From Panic to Action: Putting Cybersecurity into Practice – Session 2 of 2
As part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, AWTC is continuing its two-part cybersecurity series designed for association leaders.
Building on the foundation from Part 1, this session moves from understanding cyber risk to taking action.
Cybersecurity tools, services, and responsibilities can be complex. Through real-world case studies, our expert panel will explore how organizations identify vulnerabilities, prepare for threats, and respond when an incident occurs.
Many associations rely on a Managed Service Provider (MSP) for technology and cybersecurity. But do you know what cybersecurity questions you should be asking your MSP? We’ll help you understand what to expect from your MSP, where responsibilities lie, and how your critical systems and data are being protected.
You’ll leave with clear, actionable steps you can take today to reduce cyber risk, protect critical assets, and prepare for an incident.
Bring your questions and leave knowing what to ask, prioritize, and act on!
Speakers
Iulia Griffin, CEO
The Cactus Group
Iulia Griffin(opens in new tab), is CEO and Co-Founder of The Cactus Group, a cybersecurity and technology firm helping organizations make practical, informed decisions about security, technology, and risk. Her work spans cybersecurity engineering and assurance, compliance and readiness, technology modernization, and purpose-built applications, with a focus on translating complex technical requirements into solutions that work for the organizations and people behind them. Drawing on a background in regulatory and audit environments as well as hands-on experience supporting organizations with evolving security needs, Iulia brings a business-first perspective to cybersecurity, helping leaders ask better questions, understand where their risks really are, and make more informed decisions about the technology partners they rely on.
Ryan O’Donnell
Vortacity Cyber & TrapLine.io(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)
Ryan O'Donnell(opens in new tab) is a distinguished Offensive Cybersecurity Expert with over 13 years of experience specializing in red team engagements, penetration testing, and system security enhancements. Throughout his career, Ryan has successfully identified and mitigated vulnerabilities across diverse systems and networks, ensuring their integrity and resilience. His expertise extends to conducting vulnerability assessments, penetration tests, red team operations, and incident response investigations.
Ryan hold prestigious industry certifications Offsec and GIAC, including OSCP, OSEP, CRTO, GREM, GCFE, and GCIH.
Kevin Fassanella
designDATA
Kevin Fassanella(opens in new tab) is Director of Security and Compliance at designDATA. With over 20 years in IT, he first began his career on the help desk, steadily advancing through the ranks to system administration before discovering his passion and talent for cybersecurity. Prior to joining our team, Kevin worked in various highly-regulated government environments, including the IRS, CISA, and the U.S. Coast Guard, where he introduced automation and cloud strategies that dramatically improved operational efficiency. He now draws on that experience to help our clients strengthen their security posture and stay compliant in the face of evolving threats. No two days look the same, but his focus remains the same: offering strategic guidance rooted in proven best practices. Kevin holds a CISSP certification, ITIL certification, and a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity from American Public University.
Facilitators
Nicole Araujo, CAE
Nicole connects. With organizations. With ideas. With people. She understands that associations do more to improve life than most people realize and that’s why she’s made the association industry her career focus. As the Senior Client Engagement Director at Mighty Citizen, she connects organizations to solutions that increase engagement, impact, and revenue by creating deeper connections with their audiences. The Mighty Citizen team marries data with human-centered design to craft brands, develop content strategies, build websites, and launch marketing campaigns that improve the world. She’s a past member of the ASAE Board, current member of the Key Consultants Committee, and proud member of the AWTC Planning Committee.
Trace Wilkins
Never Search Alone
Trace Wilkins is a business development and technology sales professional with experience across cloud, AI, and cybersecurity. Previously with AWS, she brings a background in helping organizations align technology with business outcomes. Trace holds the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC), AWS Certified AI Practitioner, and AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner credentials and serves on the Association Women Technology Champions (AWTC) Programming Committee. She is passionate about technology, continuous learning, and building stronger professional communities.