Navigating Vendor Speak: A Security Practitioner’s Guide to Seeing Through the Jargon

Navigating Vendor Speak: A Security Practitioner’s Guide to Seeing Through the Jargon

April 24, 2024 at 11:15AM

The text discusses the importance of recognizing fast talkers when dealing with security practitioners. It suggests seven ways to identify fast talkers, such as excessive use of clichés, monopolizing discussions, and making big promises. It emphasizes the importance of discerning valuable professionals and adjusting approaches accordingly. Overall, it highlights the need to focus energies on professionals who can deliver.

From the meeting notes, it is clear that the speaker is addressing the issue of identifying fast talkers in the context of security practitioners. The focus is primarily on providing tips to help distinguish between individuals who genuinely have something valuable to offer and those who are simply fast talkers making big promises without any follow-through.

The seven possible ways to identify fast talkers mentioned in the notes are:
1. Word soup: Identifying individuals who use an excessive amount of words without conveying clear meaning.
2. Big promises: Distinguishing between those who consistently deliver on their promises and those who do not.
3. Clichés: Being cautious of overused clichés, which can be a tactic employed by fast talkers to sway attention.
4. Monopolizing discussions: Noting individuals who attempt to dominate meetings with insufficient or irrelevant information.
5. Over-complimenting: Being wary of excessive flattery, which could be a tactic to divert attention from problem-solving.
6. Something doesn’t add up: Observing inconsistencies or contradictions in the individual’s statements over time.
7. Swiping: Recognizing defensive or combative responses when questioned about incongruous statements.

The main message from the meeting notes is to be vigilant and perceptive when dealing with various professionals in the security industry, especially when evaluating the authenticity of their claims and offers. The ultimate takeaway is to focus on engaging with professionals who can genuinely deliver valuable solutions and expertise.

Overall, the key takeaways are to discern the authenticity of individuals in the security industry, particularly in the context of cybersecurity vendors and surveys, to ensure that efforts are directed towards collaborating with professionals who can truly deliver results.

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