I don't like my selfies.

But I know why selfies are important to social media.

This past week I made it to three different Atlanta events: the Official Cyber Security Summit, Tie Commerce Connect, and ISACA Atlanta's Fall Networking event. Plus I got to catch up with a colleague for coffee! It was great to see many familiar faces at each event and to meet new people as well. Each event had a different purpose and agenda, but at each was the opportunity to connect with the community and build and reinforce the relationships they bring together.

Despite the three photos I shared this past week (you can see them again up above), I'm not a fan of taking selfies. It always feels awkward and I imagine others around are thinking why would someone take a selfie here? The selfie-mode lens always creates a funny look - and I have to remember to look at the lens, not the screen, or the photo button. And to find a natural, not-posed, facial expression. I'm sure I'm putting much too much though into the whole thing. But the end result is I never like my selfies all that much. And often skip taking them as a result.

Although I don't enjoy it as much as it seems others do, I realize the value they bring. Photos of ourselves and others is a key fiber of the tapestry we weave at social events. It's not just proof I was there, but also a way to help bring others a little bit closer as well. We can't all be in all places and attend all events. But we can live vicariously through the shared experiences of others. And these photos are just a part of letting others do so. I don't presume people want to see a picture of me, but I do think many would have liked to have been where I was. And I can share that little sliver of time and place with others through the photo.

And that's just what social media is - a non-stop networking event. And who would we rather network with: real people or stock photos and AI generated imagery? We are social creatures, even us introverts, and so seeing each other in our real forms still wins the day. When we see each other on social media, especially when we're somewhere we want to share with others, it helps the viewer be a little closer to where we're at in the moment. The selfie we post creates a connection no other image can replicate.

The social networks we participate in have their own currency. It is based not on cash (unless you're buying ads), but on contributions and participation. Creating content is step one for many, but creating contributions is always better. Commenting on others is a great example of how we can create contributions which drive the network. Sharing where we're at, who we're with, and what we're up to is another way to help be a participant. And sometimes, the easiest way to do this is to share a selfie.

Even if it feels awkward.

More Pain or More Gain

Implementing a Compliance Framework at Your Company

My latest article contribution to The National CIO Review? is out. I dive into the risk and benefit analysis a company should do when deciding whether to pursue a new framework.

Check it out here:

Week In Review

Much of the week was spent at events and my posts reflect it.

On Monday, I put up a survey about insider threat versus external threat versus third party threats. It was very interesting to hear the topic come up at Tuesday's Cyber Security Summit in so many sessions. There's still time to vote in my poll, the link is below!

• "The call is coming from inside the house!" (A poll)
• Atlanta Official Cybersecurity Summit
• Email not getting through? A free health check.
• TiE Commerce Connect 2024
• It's great to catch up!
• Social Saturday - great organizations in Atlanta

Check out the posts and join in on the conversation!

In Conclusion

Next week's entry will be two years of "Week In Review" as a newsletter. Be sure to join me in celebrating the milestone!

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I hope this coming week is exactly what you need it to be!

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About Erik

Erik Boemanns is a technology executive and lawyer. His background covers many aspects of technology, from infrastructure to software development. He combines this with a "second career" as a lawyer into a world of cybersecurity, governance, risk, compliance, and privacy (GRC-P). His time in a variety of companies, industries, and careers brings a unique perspective on leadership, helping, technology problem solving and implementing compliance.

He's available to help you with any of this now too!