Welcome to the first Q&A in our new SecureWorld Spotlight Series!
Through these blogs, you'll have a chance to learn about the speakers and Advisory Council members that make our events a success. They will share about their professional journeys, unique experiences, and hopes for the future of cybersecurity—along with some personal anecdotes.
Meet Lisa Plaggemier, Interim Executive Director at the National Cybersecurity Alliance. Lisa is a trailblazer in security awareness and education, and is a prominent security influencer with a proven track record of engaging and empowering businesses and their employees to protect themselves and their data. She 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.
Get to know Lisa Plaggemier
Question: Why did you decide to pursue cybersecurity as a career path?
Answer: It chose me! I was in marketing and was asked to work with the BSO (Business Security Officer) on thought leadership on security. That led to being recruited to the security team to work in training and awareness, incident communications, etc.
Q: What encouraged you to join the National Cybersecurity Alliance?
I was on the Board for a few years before my current role as Interim Executive Director. I believe passionately in our mission to empower a more secure interconnected world. Education is empowering!
Q: What do you hope attendees will take away from your session?
I hope we (cybersecurity professionals) can stop being scary and using militaristic language, tone, and imagery when we're talking to the business or to everyday people like our families and friends. And I'd love to banish stock images of hackers in hoodies!
Q: How would you describe your feelings about cybersecurity in one word?
Fascinating.
Q: What has been your most memorable moment thus far working in cybersecurity?
Watching really good awareness content go viral through an organization.
Q: If you had to choose, what's the one cybersecurity practice people can adopt that would have the greatest impact?
MFA (multi-factor authentication).
Q: What is an industry-wide change you would like to see happen in 2022?
No more FUD (fear, unity, and doubt) and no more images of hackers in hoodies.
Q: If you could pass or change one regulation/law in cybersecurity and data protection, what would it be and why?
I'll take any national data protection law in the United States. Something would be better than nothing.
Q: What do you wish more people knew about your non-profit organization?
The wealth of free resources we have for the general public and for training and awareness managers. And all the ways people and organizations can get involved, not just during October for Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but all year long. We'll be launching a new website soon that we're really excited about. It'll make it easier to find what you're looking for—whether that's a tip sheet on phishing or attending one of our virtual events.
Q: What are you most looking forward to this year at SecureWorld Boston?
Seeing industry friends I haven't seen since before Covid!
To hear more from Lisa and hear her upcoming session, "A Whole Lotta BS (Behavioral Science) About Cybersecurity," register here. To learn more about the National Cybersecurity Alliance, visit their website.
If you're interested in presenting at an upcoming SecureWorld conference, please fill out our speaker submission form.
Continue to follow our Spotlight Series for more highlights from industry experts!
