2024 in Review and What's Next in 2025

Summary: In this solo episode, Timothy De Block takes a step back to reflect on the journey of Exploring Information Security in 2024 and look ahead to what's coming in 2025. Timothy shares insights into the podcast's growth, highlights from the past year, and the direction for the future, including new initiatives and exciting changes. Key Topics Covered: Podcast Growth and FeedbackTimothy discusses the steady growth of the podcast, with the introduction of new platforms like Spotify and Amazon Podcasts, and a significant expansion into YouTube. He emphasizes the importance of feedback and encourages listeners to connect and rate the podcast. The Podcast’s Focus and VisionReflecting on the podcast's evolution, Timothy talks about how the content has expanded beyond traditional technical topics to cover security awareness, human behavior, and broader cybersecurity challenges. He also mentions the plan to increase blog posts and share security awareness content for listeners to use within their own companies. Live Podcasting and Future EngagementTimothy highlights the success of the live podcast with the ILF crew and shares plans for more live sessions, with opportunities for audience interaction and sponsor exposure. He expresses his excitement to continue experimenting with live recordings and expanding the podcast’s reach. Vendor Insights and Sponsored ContentDiscussing the rise in vendor interest, Timothy talks about how the podcast will feature discussions with vendors about the problems they solve in the cybersecurity space. He shares his commitment to providing meaningful content and avoiding any “sales pitch” style conversations, ensuring that vendor content is both educational and valuable to listeners. ShowMe Con and Networking OpportunitiesTimothy promotes ShowMe Con, a conference where he will be speaking and attending. He shares how it offers a unique mix of hacker and business vibes, and he encourages listeners to participate in the conference or attend as speakers for valuable exposure and networking. Plans for 2025Looking to the future, Timothy discusses his goals for 2025, including more live podcasting, increased blog content, and deeper engagement with the audience. He also shares his excitement for upcoming content, including vendor conversations and security awareness-focused material. Personal Reflections and MotivationsTimothy closes with a personal note, reflecting on his 23 years in IT and his growth in the security field. He talks about his passion for teaching and mentoring, particularly in the realm of security awareness. He also humorously discusses his New Year’s resolution to take January off from drinking, highlighting his commitment to personal growth. Links and Resources: ExploreSec Website ShowMe Con Call for Papers Exploring Information Security on YouTube