Are you curious where your peers get updates on the latest IT and security news? Or maybe you have an inside scoop on a resource or conference that deserves more recognition? We were curious, too. So, we took the question to our community in a broad survey of professionals - from security experts to technology leaders and admins. The responses gave us great insights into where IT and security practitioners are hanging out online and in-person, including the top:
Since a majority of respondents wanted to see the survey results, we decided to turn them into a full post. We’re confident that you’ll find a few gems in the recommendations, like a new favorite newsletter or a YouTube channel for bite-sized learning over lunch.
Online communities and platforms like Reddit, Discord, and Slack are one of the first places professionals go for authentic advice, feedback, and recommendations. And it’s no secret why. Peer-managed communities grow organically and they are a trusted environment for unfiltered insights. In addition to offering practical tips, online communities can also help professionals build their networks, find job opportunities, and cultivate an audience.
Our survey results show a bias toward Reddit and Slack (comprising 46.6% of all responses), and the most popular channels and subreddits include the following:
Slack
Mac Admins Slack Workspace (75,000 members)
What was grouped in the 32.3% of responses labeled “Other?” Good question. Notable entries include:
Online communities are valuable for their direct networking opportunities with peers. But, because they’re typically moderated by community members, they may not offer the same depth of editorial review and citations as an official industry source. That’s why many professionals also subscribe to verified news sites and trusted publications for updated security notices, thought leadership, and analysis of emerging trends.
Whether you’re a time-crunched executive or a team-level expert, most of us start the day scanning our favorite sites for the latest news. Our survey showed that while communities remain one of the top ways to find and digest security insights, there are many other popular sources and preferred content formats for IT and security professionals. Here are a few key takeaways from the responses:
For a quick analysis, we’ll first look at responses by their category type (e.g., blog, podcast, newsletter, etc.), then we’ll list and link to the top sources referenced in each category.
Many authors and podcasters listed here are also active on social media, which offers a direct way to interact with the writers, participate in conversations, and share content with your connections. Our next survey section uncovers where IT and security professionals are active on social media networks and which thought leaders get the most attention.
Social media is increasingly where news and insight are consumed, regardless of your industry. But the mix of personal and professional opinions can make legitimate news harder to find and verify. This was evident in our survey questions about social media, which received fewer and less consistent responses. And for those who did answer, it was clear that respondents don’t have many trusted resources.
Unsurprisingly, most responses were grouped around previously mentioned blog and media sources (e.g., Krebs on Security), while LinkedIn and YouTube were the most common sites. Below we’ve highlighted the top accounts mentioned in our survey to help you curate a productive and credible social feed for your preferred platforms:
Social platforms are great for growing your digital network and learning independently. But what if you’re eager to connect at conferences, join local meetups, or tune in to webinars? Our survey finished with a question to learn what kinds of events IT and security professionals find most valuable.
While conferences are ideal for those who enjoy the mix of in-person sessions and face-to-face networking, others prefer the convenience and $0 travel budget for online events and webinars. And some survey respondents noted they don’t attend events at all, whether due to budget, limited awareness, or simply not finding them useful. Here's what emerged from our results:
This survey was the first in a series designed to draw out unique insights from both Kandji users and the broader community. If you know of a must-have resource that we left out, fill out the form below so we can add it to future versions of this post:
Future surveys will go deeper into specific best practices, tooling preferences, and expert recommendations. If you want to see upcoming results and join an active, growing community of your peers, here are the best ways to stay up-to-date: