How do you connect with other security pros and find the best networks?

One often overlooked site is discord. It's mainly associated with gaming but for any topic, there is almost always a discord channel you can join. There are a lot of security professionals, recruiters, and companies that utilize this tool. I've found it to be extremely helpful when needing advice, not only on a problem, but for certification study and help too. The one feature it has that most tools lack is the ability to video and voice chat, so you can really connect with the person, or have them show you live how to fix something.

I've done pretty well here on LinkedIn and then with follow-up and collaboration where it makes sense. How about you all - same?

Online platforms also come with dangers as well, be careful who you connect with. I enjoy the articles from online platforms as a great source for current security topics. I prefer to only connect with pros that I have met with at a conference, through a companies support, or sales channels. Known businesses are great as well. MSP companies will often have multiple connections that are verified in a sense that they are mutual connections of each other. Many IT conferences (in person) are free as they are a hub of vendors trying to make sales connections. Virtual events are great as well but can get you signed up for an endless slew of virtual meeting sales emails. Social Engineering is on the rise, be careful of who you connect with.

You can really learn from joining groups that are specific to your area of focus; by reaching out to industry specific groups you will find resources and contacts that will add to your understanding.

A good way of utilizing online platforms is by following industry leaders on Twitter for real-time updates, and participating in specialized cybersecurity forums for in-depth discussions. Virtual events and webinars also offer opportunities to interact with experts and peers in the field

One way to 'gauge' where you are in relation to your peers is to see what associations they have membership in. If you see associations that many of them have joined I would suggest looking into what membership in that association can offer you if you join.

local communities offer the irreplaceable value of personal interaction, it also offers the benefit of serendipity—you're more likely to have unplanned, beneficial encounters with peers and mentors in a local setting than online. These interactions can lead to collaborative projects and a more understanding of localized issues in cybersecurity.

Consider going to community events that may interface with your professional goals/objectives; you will broaden your knowledge base and make contacts that may lead to future collaborations.

Online courses are a great way to stay 'fresh' in your field; there are so many great asynchronous learning courses out there that will allow you to learn at your own pace. Challenge yourself - I try to learn something new in my field every month.

You can learn from individuals that have retired from your field. Most people I have met over the years are very generous when you ask them to help you. I have taken many people out to lunch just to get their perspective on a project I was working on.

Conferences and workshops are pivotal events in the cybersecurity field, offering opportunities for professionals to learn about the latest research, trends, and tools, as well as network with peers and industry leaders. With the rise of remote work and global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, many conferences have shifted to virtual platforms or offer hybrid models. These virtual events provide broader access, often at a reduced cost, but may require different strategies for networking and engagement.