Speakers
Topics may include Cybersecurity Leadership, Digital Risk Management, Security Architecture, Cloud Security, and more. Confirmed speakers include:
Vice President, CISO
Lowe's
Marc Varner has more than 25 years of technology experience and expertise in global cybersecurity strategy, security architecture and process, information security governance and controls, and regulatory compliance. As vice president and chief information security officer at Lowe's, Varner is responsible for protecting the organization's information assets and technologies.
Senior Director DFIR & Threat Intelligence
GuidePoint Security
Tony Cook is the Senior Director responsible for DFIR & Threat Intelligence on GuidePoint Security’s consulting team, where he manages digital forensics, threat intelligence and incident response engagements on behalf of the firm’s clients. His career background includes high-level national security activities in cybersecurity operations for several clients over various verticals. Tony has also managed forensics and incident response at the U.S. Joint Forces Command and has worked as a security engineer for Raytheon at NASA’s Langley Research Center.
Global Chief Information Security Officer
Check Point Software Technologies
Cindi Carter is a global, multi-industry Cybersecurity and Information Technology Executive who consistently delivers the optimal outcome. As a transformational leader from startups to enterprises she excels at building cybersecurity practices in highly regulated industries, turning strategic goals into action, and highly collaborative engagement to lead the organization in managing cyber risk.
At Check Point Software Technologies, Cindi is a Global Chief Information Security Officer in the Office of the CISO, leading Check Point’s Healthcare Center of Excellence where human safety is essential to care. With over two decades in the healthcare and financial industries, Cindi’s purpose is deeply rooted in human safety, bringing together the capabilities that protect the security and privacy of each individual.
Executive Vice President and CISO
Truist Financial Corporation
Sean Croston is Executive Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer for Truist Financial Corporation. He oversees cybersecurity strategies and execution protocols that defend Truist clients and teammates. With more than twenty-five years of financial services experience, he previously served as the CISO for BNP Paribas USA, a French multinational universal bank and financial services holding company. In addition, he was the CISO for Spanish multinational bank Santander USA and transformed Santander Mexico Bank’s cybersecurity operations. Sean has also held positions at the Federal Reserve Bank as a Supervising Examiner, State Street Bank and Trust Company as a Managing Director, and JPMorgan Chase as an Executive Director. Sean is a published author who jointly holds a U.S. security patent in digital interoperability.
As CISO, he has oversight responsibility for seven verticals at Truist: BISO Organization, Office of the CISO, Identity and Access Management, Security Operations, Security Protection, Security Technology, and Security Delivery.
Senior Threat Intelligence Consultant
GuidePoint Security
Grayson North is a Senior Threat Intelligence Consultant for GuidePoint’s Research and Intelligence Team, where he engages in ecrime research, intelligence analysis, and incident response functions on behalf of the firm’s clients. His career background includes systems
administration and cybersecurity operations experience while working as an individual contributor for a Fortune 500 company and as a consultant for a multitude of clients. Grayson holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Appalachian State University with a minor in Mathematics.
Technical Content Creator
GuidePoint Security
Austin Simpson is the Technical Content Creator for GuidePoint Security University, developing training programs and learning paths for the GuidePoint team. Bringing experience from a previous career in education administration, he collaborates with other departments within GPS to identify skills and tools needed for upskilling and development. Austin completed his internship with GuidePoint Security University before staying on to help build the program and assist intern success. He received his bachelors at the University of South Florida and completed his cybersecurity program with the University of Central Florida.
Cyber Security Evangelist
Check Point Software Technologies
Aaron Rose is a cyber security evangelist, security architect and member of the Office of the CTO at Check Point Software Technologies. A subject matter expert in cloud, internet of things, and application security, Rose has focused his career on securing organizations and their resources beyond the perimeter of the traditional network firewall.
Speaking Roles
We are recruiting additional speakers for Cyber Summit 2024. If you are interested in speaking, please email Samantha Williams, williamsse11@appstate.edu.
