Black Hat

The HUMAN story started surrounded by stories in the back of a sci-fi bookstore in Brooklyn, New York. Our founders Tamer Hassan, Michael Tiffany, Dan Kaminsky, and Ash Kalb bonded over a shared mission: to protect the integrity of the internet by disrupting the economics of cybercrime. That mission has not changed. For over 10 years, weve been safeguarding organizations from bot attacks, fraud, and digital abuse by using a unique approach: modern defense. This strategy enables us to protect advertisers, enterprises, and brands. Our success is proven by the takedowns of 3ve, Methbot, PARETO, Scylla, and VASTFLUX. We recognize that the digital landscape is always changing - thats why we play to win. Together we can ensure the internet stays just how we like it - human.

Mike Madero is the VP for Mr. Cooper. At Mr. Cooper, the purpose is simple: keeping the dream of homeownership alive. As the consumer brand for the mortgage servicing and originations operation of Mr. Cooper Group Inc. (NASDAQ: COOP), they believe their teammates make that dream possible. Everything they do is in the care and service of their teammates and their customers - working together, volunteering to make a difference, and challenging the status quo to provide specialized services in home loans, servicing, and originations.

Sue Bergamo is a seasoned global consultant at BTE Partners and a former technology executive with deep expertise as a CISO and CIO. She specializes in guiding organizations through complex transformations, ensuring that people, processes, and technology are perfectly aligned to meet strategic and regulatory goals. A Board Member, investor, and author, Sue has a proven track record of delivering structure and measurable outcomes across the business lifecycle - from early-stage ventures to global enterprises.

Nils Puhlmann is a seasoned technology and security executive with extensive experience as CISO, CSO, and CTO across leading global companies. Formerly at Twilio and Zynga, Nils brings deep expertise in cloud security, risk management, and technology strategy. As a co-founder of the Cloud Security Alliance, he has been instrumental in shaping industry standards and best practices for secure cloud adoption. Known for building and leading high-performing security teams, Nils advises organizations on cybersecurity strategy, compliance, and governance while driving innovation in secure technology deployments. His leadership spans enterprise-scale transformations, cloud initiatives, and global security programs, helping organizations mitigate risk and achieve strategic objectives.

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.

With a career dedicated to strategic leadership and fortifying organizations against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber risks, Chirag is a trusted steward of security, driving innovation and excellence in the realm of information security. Chirag brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the forefront of cybersecurity. With a career spanning over 24 years, he has earned a reputation as a strategic leader, adept at navigating the complexities of modern technology and safeguarding organizations against emerging threats. Key Milestones: Throughout his career, Chirag has left an indelible mark on the cybersecurity landscape, spearheading initiatives that redefine the boundaries of possibility in safeguarding digital assets. From designing and implementing comprehensive cybersecurity strategies to orchestrating robust security operations efforts, Chirag has consistently demonstrated a commitment to protecting organizational assets and fostering a culture of security. Leadership Philosophy: At the core of Chirag's leadership philosophy lies a deep-seated belief in the power of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. He understands that effective cybersecurity is not merely a technological challenge but a cultural imperative that requires the collective effort of stakeholders across the organization. Vision for the Future: Looking ahead, Chirag envisions a future where organizations embrace cybersecurity as a strategic priority, embedding security into the fabric of their operations and culture. By leveraging emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, Chirag seeks to revolutionize the way organizations detect, mitigate, and respond to cyber threats. Chirag envisions a future where organizations embrace cybersecurity not as a barrier, but as an enabler of growth and innovation. Current Role and Responsibilities: As the Global Information Security Officer & DPO at Model N, Chirag’s primary objective is to spearhead the development and implementation of comprehensive security strategies that harmonize with business goals and objectives. Chirag’s responsibilities encompass a broad spectrum of security programs, including security compliance management, risk management, incident response, security awareness training and data privacy management. Deeply involved in the security community, Chirag actively contributes to various associations and organizations, including active participation in a data protection organization and a security compliance organization. In these roles, he plays a key part in shaping strategic guidelines for data security, compliance, and privacy. His educational foundation encompasses a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, a Master of Business Administration, a Master’s in Cyber Security Leadership and Security Operations, along with pertinent security credentials.

Anand Thangaraju is a seasoned CISO and go-to-market (GTM) leader with deep experience across both the buyer and seller sides of cybersecurity. He has held security roles at leading organizations including Cognizant, JPMorgan Chase, EY, Silicon Valley Bank, and Zelle. Anand is also an active investor, advisor, and evangelist within the cybersecurity and venture capital ecosystem, partnering closely with early-stage founders to drive GTM strategy, category creation, and demand generation. As an angel investor and startup advisor, he focuses on enterprise AI, SaaS, fintech, and cybersecurity innovation. Anand is a frequent speaker and a trusted voice in the CISO community, holding multiple industry certifications and contributing to boards and networks that shape the future of cybersecurity leadership.

Alaa Moussawi serves as Chief Data Scientist for the New York City Council, where he oversees the operations of the data and web development units. Under his leadership, the data operations unit promotes the utilization of data to shape legislative initiatives aimed at addressing the diverse needs of NYC's residents. Utilizing advanced statistical and technological tools, they analyze a broad spectrum of issues pertinent to the city, ranging from pay equity to school bus delays. Their objective is to empower policymakers with data-driven insights, ensuring transparency and reproducibility in their models and research. Simultaneously, the web development unit designs and implements technologies aimed at enhancing the efficiency of council staff while reducing cognitive load. By leveraging algorithms and natural language processing (NLP) technologies, they streamline user interfaces and automate complex tasks. Their solutions, developed exclusively using open source technology, are customizable and include CRMs, internal websites for streamlined processes like paperless hearings, dashboards, and machine learning models deployed to facilitate daily council operations.

ALKEME helps insurance brokerages realize sustainable growth and success through the creative use of innovation, shared services, consultation, and marketing. Our proven methodology, unmatched expertise, and externally validated results have quickly propelled us into the top-100 privately held insurance agencies in the U.S. Partners across the country rely on ALKEME's proven platform coupled with experience, resources, and long-term perspective to help them realize sustainable growth and success in a rapidly modernizing insurance world. Based in Ladera Ranch, California, and backed by GCP Capital Partners, ALKEME serves thousands of clients with a wide range of offerings including P&C, Benefits, Surety, Risk and Wealth Management.