Overview

November 22

Everyone knows technology alone cannot keep organizations safe in the face of a cybersecurity attack. Human risk and human error still represent the biggest security gap for state and local governments.

And it’s getting harder and harder to close that gap. Adversaries have grown increasingly sophisticated in their efforts to exploit users in phishing attacks. Social media and other technologies provide a wealth of publicly available information on individuals – information that can be turned into an opening for a cyberattack. And the disruptions of the pandemic and the continued hybrid work environment have exponentially increased the human risk factor.

To help state and local government IT leaders develop better strategies for confronting the human factor in their cybersecurity plans, Government Technology and the Center for Digital Government are offering this virtual discussion, part of an ongoing series focused on improving cyber resilience in the public sector.

This conversation, November 22 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET, will discuss the challenges of confronting the human factor – and best strategies for addressing this crucial security gap. The discussion will explore how the human risk factor is increasing, what the new approaches are, where training needs to go and how to keep up.

Speakers

Michael T. Geraghty

Chief Information Security Officer - State of New Jersey and Director of the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC)

Director Geraghty is responsible for the development and execution of the State’s cybersecurity strategy. He is responsible for leading and coordinating New Jersey’s cybersecurity efforts while building resiliency throughout the State and has direct responsibility for all aspects of statewide cybersecurity operations; governance, risk and compliance; and incident response. Mr. Geraghty is an accomplished cybersecurity executive with a history of building innovative and model programs in private and public sector enterprises including roles as CISO of the Hudson’s Bay Company, Chief Information Officer of the National and International Centers for Missing and Exploited Children, Vice President of High Technology Investigations at Prudential Financial, and Network Intrusion Detection Manager, Lucent Technologies/Bell Labs. Mr. Geraghty began his career with the New Jersey State Police, where he served 12 years and led the formation and development of its High Technology Crimes Investigations Unit.

Peter Miller

Chief Security Officer, Orange County Government, Orlando, FL

Peter Miller is the Chief Security Officer for Orange County Government in Orlando, Florida and has spent over 25 years in the public sector working to secure numerous government agencies. He has also worked extensively as an international consultant for organizations including the United Nations, The World Bank, various governments and law enforcement agencies. Mr. Miller holds a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity from Seminole State College and a Master of Science in Modeling and Simulation of Behavioral Cybersecurity from the University of Central Florida. He is currently pursuing doctorate work in Cybersecurity.

Phil Bertolini — Moderator

Vice President, Center for Digital Government

Phil Bertolini is the Vice President of the Center for Digital Government (CDG), a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. Previously, he served as deputy county executive and CIO for Oakland County, Michigan. During his 31-year tenure, Phil built a world-class IT organization in the second-largest county in Michigan, just north of Detroit. As Oakland County CIO, he oversaw more than 150 employees serving over 1.2 million residents. In 2005, he was also promoted to deputy county executive, holding dual positions until his retirement. Phil’s efforts earned the county national attention, winning numerous awards for technology innovation and excellence. He was named one of Governing Magazine’s Public Official of the Year and Government Technology Magazine’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers. He was also honored by the President Obama White House as a Champion of Change for 2012.

Webinar

Securing America's Digital Infrastructure - Confronting the Human Factor