Think Tank
The Future of IT & Cybersecurity

CIO & CISO Think Tank

Date

May 21, 2024

Location

Atlanta, GA

Community

CIO / CISO
Your Vision is our mission

Agenda

May 21, 2024
All times Eastern Time
8:30 AM-9:00 AM
Registration
9:00 AM-9:45 AM
Morning Networking
9:45 AM-9:55 AM
Opening Remarks
9:55 AM-10:40 AM
Keynote Panel
CIO CISO Mastery: The Nexus of Seamless Business-Technology Harmony

In 2024, CISOs and CIOs take center stage in fostering harmony between business and technology, balancing discipline and ownership. This session emphasizes their pivotal role, introducing 'Gen AI' as a crucial topic. Gen AI explores securing AI-driven technologies responsibly and ethically. Recognizing technology as a key enabler, CISOs navigate the evolving landscape, ensuring the integrity of data, driving innovation, and challenging traditional business models. Join us to explore the multifaceted responsibilities of CISOs, shaping a secure, agile, and ethically-driven future for organizations in the dynamic landscape of 2024.

Navigating the evolving landscape between business and technology demands a strategic blend of discipline and equilibrium. Recognizing that, for many organizations, technology is the business itself, this session underscores the imperative of understanding technology as a critical enabler across all facets of the organization. From the front lines to the back office, technology serves as a potent tool for creating value by processing data, driving innovation, and challenging traditional business models.

10:45 AM-11:05 AM
Coffee Break
11:05 AM-11:40 AM
Fireside Chat
Level Up Workplace Productivity in the Age of Information Overload

With business running at the speed of digital, most knowledge workers are suffering from information overload. Workplace leaders must keep pace with an evolving technology landscape to deliver a productivity infrastructure that provides great employee experience and impacts the bottom line.

Join this session to get insights on the trends transforming the modern workplace, from automation to the role of Generative AI in shaping the next frontier and learn how emerging tools can help businesses transform digital experiences.

Chair
Michael Owens U.S. Global Center Cyber Policy
Mayor Michael Owens

CEO / CISO

U.S. Global Center Cyber Policy

Dr. Michael Owens is an innovative, collaborative, and distinguished leader with over 25 years of experience in startup, corporate, government, and military organizations. A transformation leader and sought-after speaker, Michael frequently keynotes on topics related to cybersecurity, cyberwarfare, and national security matters. As a cybersecurity executive, he has been at the vanguard of some of the most complex issues dealing with breach mitigation/recovery, threat intelligence sharing, and diversity within the tech and cyber industry. Michael is the president and CEO of the U.S. Global Center of Cyber Policy, where he leads the organization in providing federal, state, and local governments with non-partisan thought leadership and expert information and analysis on cybersecurity, cybercrime, and cyberwarfare trends, strategies, and policies from a domestic and international perspective. Prior to this, Michael led the Global Cybersecurity, Cybercrime, and Critical Infrastructure Program for EY within the Forensics, Investigations & Dispute division. In that role, he was responsible for the global strategic direction and standardization of threat intelligence, cybersecurity assessments, audits, and incident response services. Before this, Michael worked at Cisco Systems leading the Advanced Services, Public Sector service delivery team. During this time, he led cybersecurity, wired and wireless networks, and IT strategy engagements for government agencies in the U.S. southeast across and New York. Michael has extensive international and geopolitical experience with projects completed in over 100 countries. As an entrepreneur, Michael pioneered the practice of SMB MSP and fractional CIO/CISO services. Michael is an eight-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a current member of the US Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary. He is a member of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta, a Political Partner with the Truman National Security Project, and serves on the State Advisory Committee for the US Global Leadership Coalition, the Evanta/Gartner Atlanta CISO Governing Body, and the Leadership Board of the Cybersecurity Collaboration Forum. Michael's educational background includes a bachelor’s from North Carolina A&T State University, a master’s degree from Georgia Institute of Technology, a doctorate from California Intercontinental University, and advanced certificates and executive programs from the U.S. Army War College and Harvard University. He resides in Mableton, Georgia with his two children.
Panelists
Gregory Williams Adobe
Gregory Williams

Director, Document Cloud Products

Adobe

Together with:

