CISO Council

Kumar has 15 years of experience in the enterprise security and log management space leading product development efforts at ArcSight and SumoLogic. He has a passion for helping organizations improve the efficacy of their security operations, and personally witnessed the limitations of existing solutions in helping SOC analysts detect threats buried deep within mountains of alerts and events. This frustration led him to co-found LogicHub™ to empower cyber analysts by building intelligence automation, not just analytics.

Most recently Kumar was Co-founder and Vice President of Engineering at Sumo Logic. Previously, he was the data architect at Mint.com which was acquired by Intuit. Kumar was also one of the early engineering leads for the analytics and solutions team at ArcSight, and saw the company grow from zero revenue to IPO. Kumar earned his M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University and B.S. in Computer Science from IIT Kharagpur.

VJ Viswanathan is a veteran global technology executive recognized and awarded for technology innovation, capability transformation and inclusive leadership. Most recently, VJ is the founding partner at CYFORIX, a global cybersecurity research, advisory & strategy firm delivering solutions to public and private sectors. He serves as the CEO at TORQE, a specialized due diligence, advisory and technology services firm delivering value through analytics and automation. VJ is also the co-host of ELEVATEINTEL, a podcast series at the nexus of technology, social and defense.

With over 25 years of Enterprise technology, Cyber Security, Privacy, Compliance and Risk Management experience, VJ has a detailed track record of designing, implementing and leading highly successful programs, products & services at multinational brands spanning CPG, Telecom, Media, Supply-chain & Finance segments.
As a strategic thought leader, VJ has delivered the first of its kind "Supply Chain Security" & “Omni-channel Risk management” frameworks. As a published author and featured keynote speaker at global industry events, he approaches disruptive digital paradigms with innovation, creativity and active collaboration with his key industry peers, national & international law enforcement and defense groups.

VJ is an active advisor, investor at select incubators & accelerators groups. As a strategic advisor to VC & PE firms, he specializes in developing market analysis, competitive product road map and guides in opportunity mapping. As a Board member and subject matter advisor to CEOs and Corporate directors, VJ evaluates and audits cyber security program for veracity and operational effectiveness.

VJ is passionate about animal rights and giving back to the technology & security industry. He has created a rescue & foster care group for large breed dogs. He is actively engaged with academic institutions and purpose driven professional groups like ‘Minorities in Cyber security’, where he serves as the Board member and chair of mentorship programs to develop the next generation talent through coaching and facilitating scholarships for cyber security education.

Amit Basu is the head of IT and IT Security at International Seaways (INSW). INSW, headquartered in New York City, is one of the largest tanker companies providing energy transportation services worldwide. Amit is a proven IT leader with over 25 years of experience in maritime IT and has pioneered several technology innovations in maritime. Over the last decade, Amit has led a digital transformation in INSW with a Cloud-Only IT strategy and is instrumental in designing a multi-layered cybersecurity framework promoting a cyber resilience culture. Amit holds an MBA as well as a Master of Science degree in Information Management from the Stevens Institute of Technology, New Jersey. He is also a Certified Information Security Manager from ISACA, certified in Cybersecurity Risk Management by HarvardX, Cybersecurity Oversight by Carnegie Mellon University, Maritime Cybersecurity by Lloyds Maritime, and Artificial Intelligence by MIT Sloan School of Management. Amit is an advisory board member for the Cybersecurity program at Pace University and Ithaca College, on the advisory board of Exium, and a member of the Governing Body of New York CIO Executive Summit.

I am a security, technology audit, controls, governance, risk management, quality and compliance subject matter expert. With over 25 years of professional experience I am able to help companies of any size implement effective and efficient technology control management processes. I am a senior level IT Executive with extensive experience in creating and delivering technology management solutions to include data controls, transaction processing, quality, operations, network support, regulatory compliance and project management. Effective team builder and leader with a proven track record in establishing a strategic vision and gaining buy-in from all levels of the organization. I am skilled in developing customer-driven teams that contribute to successful organizational performance.

My goal is a senior level role in Security, IT Audit, Technology Management, Governance, Compliance, Risk Management, Quality Improvement or consulting.


Certification:
CISA, CGEIT, CRISC, ITIL Foundation, National Bank Examiner, Certified Quality Auditor (inactive), Six Sigma Green Belt.

Specialties: -Risk Assessment
-Offshore Management
-Application Development
-IT Strategy / ITIL
-Technology Audit
-System Integration
-Change Control / Management
-Vendor Management
-Network Management
-Information Security
-Privacy
-Compliance
-FFIEC
-Data Center operations
-Service Auditor Review - SSAE-16
-Business Continuity Planning /Disaster Recovery
-Audit Committee relations
-Project Management
-Governance
-Sarbanes
-COBIT
-Quality Programs / Testing

Dr. Brian Gardner is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the City of Dallas. Dr. Brian joined the City in 2017 to develop IT risk management and regulatory compliance programs.  Since taking on the role of CISO he has implemented a risk-based framework for cybersecurity strategy to assess and mature the City’s security capabilities, assure regulatory compliance, and mitigate enterprise-wide technology and business risk. In addition ins implementing the City’s first Cyber Fusion Center and Security Operation Center.

Dr. Brian’s cybersecurity industry experience extends from global financial services, national healthcare services, and Big Four consulting before entering public service. Dr. Brian holds a bachelor’s degree in Forensic Accounting, a Master’s in Information Security Management, and a PhD in Information Technology, Security and Assurance. As well as research and publication on Disaster Recovery, Dr. Brian also holds certifications in Cloud Security and Privacy.

Dr. Brian is a founding member of the Coalition of City CISOs. The group is dedicated to bring municipal leaders and cybersecurity professionals together advance municipal cybersecurity.

Dr. Brian and his family reside the DFW area with their six children. He and his wife actively foster children from the region in hopes to provide them a better start. Over the past seven years they have fostered over 20 kids of all ages from infant to teenagers. In addition, Dr. Brian helps out with the Dallas ISD P-TECH program and actively assists with guidance for students around the IT Security field.

James “Coop” Cooper is a Technologist and Futurist helping enterprises break the legacy bonds that constrain employees from increasing shareholder wealth. He is Internationally recognized as an innovator for new technologies, processes and business models that impact the User Experience. Coop regularly predicts disruptions in technology, economics, government policies that corporations need to consider as part of their strategy to improve the user experience and create an environment where discovering new ideas to create value is more important than end to end management of devices. Coop is a global pioneer in simplification of technology management, virtualization, social networking services. Prior roles include Chief Technologist for the $4 Billion Mobility and Workplace business at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Strategist for applied innovation, Chief Architect for workplace services and Sr. Consultant with HP Consulting.

Highly qualified IT Security Analyst & Adjunct Professor with 15+ years experience specializing in business continuity, disaster recover, IT security, and knowledge transfer. Applies methods for assessing and mitigating risk, analyzing impacts, and managing incidents. IT security experience including security auditing, governance risk and compliance, ITGRC implementation and business continuity planning.Highly qualified IT Security Analyst & Adjunct Professor with 15+ years experience specializing in business continuity, disaster recover, IT security, and knowledge transfer. Applies methods for assessing and mitigating risk, analyzing impacts, and managing incidents. IT security experience including security auditing, governance risk and compliance, ITGRC implementation and business continuity planning.