The cybersecurity landscape is being disrupted in a historic way – with much of the workforce going remote overnight, a dramatic rise in ransomware & the development of new technologies tasked with flattening the curve, it’s become all the more crucial for businesses to remain vigilant in their approach to security. Our upcoming virtual assembly offers just that – leaders have the opportunity to brainstorm, collaborate & network in a 2-day high-level think tank for C-Suite executives from leading organizations.
In these high-pressure times, no one is better equipped to speak on the evolving cybersecurity landscape than our Featured Keynote Speaker, Robert Bigman, Consultant & Former CISO for the Central Intelligence Agency. At our Transformational CISO Assembly, Robert Bigman will share what he’s learned from performing 60-odd assessments of both public and private organizations, and provide insights so executives can avoid the same mistakes. For a taste of what to expect at the assembly, check out our brief Q/A with him below! Go Here to RSVP for the Virtual Assembly.
Q: Q1 in the US saw a 61% increase in cyber attacks – what lessons can be learned from this moving forward for prevention?
RB: Two. First, we have a bigger cyber security issue than simply trying to defend against evolving attacks. We have very vulnerable software, systems and networks and we need regulation to change the course of cyber risk. Second, cyber security intelligence and threat sharing is not working as malware payloads are changing faster than we can identify the threat.
Q: Having spent 30 years with the CIA, how do you feel the threat landscape has changed since your time there?
RB: The biggest change in the threat landscape has become the ability of criminal cyber gangs to obtain and develop very sophisticated malware code, delivery and installation tools and command and control communications. Second, is the ability of hackers to obtain access and use capabilities already available on the system (e.g., Powershell) to obtain credentials and steal data.
Q: We are thrilled to have you as our Transformational CISO Virtual Assembly Keynote Speaker. Can you give us a preview about the message you want to convey to our audience in terms of cyber assessment?
RB: That after 60 odd assessments and reviews, there are a number of common mistakes that almost every organization makes (both programmatic and technical) that interfere with their ability to defend their systems and protect their data.
About Robert Bigman
Robert Bigman retired from Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), after serving a thirty year distinguished career. Recognized as a pioneer in the field of classified information protection, Mr. Bigman developed technical measures and procedures to manage the nation’s most sensitive secrets. As an information security trailblazer, Mr. Bigman participated in developing security measures for Government computers well before commercial industry found the Internet. He then developed creative solutions to allow the CIA to use the Internet to further its mission without exposure.
With twenty-five years of experience, Mr. Bigman worked in every area of information and data security, the last fifteen years as the Agency’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). As the Agency CISO, Mr. Bigman managed a large organization of technical and program officers responsible for the protection of all Agency information. As the CISO, his responsibilities included cryptography, information security policy/processes, standards and requirements, testing and network defense/response. Mr. Bigman also served as the Agency’s designated officer for all discussions with the information security industry and its commercial partners. Mr. Bigman has contributed to almost every Intelligence Community information security policy/technical standard and has provided numerous briefings to the National Security Council, Congress and presidential commissions.
Mr. Bigman’s earlier assignments at the CIA included participation in the technical design of the Intelligence Community’s first counterterrorism database and delivery of the Agency’s first secure TCP/IP local and wide area network for the Counterintelligence Center. In recognition of his expertise and contributions, Mr. Bigman has received numerous CIA and Director of National Intelligence awards.
