Hack, Break, Learn: The Power of Hands-on Cyber Training

With a global talent shortage and skills that fade rapidly without practice, it’s time to rethink cybersecurity training. Traditional training methods - classroom instruction and online courses - provide foundational knowledge, but true expertise comes from experience. In this session, we’ll explore why hands-on training is the key to building real-world cyber skills. By training in safe, real-world environments, cybersecurity professionals gain confidence, develop instinctive responses, and build the muscle memory needed to defend against rapidly evolving threats. Whether you're a technical specialist or a CISO, this talk will challenge you to rethink how we train, upskill and reskill the cybersecurity workforce.

Key Takeaways:

• Hands-on Training is Essential: Traditional classroom and online courses provide foundational knowledge, but real expertise in cybersecurity comes from practical, real-world experience. Hands-on training helps professionals develop instinctive responses to threats.
• Building Muscle Memory and Confidence: Training in realistic, safe environments allows cybersecurity professionals to build muscle memory, develop confidence, and refine their skills, ensuring they can react swiftly to evolving threats.
• Rethinking Cybersecurity Workforce Development: With a global talent shortage and rapidly changing threats, organizations must shift their focus from traditional training methods to continuous, experience-based learning to effectively upskill and reskill the workforce.