What the AI-Cyber Future Holds: A Conversation on the Market with Joseph Blankenship

9:00 am
-
9:35 am
CT

Where will AI create real demand, and where could the hype outpace the opportunity? How will security buyers’ priorities evolve? And what should cybersecurity marketers be paying attention to now to avoid building tomorrow’s strategy around yesterday’s assumptions?

Joseph brings both an analyst’s view of the cybersecurity market and firsthand experience in cybersecurity marketing leadership. Together, he and Gianna will connect the big-picture questions to the decisions you’re making about positioning, messaging, and go-to-market strategy.

This session lets you step back and examine the market your campaigns need to succeed in. Expect a conversation about emerging opportunities, buyer expectations, and what it takes to tell a credible, differentiated story about AI.

We hope you start your day with a sharper view of what’s ahead and perspective on your company's next move.

Speakers

Gianna Whitver

CEO and Co founder

Cybersecurity Marketing Society

Gianna Whitver

CEO and Co founder

Cybersecurity Marketing Society

Gianna Whitver is Co-Founder and CEO of the Cybersecurity Marketing Society, producer of CyberMarketingCon, CyberCMO Summit, and CyberCEO Summit, and Co-Host of the Breaking Through in Cybersecurity Marketing Podcast.

Gianna advises on marketing & GTM for cybersecurity and technology companies. She speaks publicly on marketing, community, and entrepreneurial topics, having presented at CMX Summit, RSA Conference 365, (ISC)2, InfoSec World, and others. Previously, she worked in marketing and operations at cybersecurity, tech, and commercial RE companies. She loves bees and attempting to be funny.

Gianna is a podcast host, emcee/moderator, and on-stage speaker. List of recent speaking engagements:

● How to Create Influence: Four Cyber Creators Tell All (CyberMarketingCon 2025)

● Engagement Killed the Community Star (CMX Summit 2025)

● How Not to Fail at Community (CyberMarketingCon 2024)

● Cyber Oddities: A Lighthearted Look at 2023's Most Bizarre Cybersecurity Moments (SANS 2023)

● What Cybersecurity Practitioners Can Learn From Honeybees (InfoSec World 2022)

● What Cybersecurity Practitioners Can Learn From Honeybees (ISC2 Security Congress, 2021)

● What Cybersecurity Practitioners Can Learn From Honeybees (RSA365 2021)

Joseph Blankenship

VP Research Director

Forrester

Joseph Blankenship

VP Research Director

Forrester

Joseph supports security and risk professionals, helping clients develop security strategies and make informed decisions to protect against cyberattacks. As a research director for Forrester, he leads the analyst team researching security leadership, the role of the CISO, infrastructure and operations, detection and response, and Forrester’s Zero Trust model of information security. His own research focuses on insider risk management, security operations, and security management.

Joseph has presented at industry events, been quoted in the media, and written on a variety of security topics. His almost 20 years of cybersecurity experience include marketing leadership and product marketing roles at Solutionary, McAfee, Vigilar, and IBM (ISS), where he focused on managed security services, consulting services, email security, network security, and compliance. As a marketing leader, Joseph helped align client needs with marketing strategy, messaging, and go-to-market activities while educating users about security strategy.

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About this Session's Track

GTM, Strategy & Exec Leadership

Hear from seasoned executives on crafting go‑to‑market strategies, aligning cross‑functional teams, and leading transformative growth initiatives.