Adobe
11:45 AM-12:30 PM
Panel
Navigating the Cyber Frontier: CISO Strategies for Effective Risk Management

In the context of effective cyber risk management, the challenge lies in keeping up with evolving technology, particularly during cloud or technology transformations. The adoption of threat intelligence,GenAI, the metaverse, and machine learning presents both opportunities and challenges, with a need for technology leaders to grasp the security implications. While these technologies enhance cyber risk management, they also offer efficiencies through task automation. Striking a balance between risks and rewards is crucial for gaining trust and staying competitive. Looking forward, organizations must explore innovative approaches to cyber risk management, emphasizing resilience against third-party risks. Collaboration with the leadership team is essential to take an enterprise-wide view of current and future threats, develop action plans, safeguard critical assets, and facilitate quick recovery. Early collaboration with the executive team is encouraged to integrate risk management into transformation strategies and extract maximum benefits from emerging technologies.

Chair
Sallie Wright InfoTech
Sallie Wright

CIO

InfoTech

Sallie Fulsom Wright, BS, MA, CISSP, has 30+ years of experience in information technology executive leadership serving in the capacity of CIO, Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Assistant Vice President and Deputy CIO, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Information Security and Chief Information Security Officer. She has worked for 4 tier-1 Research institutes including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Oklahoma State University and Georgia State University. She has worked for a total of 9 institutions of higher education and has taught computer science courses for many of them. Currently, she is teaching Cyber Security Classes for Emory University’s partnership with the Georgia Women in Technology Program. Sallie is currently a CIO & Executive Counselor for Info Tech Research Group working with CIOs, CISOs and other Executives to move their organizations to the next level of excellence. Prior to joining Info Tech, she spent 3 years as the CIO for Fulton County Government in Atlanta, Georgia focusing on digital transformation, modernization, strategic planning, and organizational redesign. Ms. Wright was selected in 2018 as a top finalist in the InspireCIO Georgia CIO of the Year Award. In 2014 she was a top five finalist for the Technology Association of Georgia’s (TAG) Diversity Leadership Awards. She was also a top five finalist for 2013 and 2014 TAG Excellence in Leadership Award. In August 2015, she was inducted into the PinkTech Hall of Fame. She is a speaker and moderator at local, regional, and national technology conferences. She serves as a mentor to students in the Georgia State University Robinson School of Business MBA program and other programs. She serves on the Georgia Public Defense Foundation Board, the Inspiredu Board, the Atlanta Technology Professionals Board, the SIM Atlanta Board, the Vendorship Board, the Georgia Prosecutors Foundation and served for 10 years on the Technology Association of Georgia’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board. Ms. Wright built information security organizations for Oklahoma State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and UAB. She worked for the Renaissance Computing Institute in the role of Director of Research Engagement where she participated in the development of multi-disciplinary grants for UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University, and North Carolina State University. She has led many enterprise projects for UAB including PCI Compliance and Web Presence. In addition, she co-founded the Southeast Region Higher Education Security Consortium. She was a founding member of the EDUCAUSE Higher Education Information Security Council for 10 years and served on the Southeast University Research Association (SURA), SANS Advisory Board and the CISO Executive Board. She is also a Certified Executive Coach.
12:35 PM-12:50 PM
Disruptor
Cloud Security

The speed, flexibility, and scale of cloud computing has fundamentally transformed business operations and competitive dynamics. As organizations accelerate innovation, an overwhelming majority of IT executives regularly cite security as the #1 challenge when operating in the cloud. With adversaries increasingly targeting cloud services with both opportunistic and targeted attacks, how can security leaders devise a multi-cloud security strategy that not only works with the business to enable agility but also protects vital corporate secrets and customer data? 

Panelists
Chris Boehm SentinelOne
Chris Boehm

Global Field CISO

SentinelOne

Together with:

SentinelOne
12:50 PM-2:00 PM
Lunch & Networking
2:00 PM-2:45 PM
Panel
Embracing Innovation: Best-of-Breed Emerging Technologies from Silicon Valley ... and Beyond!

