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The Wind Up
Information Security targets the "man-in-the-middle." Not your traditional middle manager (who is gradually going the way of the Edsel), mind you, but the chief information
security officer (CISO), who toggles between the CIO and staffers operating in the trenches and plays an increasingly important role in corporate America.
Nearly 70% of Information Security's readers are CISOs -- predominantly from Fortune 1000 companies -- who report directly to their CEOs. The monthly publication (68,000
circ), which launched in 1998 (and in February rolled out its first redesign), seeks deep technical stories that helps these managers do their jobs better, with real-world
examples to illustrate information security successes and failures. (TechTarget acquired the magazine in 2003.) It has a regular stable of editorial departments that are mixed and
matched throughout the year. In this area, PR pros should concentrate their efforts on Techknowledge, which features stories on how companies infuse technology throughout the
enterprise, and Dispatches, which profiles information security officers in action, such as the recent piece on Army Major Tom Lantzky, who is responsible for IT security in Iraq.
Bakeoff is a regular feature comparing competing tools and technologies and their approaches to a security problem, using lab-test results. It's designed to help security
managers make intelligent purchasing decisions. The magazine sends an RFC (Request for Consideration) to appropriate vendors about four months in advance of publishing a Bakeoff
article. Consult the editorial online calendar for technologies that will be covered in future Bakeoff pieces and allow four months out since the magazine needs time to gather and
test the products.
"We're interested in the context of security," says Andrew Briney, editorial director of the TechTarget Security Media Group. "We want unique case studies, told in a narrative
format, on how company X implemented technology Y and how it's been helpful in either reducing security risks or complying with certain technology regulations."
He adds: "Technical minutiae is a starter but we really want stories about how IT security helps management to protect brand identity and intellectual property and safeguards
customers, partners and client information."
The Pitch
There are three assets in the TechTarget Security Media portfolio to pitch. First, Information Security (see above); second is the Information Security Decisions conference, a
bi-annual meeting that draws 400 highly qualified IT security managers (with budgets to burn). The conference next meets Oct. 6-8 at the Chicago Hilton. Technology vendors and
executives can appear in various panels at the meeting as well as showcase their emerging technologies. The third asset is an online combination of infosecuritymag.com, and sister
site searchsecurity.com.
The sister site has three components: frequent Webcasts on different IT topics; six different e-mail newsletters on IT issues (ranging from 30,000 circulation to 100,000
circulation), with varying frequencies, and breaking news. In the Ask the Expert section, both independent experts and security vendor experts offer advice in response to members'
online questions.
Most reporters at the magazine prefer to be initially contacted by e-mail. (See contacts.) Allow two to three months for pitches to the print product while time is of the
essence online. The first and fourth weeks of the month are the best time to nail down reporters for a pitch. "The things that get annoying are pitches that too generic, like
computer viruses are a big problem," Briney adds. "We're looking for stories that give insight and go beyond the everyday on information security but at the same time are
practical and not just stories on products with a bunch of bells and whistles."
Information Security Contacts:
Andrew Briney
Editorial Director, TechTarget Security Media
[email protected]
Oversees integrated editorial operations of Information Security, SearchSecurity.com and the Information Security Decisions conference. Looks at security trends and strategies,
but most pitches should be routed to other editors.
Lawrence M. Walsh
Executive Editor, Information Security
[email protected]
Oversees editorial operations and serves as the primary gatekeeper for all requests for briefings. He directly manages columnists, and handles the Dispatches and People
features.
Anne Saita
Senior Editor, Information Security/News Director Security Media
[email protected]
Primary point-person for pitches on breaking news, current trends, vulnerabilities and solutions and security initiatives and projects.
Neil Roiter
Features Editor, Information Security
[email protected]
Oversees the development of all features, including Bakeoff, Exposes and Techknowledge features.
Suzanne Gaspar
Products Editor, Information Security
[email protected]
Coordinates the testing of generally available enterprise-class security solutions.
Crystal Ferraro
Editor, SearchSecurity.com
[email protected]
Manages SearchSecurity.com and is the point-person for all pitches that are not breaking news.