SecureWorld Government & Education Virtual Conference 2025

Joel Burleson-Davis is the Chief Technology Officer at Imprivata where he’s responsible for building, delivering, and evolving the suite of Imprivata’s cybersecurity products that include Privileged Access Management, Privacy Monitoring, and Identity Governance solutions.

Prior to joining Imprivata, Joel was CTO at SecureLink, the leader in critical access management for organizations in need of advanced solutions to secure access to their most valuable assets, including networks, systems, and data. While at SecureLink, Joel was responsible for the overall technology and operational strategy and execution including direction and oversight for Product Development, Quality Assurance, IT and Cybersecurity Operations, Compliance, and Customer Success.

Before SecureLink, Joel held Systems Engineering, IT Consulting, and Instructor positions while serving as one of the founding members of The Linux Foundation certification committee, a global committee of key Linux subject matter experts. Joel earned a Master of Liberal Arts degree in Systems Theory and Technology from St. Edward’s University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies from Texas Lutheran University.

Fun Facts: When he’s not helping customers, Joel likes to cook. In particular, he’s a bread enthusiast, from babka and brioche to Detroit-style pizza to rustic sourdough. He also enjoys adventuring with his wife, two daughters, and their bulldog.

Cameron Malin, JD, CISSP, is the founder of Modus Cyberandi, a bespoke Cyber Behavioral Profiling consultancy specializing in the assessment of cyber threat actor decision making, adversary tradecraft, cyber deception, and cognitive vulnerabilities. As a retired Behavioral Profiler with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), he has more than 22 years of experience investigating, analyzing, and profiling cyber adversaries across the spectrum of criminal to national security attacks.

During his tenure in the FBI, he was the founder of both the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit's (BAU) Cyber Behavioral Analysis Center (CBAC), the FBI BAU's methodology and application of science-based behavioral profiling and assessment to national security and criminal cyber offenders—and the BAU’s Deception and Influence Group (DIG), a uniquely trained and experienced cadre of Behavioral Profilers specialized in analyses and countermeasures to adversary cyber deception campaigns and influence operations.

He is a co-author of the authoritative cyber deception book, "Deception in the Digital Age: Exploiting and Defending Human Targets Through Computer-Mediated Communications" (published by Academic Press, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc.), and co-author of the Malware Forensics book series: "Malware Forensics: Investigating and Analyzing Malicious Code," "Malware Forensics Field Guide for Windows Systems," and "Malware
Forensics Field Guide for Linux Systems" (all published by Syngress, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc.).

Enida Metaj is an award-winning cybersecurity leader with more than 14 years of experience across cybersecurity, IT, and finance. She currently serves as Cyber Compliance Lead Auditor for Rockwell Automation, a Fortune 500 company operating within the nation’s critical infrastructure. She was named a “40 Under 40” award recipient by Oakland County Government, in recognition of her exceptional leadership, innovation, and community service, highlighting her contributions to driving positive change locally and beyond.

Enida holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and a master’s in public administration, combining legal and policy expertise with technical acumen. She has further specialized in cybersecurity through a master’s certificate in Enterprise Cybersecurity Leadership, a Certificate in Exercising Leadership from HarvardX, and professional certifications in ISO standards and artificial intelligence. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), demonstrating expertise in information security governance, risk management, and incident response.

A respected thought leader, she has served as a judge for high-impact industry events including the 2024 SC Media Cybersecurity Awards and the CyberShark Pitch Competition, recognizing excellence and innovation across the cybersecurity landscape. Beyond her professional achievements, she is deeply committed to giving back—volunteering as a mentor to women in cybersecurity and actively empowering the next generation of leaders. As the Employment Director for ISSA Motor City, she leads initiatives focused on job placement within the information security community, building strong partnerships with employers to create sustainable employment pathways for members. Through strategic planning and hands-on support, she aligns candidates with opportunities that fit their skills, career goals, and long-term growth potential.

This dedication is further reflected in her role as a NICE | NIST Cybersecurity Career Ambassador, helping to advance national efforts in cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development.

Chris Montgomery is a Solutions Architect at Proofpoint where he is responsible for the implementation and integration of all threat intelligence and intrusion detection solutions. In this role, he can be found consulting with security practitioners and OEM suppliers focused on utilizing threat intelligence to improve cyber security situational awareness and the overall risk posture of an organization. Chris is a CISSP and holds several other industry certifications.

Ryan Witt is a recognized Healthcare Cyber Security Executive and a regular speaker at HIMSS, CHIME, AEHIS, etc. Currently, Ryan is Proofpoint's VP, Industry Solutions and responsible for the strategy and solutions for the company's healthcare and public sector business. Ryan is also the Chair of Proofpoint's Healthcare Advisory Board and an appointed member of HIMSS Cybersecurity, Privacy and Security Committee. Previously, Ryan was the healthcare leader for Fortinet and Juniper Networks where he also was the Chair for their respective Healthcare Customer Advisory Boards. Ryan was a contributor to the 2013 WEDI Report, a former Co-Chair of WEDI's Privacy & Security Workgroup and has been elected to the WEDI Board of Directors. Ryan was also elected to the Association for Executives in Health Information Security (AEHIS) Advisory Board. A graduate of San Jose State University, Ryan has spent much of his professional life in Europe, but he and his family now live in Silicon Valley.

