts want to know:
If You’re a Vendor: Focus on how your solution fits into the broader cybersecurity ecosystem. Be ready to address questions about market differentiation, customer success stories, and technical innovations.
If You’re a Security Buyer: Prepare questions around vendor selection, best practices, and which technologies align with your security roadmap.
Pro Tip: Analysts appreciate directness. Be transparent about challenges and areas where you seek guidance.
Many analysts host sessions, panels, and roundtables at RSAC where they share insights on industry trends, emerging threats, and evolving security technologies. These sessions are an excellent way to gain a pulse on where the industry is heading and to gauge how your organization aligns with broader market trends.
Take Notes on:
Pro Tip: Engage during Q&A sessions to ask specific questions or connect with analysts after the session.
The value of analyst interactions doesn’t end when the conference wraps up. Use RSAC as a springboard to build ongoing relationships with analysts. Analysts often serve as trusted advisors who can provide critical input throughout the year.
Follow-Up Strategy:
Pro Tip: Be mindful of respecting their time and expertise—keep communication concise and relevant.
The insights you gather from analysts during RSAC can fuel various aspects of your organization’s strategy:
For Marketing Teams: Align messaging and positioning with industry trends.
For Product Teams: Validate your roadmap based on analyst feedback.
For Sales Teams: Use analyst quotes and reports to build credibility with prospects.
Pro Tip: Consider subscribing to analyst services post-RSAC to maintain ongoing access to insights and briefings.
Analysts provide an objective view of how your company or solution stacks up against competitors. Use this information to fine-tune your strategy and identify gaps or opportunities.
Questions to Ask:
Whether you're a cybersecurity vendor looking to validate your product strategy or an enterprise security leader seeking expert guidance, leveraging analyst insights at the RSA Conference can significantly impact your success. By planning ahead, asking the right questions, and following up effectively, you can transform analyst interactions into a powerful strategic advantage.
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