This panel discussion will take you on a journey through the forefront of technological innovation, featuring three visionary solutions poised to revolutionize the digital landscape. These pioneering solutions address pressing challenges faced by organizations worldwide, ranging from permissions management to troubleshooting live applications and system observability.

In today's dynamic digital landscape, managing permissions effectively poses a significant challenge for organizations. However, a pioneering solution emerges to address these pressing concerns by automating permissions management based on risk and usage patterns, ensuring alignment with business needs while minimizing security risks. Moreover, a revolutionary toolset empowers developers and SREs to troubleshoot live applications swiftly and efficiently, slashing mean time to resolution and delivering substantial cost savings. Dive deeper into how these groundbreaking approaches drive productivity gains and cost efficiencies for organizations worldwide.

Together with:

Gtm Capital
2:50 PM-3:25 PM
Fireside Chat
Strategic Shifts: Unlocking Innovation in the Cloud and Reimagining Engineering Talent Deployment and Management in the Age of AI (GenAI)


Unlock insights into the evolving landscape of talent deployment and retention as board expectations drive CIOs and CISOs to rethink traditional IT talent models. Explore the impact of GenAI on coding processes and the software engineering lifecycle, and discover strategies for optimizing talent allocation and headcounts. Gain actionable insights into defining new roles, cultivating essential skills, and charting GenAI-centric career paths to align with organizational goals and stay ahead in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

This session will explore the convergence of cloud computing and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technologies, offering technology executives insights into the transformative potential of this synergistic relationship. From accelerating innovation and enhancing productivity to enabling personalized experiences and driving competitive advantage, GenAI-powered solutions in the cloud are reshaping industries and revolutionizing business operations.

Chair
Michael Owens U.S. Global Center Cyber Policy
Mayor Michael Owens

CEO / CISO

U.S. Global Center Cyber Policy

Dr. Michael Owens is an innovative, collaborative, and distinguished leader with over 25 years of experience in startup, corporate, government, and military organizations. A transformation leader and sought-after speaker, Michael frequently keynotes on topics related to cybersecurity, cyberwarfare, and national security matters. As a cybersecurity executive, he has been at the vanguard of some of the most complex issues dealing with breach mitigation/recovery, threat intelligence sharing, and diversity within the tech and cyber industry. Michael is the president and CEO of the U.S. Global Center of Cyber Policy, where he leads the organization in providing federal, state, and local governments with non-partisan thought leadership and expert information and analysis on cybersecurity, cybercrime, and cyberwarfare trends, strategies, and policies from a domestic and international perspective. Prior to this, Michael led the Global Cybersecurity, Cybercrime, and Critical Infrastructure Program for EY within the Forensics, Investigations & Dispute division. In that role, he was responsible for the global strategic direction and standardization of threat intelligence, cybersecurity assessments, audits, and incident response services. Before this, Michael worked at Cisco Systems leading the Advanced Services, Public Sector service delivery team. During this time, he led cybersecurity, wired and wireless networks, and IT strategy engagements for government agencies in the U.S. southeast across and New York. Michael has extensive international and geopolitical experience with projects completed in over 100 countries. As an entrepreneur, Michael pioneered the practice of SMB MSP and fractional CIO/CISO services. Michael is an eight-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a current member of the US Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary. He is a member of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta, a Political Partner with the Truman National Security Project, and serves on the State Advisory Committee for the US Global Leadership Coalition, the Evanta/Gartner Atlanta CISO Governing Body, and the Leadership Board of the Cybersecurity Collaboration Forum. Michael's educational background includes a bachelor’s from North Carolina A&T State University, a master’s degree from Georgia Institute of Technology, a doctorate from California Intercontinental University, and advanced certificates and executive programs from the U.S. Army War College and Harvard University. He resides in Mableton, Georgia with his two children.
Panelists
Sulabh Sood Lumen Technologies