Dr. Eric Cole, DPS is a cybersecurity expert, entrepreneur, public figure, and best-selling author. Dr. Cole has built a solid reputation in the cybersecurity industry over the last three decades. His career has advanced from starting as a professional hacker for the CIA to becoming the 44th President's com-missioner on cyber security to currently advising companies and teaching professionals on how to implement security measures that serve as a business enabler. His accomplishments have earned him an in-duction into the Information Security Hall of Fame and have awarded him as a Cyber Wingman from the US Air Force. His recognition has caught the interest of current clients, who include international banking institutions, Fortune 500 organizations, Bill Gates, and Saudi Aramco. His entrepreneurial accomplishments include three successful exits building eight-, nine-, and ten-figure organizations. Se-cure Anchor Consulting is his fourth cyber security business venture. Aside from his seasoned technical expertise, Dr. Cole is a well-known public figure and author of various publications. He recently released his eighth book, Cyber Crisis, which debuted at #1 on the Wall Street Journal's bestseller list. Dr. Cole is currently focusing on fulfilling his purpose of being on this planet to end suffering in cyber-space and his mission to secure cyberspace, by making cyberspace a safe place to live, work and raise a family.

Emmanuel Nwajiaku is a GRC Officer at Georgia Tech Research Institute and an Instructor. He holds CISSP, Security+, and Network+ certifications, along with a Secret clearance. Emmanuel focuses on AI-enhanced security policies and human-centered defense strategies. He has led awareness programs that reduced phishing click rates by 30% and teaches these approaches in both corporate and academic settings.

Larry Wilson was formerly the Chief Information Security Officer for Sumitomo Pharma Americas, Inc., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and the University of Massachusetts (UMass) President's Office. In the CISO role, Larry was responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing compliance with the SMPA / WPI / UMass Information Security Policy and Written Information Security Plan (WISP). In addition to designing and deploying the respective cybersecurity programs, Larry has developed and delivered cybersecurity training at multiple industry events, workshops, training venues, etc. Courses include Designing and Building a Cybersecurity Program, Designing and Building a Ransomware Program, and Designing and Building a Third-Party Risk Program. Larry has also worked with multiple companies in multiple industries to help design, build, and maintain their Cybersecurity Programs, Ransomware Program, and Third-Party Risk Programs.

Chuck Brooks is a leading evangelist for cybersecurity in both the public and private sectors. He is one of the original “plank holders” at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, worked on Capitol Hill, taught homeland security at Johns Hopkins University, and has advised several organizations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Cyber Resilience Institute. He is a member of the AFCEA Cybersecurity Committee and serves as Chairman of CompTIA’s New and Emerging Technologies.

Chuck has been a featured speaker at numerous events and conferences and has written dozens of articles on cyber tech and policy in publications such as Forbes, Huffington Post, The Hill, Federal Times, IT Security Planet, Bizcatalyst360, NextGov, Alien Vault, Gov Tech, Government Security News, and many others. He is a pioneer in social media with a global following and has brought significant attention to cyber issues from his frequent posts and commentary on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, FedScoop, and other social media. He also owns and operates several high profile groups on LinkedIn active in cybersecurity and homeland security discussions.

Sarath Shanker is a Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science at Oakland University, specializing in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. He holds a Master’s degree from Northeastern University, Boston, and has more than 10 years of industry experience in software development, cloud infrastructure, and AI systems. His research focuses on adversarial threats in privacy-preserving environments, darknet infrastructure security, and the ethical use of AI in cyber defense.

Lisa Plaggemier is Executive Director at the National Cybersecurity Alliance. She is a recognized thought leader in security awareness and education with a track record of engaging and empowering people to protect themselves, their families, and their organizations. Lisa is a University of Michigan graduate (Go Blue!) and while she wasn’t born in Austin, Texas, she got there as fast as she could.

Krista Arndt is the Associate CISO at SLUHN. As the Associate CISO, Krista is responsible for managing the security program's day to day operational effectiveness. Krista has been working in information security in various capacities for more than 15 years. In her previous roles, Krista assisted with developing and leading security programs in national healthcare, crypto, finance, and the Department of Defense. She currently holds her CISM and CRISC certifications and NHRA competition driver's license.

Krista is an active member of ISACA, serves as InfraGard Philadelphia Chapter’s Healthcare Sector Chief, serves on Neumann University's Business Advisory Council, and is Marketing Committee Chair for Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) Delaware Valley Affiliate. Through this service, Krista's mission is to give back to her community by providing mentorship and support for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, especially for women who wish to enter the field.

