How to Navigate RSA Conference 2021 Online

TL;DR

Plan your RSA Conference 2021 schedule in advance through the virtual environment, especially for limited-capacity Learning Labs and live networking activities. Keynotes and traditional track sessions become available on demand approximately two hours after broadcast, but interactive experiences and networking occur only during the live event, which runs May 17–20 during Pacific Time business hours.

Transcript

Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, everybody. My name is Linda Gray Martin. I'm the Vice President of RSA Conference, and welcome to today's webcast, which is a know before you go webcast prior to RSAC 2021 next week. So the objective of today's webcast is really to give you some useful information, some tips and tricks for navigating ... Read More

Key Insights

• RSA Conference 2021 runs live from May 17 through May 20 during United States business hours in Pacific Time. Attendees in other regions should account for the time difference when planning live sessions, networking opportunities, and interactive activities.
• Keynotes and traditional track sessions become available on demand approximately two hours after their live broadcasts. Interactive experiences and networking do not receive equivalent on-demand availability, so attendees must prioritize those activities while the virtual platform is live.
• The virtual environment supports advance planning through session scheduling and favoriting. Attendees can access it from the RSA Conference website or through the emailed login link, then use filters and the printable daily agenda to organize a personalized conference schedule.
• The conference program includes more than 24 tracks, over 250 traditional sessions, more than 230 interactive experiences, and 21 keynotes with 44 speakers. The agenda combines established conference tracks with timely subjects, including the challenges of securing a remote workforce.
• Learning Labs are limited-capacity interactive sessions lasting one to three hours. All-access pass holders may schedule and attend one lab during the conference, and some labs require advance work or placement into another virtual environment before the session begins.
• Birds of a Feather sessions are small-group discussions centered on specific interests. The format emphasizes active conversation and relationship building, allowing participants to meet peers whose knowledge and contacts may remain valuable beyond the conference week.
• Sandbox programming provides interactive learning through eight themed Sandboxes. Activities include expert-guided Birds of a Feather discussions, short Lightning Talks followed by live questions and answers, Capture the Flag exercises, and other engagements intended to expand participants' knowledge and professional networks.
• Continuing education documentation is available through the virtual experience report on each attendee's dashboard. Credit requirements vary by association, with participating organizations including the American Bar Association, FAIR Institute, GIAC, IAPP, and ISC Squared.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do I plan my RSA Conference 2021 schedule?

Log into the virtual environment before the conference through the RSA Conference website or the link sent by email. You can favorite sessions and add them to your schedule in advance. Use the available agenda filters, printable daily agenda, orientation video, and daily emails to identify relevant sessions and avoid missing limited-capacity or live-only activities.

Q: When is RSA Conference 2021 and what time zone does it use?

RSA Conference 2021 takes place from Monday, May 17, through Thursday, May 20. Live programming follows United States business hours in Pacific Time. References to morning and afternoon keynote blocks also use Pacific hours, so attendees joining from other regions need to translate those times when building their schedules for live programming.

Q: Which RSA Conference sessions are available on demand?

Keynotes and traditional track sessions are scheduled to become available on demand approximately two hours after their live broadcasts. This lets attendees catch up when simultaneous sessions or time-zone differences prevent live viewing. Interactive experiences and networking are available only during the live event, so they should receive priority when planning a conference schedule.

Q: What content is included in the RSA Conference 2021 agenda?

The agenda contains more than 24 tracks, over 250 traditional sessions, more than 230 interactive experiences, and 21 keynotes featuring 44 speakers. It also includes seminars presented by five association partners and the annual Innovation Sandbox Contest on Wednesday. Track programming includes familiar subjects as well as timely content about securing the remote workforce.

Q: How do RSA Conference 2021 Learning Labs work?

Learning Labs are interactive sessions for all-access pass holders that run for one to three hours and combine large-group participation with smaller-group engagement. More than 30 labs are offered from Monday through Thursday. Capacity is limited, attendees may schedule and attend one lab, and some sessions require advance preparation or access to another virtual environment.

Q: What are Birds of a Feather sessions at RSA Conference?

Birds of a Feather sessions are live, small-group discussions organized around particular topics of interest. Participants exchange ideas directly with others who selected the same subject, with the goal of increasing both practical knowledge and professional contacts. The agenda includes 34 such discussions, plus approximately an equal number discoverable within the Sandbox area.

Q: What activities are available in the RSA Conference Sandboxes?

Eight Sandboxes provide interactive learning opportunities across the conference week, with some running for one day and others spanning multiple days. Their activities include Birds of a Feather discussions guided by industry experts, informal Lightning Talks with live questions and answers, Capture the Flag exercises, and other engagements designed to build knowledge and connections around specific subjects.

Q: How can attendees document continuing education participation?

Attendees can download a virtual experience report from their dashboard in the conference environment to support continuing education credit requests. Requirements and accepted credits vary by association, so the report does not imply identical credit treatment everywhere. Participating organizations named in the webcast include the American Bar Association, FAIR Institute, GIAC, IAPP, and ISC Squared.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• RSA Conference 2021 takes place virtually from May 17 through May 20 during Pacific Time business hours. Attendees can enter the virtual environment before the conference to favorite sessions and build schedules. A printable daily agenda, orientation video, and daily emails help participants organize their time and identify upcoming activities.

• The program includes more than 24 tracks, over 250 traditional sessions, more than 230 interactive experiences, and 21 keynotes featuring 44 speakers. Recognizable tracks are joined by timely programming such as securing the remote workforce. Access to keynote programming varies between all-access, content, and Digital Expo pass holders.

• Interactive options include more than 30 Learning Labs, 34 Birds of a Feather discussions, eight Sandboxes, Lightning Talks, Capture the Flag activities, and the Innovation Sandbox Contest. Learning Labs last one to three hours, may require advance preparation, have limited capacity, and are restricted to one scheduled lab per attendee.