GrrCON 2024 Review: A Comprehensive Cybersecurity Conference
I’m Brian Olson, a cybersecurity professional with deep experience in DFIR and network forensics—currently working in Big Tech. My mission? To share hard-won lessons not just with fellow experts, but with anyone learning and growing in security—especially those in smaller companies without the resources or teams a massive enterprise has. I started blogging to break down real-world strategies, honest tool reviews, and battle-tested workflows in plain language. Whether you’re an underdog SOC analyst or a curious IT pro tackling security for the first time, my goal is to make the practical side of cybersecurity a little less overwhelming—and a lot more actionable. Expect guides that cut through the noise, resources that are actually useful at the keyboard, and stories that prove you don’t need a giant budget to make a real impact. You’ll also find my takes on personal finance, real estate, and anything that helps us level up—in and out of work. Let’s connect. We’re all in this together!
This past week, I had the privilege of attending GrrCON for the first time, thanks to recommendations from colleagues at SANS. Despite initial reservations about visiting Grand Rapids, MI, I was pleasantly surprised by the trip.
Conference Overview
GrrCON exceeded my expectations in terms of size, with approximately 2,000 attendees. The convention center was impressive, boasting over 50 sponsors, including prominent names like CrowdStrike, Palo Alto, and Arista.
Location and Accommodations
I stayed at a nearby Marriott property, within walking distance to the convention center. The downtown area, although smaller than major cities, was charming and enjoyable, with beautiful weather adding to its appeal.
Session Highlights
Due to my own presentation on the second day, I could only attend about half the talks I intended to. However, the sessions I did attend were informative and diverse, catering to various interests. The conference featured three tracks with mostly 25-minute talks, including my own.
Networking Opportunities
I was impressed by the attendees’ sociability, despite our field’s high percentage of introverts. I met numerous professionals, many of whom initiated conversations, demonstrating the event’s strong networking potential.
Recommendation
I thoroughly enjoyed GrrCON and plan to return next year with a new presentation. I highly recommend this conference to anyone working in cyber defense. While I didn’t notice any offensive security content, the focus on defensive strategies made it an excellent choice for professionals in this field.
Key Takeaways
GrrCON’s size and sponsor lineup exceeded expectations.
Diverse session topics catered to various interests.
Attendees were surprisingly social and open to networking.
Grand Rapids’ downtown area was charming and enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
GrrCON 2024 was a valuable experience, offering insightful talks, excellent networking opportunities, and a welcoming atmosphere. I look forward to attending future events and recommend it to cybersecurity professionals seeking a comprehensive conference experience.