When off the clock, Krista takes her affinity for overcoming challenges to the garage and the race track, where she enjoys building and improving her own race car, competing as a driver in national drag racing events with her family, and using her racing as a forum to advocate for neurodiversity awareness and inclusion.

Doug Cavit has been involved in cybersecurity for 30 years as CIO of McAfee and Chief Security Strategist at Microsoft, as well as CISO for two tech startups working on automated cybersecurity in the cloud. He was a major contributor to Microsoft adding anti-malware and several versions of Windows. He has been involved in setting security standards for the financial services and utility industries as well as the ISO process for secure software development. He has helped the Global Fortune 1000 and governments around the world on security and is a noted speaker in the security industry. Doug was a finalist for an Orbie award for CISO of the year in 2025. He holds multiple patents for IT infrastructure. Currently, he is CISO for Snohomish County in Washington State. In addition, he is a volunteer board member for a local non-profit that provides computers to the disadvantaged.

Bruce Coffing is an information security professional with over twenty-five years industry experience in information technology and cybersecurity. He is currently the Chief Information Security Officer for the City of Chicago. Prior to joining the City of Chicago, Mr. Coffing held Senior Vice President information security positions at Bank of America and was a Senior Manager at consulting firm Accenture. Mr. Coffing holds the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification.

Iain Sloan is an accomplished cybersecurity leader with more than 40 years of experience in information technology and security across both public and private sectors in the UK, Texas, and Washington State. As Chief Information Security Officer for the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, he is responsible for safeguarding critical infrastructure, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving strategic initiatives that enhance the agency’s security posture.

Throughout his career, Iain has led enterprise programs, implemented risk management frameworks, and fostered cross-functional collaboration to address evolving cyber threats. His deep technical expertise, combined with a commitment to operational excellence and public service, makes him a respected voice in the cybersecurity community.

Cedric Leighton is a CNN Military Analyst and a retired United States Air Force Colonel. On CNN, he has provided incisive commentaries on the Israel-Hamas War, the War in Ukraine, the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and numerous other conflicts around the world. His analysis has been seen by millions of viewers around the world and provided much needed context to some of the most pressing national security issues of our time. As a U.S. Air Force officer, Colonel Leighton served at U.S. Special Operations Command, the Joint Staff, and the National Security Agency, where he helped train the nation's cyber warriors. A Middle East combat veteran, he is the recipient of numerous military awards, including the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Bronze Star. After serving 26 years as a U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer, Col. Leighton founded a strategic risk consultancy and became the co-founder of CYFORIX, where he advises multinational businesses on developing better cyber strategies designed to reduce risk and unpredictability.

VJ Viswanathan is a global technology and security executive with more than 25 years of experience spanning AI, cloud and enterprise platforms, cybersecurity, privacy, and technology risk. He has held senior executive roles at large enterprises, including Keurig Dr Pepper, Comcast, HD Supply, and GE, where he led technology, cybersecurity, privacy, and risk programs across highly complex and distributed environments.

Today, VJ works with boards and executive teams on the security challenges created by AI, automation, and digital sprawl—helping leaders understand where traditional security models fall short and how to adapt. He currently serves as Founding Partner of CYFORIX and CEO of TORQE, focused on strategic defense and enterprise transformation.

Toby Bussa is a Director of Product Marketing at Huntress. He has over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity. He most recently was VP of Product Marketing at ThreatConnect. Prior to that he was a VP Analyst at Gartner where he covered security operations. He previously led IT security operations, data protection, security architecture and engineering, and 3rd party risk management for a FTSE100 enterprise, and the EMEA SOC threat detection team for a global MSSP.

Transforming curiosity into cyber defense, one line of code at a time.

Michael Tigges is a Senior Security Operations Analyst at Huntress, where he puts his passion for reverse engineering, threat detection, and partner support into practice. His interest in cybersecurity took off when he began learning Python and dissecting malware lurking in open-source software channels. Today, he holds a B.S. in Cybersecurity from the SANS Technology Institute and a host of certifications, including GPEN, GCFE, GCFA, GCIA, and GCIH.

Before joining Huntress, Michael worked in financial risk analysis for enterprise banking and served eight years of Active Duty in the U.S. Air Force munitions career field, bringing a unique blend of analytical skill, discipline, and operational insight to his role. What he loves most about Huntress is the open atmosphere: “There’s always something interesting going on to learn from,” he says, whether it’s threat intel specialists forming a cohesive threat picture, reverse engineers dissecting malware, or account managers supporting valued partners.

What’s your favorite cybersecurity tip, Michael? “Never click promotional email links; figure out where they go and navigate yourself. When typing out that domain, you may find it doesn't say what you think it does.”

Outside of work, Michael invests his time in gaming, software engineering, and exploring open-source security projects. He also shares his insights on his personal blog (sudorem.dev) and on X: @sudo_Rem.