Overview

March 11

Higher education institutions are under constant pressure to protect sensitive data and ensure continuity—whether it's from a natural disaster, cyberattack, or a breach involving a third-party vendor. But here's the truth: your traditional disaster recovery plan might not be enough in the face of a cyber event. So, how do you assess and address these risks before they escalate?

Join the Center for Digital Education and Commvault for a webinar featuring a panel of cybersecurity experts who will share insights on how to rethink your approach to risk management and disaster recovery, and why building a strategy focused on cyber resilience is essential in today’s higher ed landscape.

In this session, you'll learn:

How to Assess Your Risk: Gain practical frameworks for evaluating your institution's current security posture and uncover key areas for improvement.
Practical Steps for Strengthening Your Cyber Strategy: Learn how to prepare for a cyberattack and differentiate between disaster recovery and cyber resilience—ensuring your institution is ready to respond swiftly and effectively.
Best Practices for Planning for the Unexpected: Whether it’s a breach involving a third-party vendor or an internal security failure, your reputation and compliance are always at risk. Discover how to implement strong incident management practices to protect your brand and avoid costly PR fallout.

Speakers

Dean Dang

Director, Enterprise Applications and Services, University of Illinois Chicago

Dean Dang serves as the Director of the Enterprise Applications and Services team at UIC’s Technology Solutions. Dean oversees information technology operations and ensures smooth delivery and operation of IT services by monitoring system health and performance. By developing strategy as it relates to UIC’s IT applications and services, he can ensure the processes and standards for selection, implementation, and support of systems are of the highest standards. Dean earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from UIC and his Masters’s in Management Information Systems from UIS in 2022. In 2020, Dean was a recipient of UIC’s Award of Merit.

Esteban Perez

Director, Information Security, University of Illinois Chicago

As Director of Information Security, Esteban is responsible for overseeing the information security team activities of monitoring, assessing, and responding to security events, as well as security service delivery, and compliance activities. Esteban is focused on delivering IT-enabled value by investing in relationships and fostering collaboration and open dialogue. Esteban has earned a master’s degree in Management of Information Systems from the University of Illinois at Springfield along with graduate certificates in Cyber Security Administration, Cyber Security Management, IT Project Management, Business Process Management, and Business Analytics. In 2018 Esteban was a recipient of the UIC’s Award of Merit. Esteban also holds an Ethical Leadership certification from the NASBA Center for the Public Trust and is an alumni of the MOR IT Leadership Program.

Christopher Montgomery

Field Chief Technology Officer, Commvault

Christopher Montgomery is a nationally recognized cybersecurity strategist with over 30 years of technology leadership, including roles as CIO, CTO, and CISO. He began his tech career in the U.S. Air Force, where he developed a disciplined, strategic approach that continues to guide his work today. Chris has deep expertise in cybersecurity, risk management, digital transformation, and organizational change management. He advises boards, leadership teams, and policymakers in both public and private sectors, helping organizations enhance their cyber resilience while fostering innovation. Beyond his industry work, Chris serves on advisory boards for multiple universities, shaping cybersecurity curricula to prepare the next generation of technology leaders. He is passionate about leveraging technology to improve customer experiences, empower employees, and drive operational efficiency in today’s dynamic digital landscape.

Brian Cohen — Moderator

Vice President, Center for Digital Education

Brian Cohen is the Vice President of the Center for Digital Education. Prior to joining the Center, Brian served for 30 years in IT leadership roles with the City of New York and most recently with the City University of New York (CUNY).

Webinar

How to Assess Risk and Build Cyber Resilience in Higher Ed