I don‘t need to tell you cyber threats are growing more dangerous every day. As an experienced information security professional, I see it firsthand – data breaches, hacking attacks and online fraud are all rampant.
Just look at some of these alarming statistics:
- Data breaches exposed over 37 billion records in 2021, up 68% year over year [Source: Tenable]
- Ransomware damage costs topped $20 billion globally last year and will reach $265 billion by 2031 [Source: Cybersecurity Ventures]
- 90% of data breaches start with a phishing attack, yet only 30% of clicks are detected by filters [Source: Cofense]
Yikes! Companies clearly need more education around protecting their systems, employees and customers from ever-evolving cyber attacks.
And that‘s why I‘m so thrilled you‘re considering starting your own cybersecurity podcast!
As you know, podcasting has exploded into a mainstream content channel – over 100 million Americans tune in monthly.
By launching show focused specifically on infosec issues, you have an opportunity to:
- Establish expertise and thought leadership around cyber protection
- Help educate employees and customers on reducing risk
- Ultimately convert listeners into clients for security services and software
But where do you start generating ideas and planning such a show? Great question, dear friend!
I‘ve put together this comprehensive guide examining:
- Analysis of popular cybersecurity podcasts already out there
- The topics that should be front and center based on data around risks
- Best practices for structuring episodes, promotion tactics…everything!
Let‘s dig in…
Doing a Deep Dive on Existing Competitor Cybersecurity Podcasts
Before deciding on your own podcast format, topics and takeaways, it pays to listen to some shows already making waves in the infosec world.
I recommend checking out:
- The CyberWire – One of the most established cybersecurity podcasts out there with 6.2 million lifetime downloads. They discuss daily events through interviews with experts.
- Recorded Future – A top threat intelligence provider covers the latest threats along with geopolitics/cyber law issues. More technical and dry in tone.
- The Privacy, Security, & OSINT Show – Host Michael Bazzell interviews digital privacy experts on personal protection tactics for individuals. Very accessible.
Let‘s analyze aspects of these shows using podcast tools:
Podcast Download Statistics
| Podcast | Lifetime Downloads | Monthly Downloads |
|---|---|---|
| The Cyberwire | 6.2 million | 400,000 |
| Recorded Future | 2 million | 185,000 |
| Privacy, Security OSINT | 1.1 million | 125,000 |
We can see The Cyberwire clearly has the biggest audience already from which to build. But all 3 shows demonstrate there is demand for cybersecurity audio content.
Website Traffic Value from Podcasts
The Cyberwire drives over 300,000 visits to their site monthly from the podcast, generating an estimated $480,000 a year in value from ads and lead generation. So podcasts can clearly translate into tangible ROI.
Topic Analysis
Recorded Future and The Cyberwire focus mainly on new cyber threats facing companies and cybercrime/hacking developments in the news. Privacy, Security, OSINT covers more tactics individuals can use to protect themselves online.
This shows content possibilities around both institutional and consumer education.
Guest Expertise
All 3 shows tap into a range of expertise including:
- Cybersecurity company heads
- Government intelligence professionals
- University researchers
- Investigative journalists
- Lawyers specializing in data regulations
This demonstrates the range of perspectives that can provide insights.
Let‘s now transition to discussing meaty cybersecurity topics that could form the basis of episodes:
Cybersecurity Issues to Explore Based on Key Risk Data
In conceiving a cybersecurity podcast, you want to ensure topics map to the most pressing real-world threats organizations and individuals face today.
Some areas I would highlight based on security data include:
Phishing Still Representing the #1 Risk
As stated earlier, 90% of breaches originate via successful phishing emails. Employees remain highly vulnerable to even simple phishing scams.
This is a chance to educate on:
- Common phishing tactics and red flags
- Technologies like DMARC/SPF to block spoofed emails
- Secure user training protocols
Critical Infrastructure Under Increasing Attack
Ransomware attacks rose 105% against critical infrastructure sectors like healthcare, energy and manufacturing in 2021. A podcast can uncover:
- Technical flaws leaving infrastructure exposed
- New government infrastructure security regulations
- Physical and data protection best practices
Work From HomeExpanding the Corporate Attack Surface
70% of people now working remotely opens massive risk. You could address:
- Secure remote access solutions and protocols
- Separating work/personal device access
- Physical home office security considerations
Deepfakes Weaponizing Disinformation Campaigns
Sophisticated deepfakes represent a fast-rising cyber attack vector to explore, assessing:
- The technology behind high-quality video/audio fakes
- Documenting actual deepfake incidents – damage done
- Cutting edge detection/authentication countermeasures
And lots more where that came from! Essentially look to data around rising threat trends and especially costly/disruptive attack types. This will feed directly into relevant, appealing episode ideas.
Now let‘s get into the podcast production nitty gritty…
Optimizing Your Cybersecurity Podcast Production Process
While conceiving clever topics is crucial, you also want to nail down an efficient podcasting process and cadence.
Here are my tips:
Release Cadence
I‘d recommend starting with 1-2 episodes per month. This gives you time to promote each cast while not overburming yourself initially. You can always scale up frequency after establishing production workflows.
Episode Length
Cybersecurity is a complex, technical topic. I‘d keep episodes targeted to 20-25 minutes max so users don‘t get overwhelmed with too much density upfront. Shoot for soundbites that simplify concepts.
Scripting
For cybersecurity perspectives spanning technology, law, government policy etc., scripts ensure you communicate complex ideas clearly without rambling. Outline key soundbites and talking points.
Editing
Carefully editing episodes for clarity will be key. Slice out verbal crutches like "ummm" and redundant phrasing. Weave in short musical intros/outros.
Guest Coordination
Line up guests well in advance and brief them on discussion topics so interviews flow smoothly. Diversity of expertise keeps episodes sounding fresh.
Promotion Activity
Once you‘ve perfected production, relentlessly promote new episodes on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter and Reddit where infosec pros gather. Participate in relevant groups/forums.
Now let‘s move on to tracking success…
Metrics and Benchmarks to Measure Cybersecurity Podcast Performance
Gauging traction will be vital for improving the show and justifying the time investment. I would analyze:
- Downloads: Ultimate indicator of interest and reach
- Reviews: Provides candid qualitative feedback
- Email signups: Helps capture leads and spam listeners directly
- Web traffic: Shows wider discovery/impact converting visitors
Here are some initial monthly benchmarks I might set:
- 3,000 downloads
- 15 reviews averaging 4+ stars
- 500 email signups
- 250 website visitors
Monitoring engagement across platforms like Spotify and Apple is crucial. Use enroll codes to track web traffic directly from your podcast host.
Review metrics regularly and adapt upcoming content to feed what your audience responds to most.
Concluding Thoughts
There you have it friend – a fully fleshed out blueprint for researching, launching and marketing a compelling cybersecurity podcast.
I‘m confident with such a strategic approach focused on addressing data-driven risks and educating listeners, you can build an audience and assert your thought leadership in this crucial domain.
If I can offer any other advice or answer additional questions as move forward with your show, please don‘t hesitate to reach out! I genuinely wish you massive success. This undertaking will pay huge dividends for both your own brand and securing the greater digital ecosystem.
Go get ‘em! And may the cyber force be with you 😉
