Cyber

DFC: Cyber — Dallas Apr 2023

Apr 19, 2023 7:00 PM · The Granada Theater · Dallas, TX

We asked DFWs top Corporate CISOs to give us challenging cybersecurity issues and we’re having top VAR execs duke it out on stage in a raucous debate. Tired of hearing the same ‘ol same ‘ol at cybersecurity conferences? Tired of being kissed up to or not being able to speak your mind in a proposal? So are we.

RSVP
April 19, 2023

The Fight Format

  • Each fight runs ~10 minutes
  • Opening arguments: 45 secs each
  • Rebuttal rounds: 15 secs each (6–8 rounds)
  • Refs call fouls (buzzer) anytime — 15 sec response each
  • Audience votes to decide the winner

Event Timeline

Sponsors

The companies backing this fight — and all the decision-makers in the room. Want in on the action? Reach out below.

Fights

Defending your ideas in front of a crowd of your peers. Educational and entertaining at the same time.

Zero Trust

Allan Alford
  • President, Security Tinkerers
  • Former CISO, Polycom
  • Demon in a Blue Suit

VS
Mark Mahovlich
VP, Strategy, ICM Cyber
  • Former computer repairman, sorta!
  • Aerospace engineer
  • Fightin’ Iris

Ransomware Victims

Alex Cherones
MD, Cyber Risk, PWC
  • AT&T Cyber vet
  • Recovering real estate analyst
  • Pony up!

VS
Dave Trader
Field CISO, Presidio
  • Cyber risk expert
  • Former police officer
  • Semper Fi

The Cyber Hiring Problem

Mike Saylor
  • Exec Dir. Cyber Defense Center
  • Longtime cyber professor
  • Blaze the Maverick

VS
Jessie Bolton
  • Lifelong tech hr vet
  • Talent advocate
  • Dallas native

To certify or not to certify?

Jessica Nemmers
Field CISO, Flair Data Systems
  • Perot/EDS/Dell vet
  • Professional ballerina
  • Pony up!

VS
Andrew Winkelmann
MD, Cloud Security, Accenture
  • Lifelong security vet
  • Former bartender
  • Wellington P. Wildcat

Government Cyber Regulation

Julio Casablanca
Cybersecurity Advisor, WWT
  • System Engineer
  • Nacho Libre fan
  • Maverick (Blaze)
VS
Sharon Reynolds
  • Lockheed Martin vet
  • Former CISO
  • Western Mustang

Referees

They don't judge the debate — they call fouls. The audience decides the winner. All referees below officiate every fight at this event.

Pat Benoit

Global CISO, Brinks
  • Enterprise security vet
  • Standards setter
  • Cameron Aggie

Gerry Mecca

  • Keurig-Dr Pepper vet
  • Amateur Baseball Foundation founder
  • Blaze the Mascot

Sarah McMahon

VP Endpoint Services, Federal Reserve
  • AT&T vet
  • Literally married to a rock star
  • Comet

Cecil Pineda

CISO, R1 RCM
  • Co-Founder CISO CX
  • Lifelong security vet
  • Community advocate

David Bell

  • Lifelong corp cyber guy
  • Banking security vet
  • Mean Green

Watch

Event videos here and fight videos on the fight pages

Photos

Mayhem captured for posterity

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