Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024 Speakers Bio
Tony Cusato
Tony is a blend of technologist, leader, and mentor with over 40 years at IBM, translating complex cybersecurity and technological frameworks into safe, effective business practices – has become a beacon of cybersecurity and technological excellence and innovation within the industry. Passionate about building trust and leading teams through emotional connectivity. Tony dedicates himself to harnessing a growth mindset and emotional & positive intelligence in driving impactful business results and outcomes. From providing cybersecurity solutions within IBM’s CISO execution arm to acting as the technical backbone for globally renowned events like the 1998 Winter and 2000 Summer Olympic games, his journey underscores a dedication to both meticulous technical implementation and fostering sustainable human relations. Tony also helped launch PS27 Ventures and is their Senior Technology & Security Advisor, where he propels entrepreneurs to scale their groundbreaking ideas, ensuring their technological and security strategies are not only robust but also foresightful. Tony also was the Acting CIO at the Open Invention Network in support of Open Source software. Tony is embedded with not just technical strategic aptitude, but also human-centric leadership.
Russ Gritzo
Russ Gritzo soldered his first computer together on his Mom’s kitchen table in the 1970’s. He still has that computer, along with a bunch more he can actually use. After a sojourn in the nuclear sciences, he spent the last 20 years focusing on cybersecurity, from developing cyber security programs to penetration testing government networks. Russ is currently a cybersecurity consultant focusing on the federal government. When he is not staring at a computer screen, he may be staring out the windscreen of a vintage airplane.
Talk Abstract
Most everyone wants to be good at what they do. Whether it is job satisfaction, mental well-being, climbing the career ladder, or just better pay, most people want to be successful. InfoSec is no different, but still, there are people who are really good at it and people who are – well – less good at it. So what is the difference between someone who is really good at their job and someone who can’t seem to get their career on track? In my experience, excelling at an InfoSec job is only 12.38% about technical skills. Ok, I made that number up. Still my observations over a 15+ year InfoSec career – and a 45+ year technical career overall – is that what makes someone successful is far more about the “soft skills”, like honesty, integrity, drive, self-improvement, and more. In this talk, I will go over what I have learned are the most important soft skills that make someone successful. I will talk about the core principles I have observed, illustrated by occasional anecdotes – sometimes funny, sometimes painful, but all with a point. While this focuses primarily on InfoSec, it can apply to any career you choose.
Contact: heisenbrg505@gmail.com