Day 1
Khester Kindrick
Information Security Executive
Title: Internet Safety
Summary: Internet browsing has become prominent in our daily lives within an interconnected digital world. We rely on the Internet for news, shopping, information, communication, entertainment, and more. However, the size of the online world also brings many concerns, including cyber threats, data breaches, and privacy violations. Understanding how to browse the internet safely is crucial to safeguarding our personal data, maintaining online security, and avoiding the target sights of criminal actors.
Bio: With a specialty in fortifying enterprise IT cyber protection and maximizing compliance with regulatory and industry standards Khester’s career spans 20+ years of military cybersecurity defense, graduate-level security education,
and information technology leadership. Currently serving as a Cryptographic Warfare Officer at the U.S. Navy Reserve, Khester has also served as Grand Canyon University’s Faculty Lead for the Master of Science in Cybersecurity program and its
Cyber Center of Excellence. Currently, a Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona Khester is pursuing a Ph.D. in Information Technology with an emphasis in Information Security.
Day 2
Daniel Stern
Vice President of Information Security and Technology Service Delivery at SWCA Environmental Consultants
Title: Cybersecurity Employment Opportunities
Summary: Daniel will be answering questions about the wide variety of cybersecurity employment opportunities available – especially in the Denver region. He will also discuss the essential skills employers look for when hiring
employees for cybersecurity roles.
Bio: Daniel Stern is the Vice President of Information Security and Technology Service Delivery at SWCA Environmental Consultants. SWCA is a 100% employee-owned, nationwide environmental consulting firm that offers comprehensive
environmental planning, regulatory compliance, and natural and cultural resources management services. Daniel is responsible for SWCA’s high-performance and secure technology tools and processes and for the protection of client data. He
has an undergraduate and master’s degree in information and communications technology, specializing in computer and information systems security.
Before joining SWCA in 2021 as the first Director of Information Security, Daniel was Vice
President of Information Technology at Air Methods, the largest U.S. air medical company. He has worked in tech for 20+ years and has an undergraduate and master’s degree in information and communications technology, specializing in computer
and information systems security. Daniel has also worked in IT Operations, Infrastructure, and Security at Chipotle Mexican Grill and Molson Coors Brewing Company.
Day 3
Alfred Ortiz
CEO of CSD Cyber and Senior Clinical Instructor of Information Systems at Business School of CU Denver
Title: Cybersecurity’s Next Generation – Why it’s important to have diverse eyes on cyber business.
Summary: Many of us will have seen cyber from the technical side of the business. Yet in a world that is getting increasingly smaller, we have to see tech from a global perspective and how business is driving innovation forward.
Having come from various backgrounds culturally, educationally and from a business perspective one has to remember why cyber will be propelling this market forward. In today’s business environment the thinking is moving away from a project mentality
to one of a performance perspective. The next generation will need to view the lens of cyber from a different lens. How will you shape your thinking for the future?
Bio: Mr. Ortiz is CEO of CSD Cyber, a provider of cybersecurity solutions. He has 20 years of information technology experience with companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Infor Global Solutions and DriveLock before starting his own
firm. During his professional career, he worked in various areas of sales, marketing, pre-sales, and management covering regional territories from the arctic circle to Tierra del Fuego (including the McMurdo Station in Antarctica).
In addition
to his professional career, he has been involved in higher education as an affiliate professor at the University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio, TX), Regis University, UCCS and currently a Senior Clinical Instructor at UC Denver. To keep up on the
academic side and reaching for his academic goals, he is a doctoral candidate in Information Systems at IE University in Madrid, Spain. In addition, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly Pomona, an MBA from University of the Incarnate Word,
and executive education from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Day 4
Hossein Siadati
Senior Security Engineer at Datadog
Title: An Overview of Software Supply Chain Security
Summary: This talk provides a comprehensive overview of Software Supply Chain Security. Through real-world examples such as Solarwinds, event-stream, and the PyPI hack, we examine the vulnerabilities within the software supply chain.
We also explore innovative solutions like the SLSA framework, Sigstore, and in-toto, which aim to enhance software security. Additionally, we highlight the latest research findings and ongoing efforts in the field, addressing emerging challenges and
shaping the future of software supply chain security. Join us for this insightful session to gain a deeper understanding of the subject and stay updated on industry advancements.
Bio: Hossein Siadati, a computer scientist and former Googler, currently holds the position of Senior Security Engineer at Datadog. While his primary focus lies in software supply chain security, his expertise extends to a wider realm
of security domains, encompassing network security, user authentication, and addressing fraud-related challenges through technical and social methodologies. He earned his PhD from New York University in 2019 and has made significant contributions
to the field through multiple peer-reviewed papers presented at esteemed security conferences. Outside of his professional pursuits, Hossein finds joy in nature and indulges in his passion for hiking.
Day 5
Chris Edumdson
Lead Manager of Office of Security & Compliance at University of Colorado Denver & Anschutz Medical Campus
Title: What is Cloud Security? & What are the Career Opportunities in Cloud Security?
Summary: Cloud security is about the best practices, technologies, and policies applied to protect data, applications, and infrastructure in cloud computing environments. This involves the safekeeping of sensitive information, maintaining privacy, providing data integrity, and preventing unauthorized access. It stresses the need for robust authentication and access control mechanisms, encryption methods, and intrusion detection systems to fortify cloud environments. Furthermore, it’s important to recognize the need for continuous monitoring, regular audits, and adherence to industry standards and compliance regulations to maintain a secure cloud infrastructure. This presentation will highlight the significance of cloud security in mitigating risks associated with storing and processing data in the cloud. Additionally, the presentation will interweave the many job opportunities in cloud security.
Bio: Chris Edmundson has been employed in the information technology arena for over 25 years, working in a wide variety of roles, primarily in the public sector related to administration of K-12 public schools and at higher education
institutions. He currently manages the Security Operations for the Office of Information Technology at the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus. Chris is an Associate Instructor teaching SEC488: Cloud Security Essentials.