Speaker

Sulabh Sood

VP

Lumen Technologies

Sulabh Sood is currently working as Vice President at Lumen Technologies. He has been tasked to build the execution engine for global technology, IT, engineering, and product organizations. He is leading an organization to manage and direct Program Management, Business Operations, Program governance & prioritization, Budget management, IT Operations, IT Compliance, IT Vendor Management, Strategic outsourcing, and Agile Transformation Office. Before joining Lumen, Sulabh worked in global companies such as GE, Atos and in pre-IPO startups. Sulabh is an accomplished technology leader with diverse experience in digital transformation, cloud implementation, DevOps, GTM strategy, operations, and product & program management. He has led org-wide transformation by partnering with functions such as engineering, product management, customer success, commercial, marketing, finance, and HR. Sulabh firmly believes in establishing a culture of trust, customer obsession, learning, excellence, and holistic people development through inclusion. Sulabh started his career as a Software Engineer after completing Engineering in Computer Science. He gained valuable leadership experience while working with startup CEOs and VCs during his education at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in New Delhi. He is also an alumnus of GE leadership programs. Sulabh has performed leadership advisory to the C-suite including the board of directors and has been a speaker at multiple leadership conferences. As a contribution back to his alma mater, he serves as Vice President for PAN IIT Alumni USA, Atlanta chapter.
Chandan Singh Webster Bank
Chandan Singh

Chief Architect & Head of AI

Webster Bank

3:30 PM-3:50 PM
Networking Break
3:50 PM-4:35 PM
Fireside Chat
Gen AI - The Hype, The Story & Cybersecurity

GenAI, a revolutionary innovation in the world of artificial intelligence, has garnered immense attention and hype in recent years. Its story is one of rapid evolution and limitless potential, as it promises to transform industries, enhance decision-making processes, and revolutionize the way we interact with technology. However, amid the excitement, the role of cybersecurity becomes paramount. With GenAI's ever-expanding capabilities, the need for robust cybersecurity measures is essential to safeguard against potential risks and vulnerabilities. As we continue to unlock the possibilities of GenAI, the fusion of its incredible power with stringent cybersecurity practices will be the key to a safer and more promising future.

Chair
Sallie Wright InfoTech
Sallie Wright

CIO

InfoTech

Sallie Fulsom Wright, BS, MA, CISSP, has 30+ years of experience in information technology executive leadership serving in the capacity of CIO, Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Assistant Vice President and Deputy CIO, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Information Security and Chief Information Security Officer. She has worked for 4 tier-1 Research institutes including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Oklahoma State University and Georgia State University. She has worked for a total of 9 institutions of higher education and has taught computer science courses for many of them. Currently, she is teaching Cyber Security Classes for Emory University’s partnership with the Georgia Women in Technology Program. Sallie is currently a CIO & Executive Counselor for Info Tech Research Group working with CIOs, CISOs and other Executives to move their organizations to the next level of excellence. Prior to joining Info Tech, she spent 3 years as the CIO for Fulton County Government in Atlanta, Georgia focusing on digital transformation, modernization, strategic planning, and organizational redesign. Ms. Wright was selected in 2018 as a top finalist in the InspireCIO Georgia CIO of the Year Award. In 2014 she was a top five finalist for the Technology Association of Georgia’s (TAG) Diversity Leadership Awards. She was also a top five finalist for 2013 and 2014 TAG Excellence in Leadership Award. In August 2015, she was inducted into the PinkTech Hall of Fame. She is a speaker and moderator at local, regional, and national technology conferences. She serves as a mentor to students in the Georgia State University Robinson School of Business MBA program and other programs. She serves on the Georgia Public Defense Foundation Board, the Inspiredu Board, the Atlanta Technology Professionals Board, the SIM Atlanta Board, the Vendorship Board, the Georgia Prosecutors Foundation and served for 10 years on the Technology Association of Georgia’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board. Ms. Wright built information security organizations for Oklahoma State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and UAB. She worked for the Renaissance Computing Institute in the role of Director of Research Engagement where she participated in the development of multi-disciplinary grants for UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University, and North Carolina State University. She has led many enterprise projects for UAB including PCI Compliance and Web Presence. In addition, she co-founded the Southeast Region Higher Education Security Consortium. She was a founding member of the EDUCAUSE Higher Education Information Security Council for 10 years and served on the Southeast University Research Association (SURA), SANS Advisory Board and the CISO Executive Board. She is also a Certified Executive Coach.
4:35 PM-4:45 PM
Closing Remarks & Raffle Giveaway
4:45 PM-5:30 PM
Cocktail Networking
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