SOUTHEAST REGIONAL CISO POLICY ROUNDTABLE

February 16, 2022

The National Technology Security Coalition’s is delighted to host the Southeast Regional in Atlanta, GA on February 16th at the prestigious Buckhead Club. CISO Policy Roundtable brings together senior technology security executives in an exclusive setting to talk about trends in national cybersecurity policy.

The Cyber Workforce, Challenges, and Opportunities

Dr. Joye Purser, Region 4 Director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

Our opening session will focus on the face of growing threats to our nation’s critical infrastructure from hackers and other malicious actors, which is pushing the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals to all-time high. With an estimated 70,000 open positions for cybersecurity professionals in just the southeastern U.S. alone, is the talent pipeline into the industry able to keep up with the growing demand in both the public and private sectors? Underrepresented groups within the profession, such as people of color and women, could significantly help address this critical shortage. Currently, women make up roughly a quarter of the total cybersecurity workforce, while only 3% of the professionals in the industry are African American. With a growing demand and the looming threat of brain drain caused by mass retirements, the public and private sector must work harder to develop a more diverse cybersecurity workforce by tapping into these underutilized talent pools before it’s too late.

Join Dr. Joye Purser, Region 4 Director for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) as she discusses the state of the cybersecurity talent pipeline for both the public and private sectors and delves deeper into the benefits of improving diversity in the IT workforce with her colleagues Stanton Gatewood, CISA Cybersecurity State Coordinator for Georgia, and the Cassandra Dacus, President of the Atlanta chapter of Cyversity. This discussion of the future of the information security workforce will include eye-opening data on the lack of diversity in the workforce and an exchange of ideas to chart a path forward toward change.

Dr. Purser will also highlight CISA priorities in the Southeast, a busy, eight-state region with national critical infrastructure, particularly in the financial, communications, and transportation sectors.

Cybersecurity at the Board Level

Lucia Milică, VP and Global Resident CISO, Proofpoint

Recent events, including SolarWinds, Colonial Pipeline, and Log4J have served to elevate the role of the CISO, which was once perceived as a purely technical discipline. Today, however, we have come to realize the importance of the CISO in driving and enabling business strategy. The CISO now has a leadership voice and must use it to instill confidence at the highest levels of the organization and as the foremost executive on the front lines against the threat of systemic risk. With the stakes this high, CISOs must use their increasing influence in the boardroom to ensure the C-suite is aware of the potential impact of systemic cyber risk, the areas of the organization most vulnerable to it, and the tools and resources required to protect against it.

Join Lucia Milică, VP and Global Resident CISO at Proofpoint as she discusses how it is now up to the CISO to communicate the importance of a deep and broad cybersecurity defense in the boardroom and the consequences of failing to do so. The elevated role of the CISO may invite greater pressure. But it also means there's never been a better time to make the business case for greater investment in cybersecurity. Lucia will be joined by Kristin Cornish, Director of Global Cybersecurity Risk at The Coca Cola Company, Deborah Wheeler, CISO at Delta Airlines, and Kelly Bissell, Global Cybersecurity Lead at Accenture.

Agenda

1:30 p.m. - Welcome & Introductions: Tim Callahan, Global CISO, Aflac

1:40 p.m. - The Cyber Workforce, Challenges, and Opportunites: Dr. Joye Purser, Region 4 Director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

3:00 p.m. - Intermission

3:30 p.m. - Cybersecurity at the Board Level: Lucia Milică, VP and Global Resident CISO, Proofpoint

5:00 p.m. - Closing Remarks: Patrick Gaul, Executive Director, NTSC

5:15p.m. - Reception and VIP Dinner

Interested in attending?

An invitation-only event for CISOs and senior cybersecurity policy stakeholders, the NTSC Southeast Regional CISO Policy Roundtable serves as part of our mission to provide a platform for CISOs to discuss and advocate for beneficial legislative and regulatory cybersecurity policies.

If you are a CISO or senior technology security executive interested in attending, please do not hesitate to reach out to Patrick Gaul (patrick@ntsc.org) for more details.

There is no cost to attend.