Industry Experts Gather for 2015 MSIT Information Security Roundtable

Thought leaders, industry advocates, and esteemed professionals specializing in the area of information security from the Chicagoland area were invited to attend the inaugural MSIT Information Security Roundtable

Thought leaders, industry advocates, and esteemed professionals specializing in the area of information security from the Chicagoland area were invited by Masters of Science in Information Technology(MSIT) Co-Directors Prof. Randy Berry and Prof. Yan Chen, in coordination with the MSIT Industry Advisory Board to attend the inaugural MSIT Information Security Roundtable, held on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at Northwestern University's Evanston campus. The security executives discussed topics, such as: hiring needs, suggestions on curriculum (e.g., potential guest lecturers), and potential R&D collaborations, as well as to how the MSIT program can play a broader role in the industry.

The Round Table Discussion Focused in Three Areas

  1. Creating awareness of the MSIT program within the Chicagoland IS and CISO community about the NWU students as a source for potential interns and employees.
  2. Establishing a two-way dialogue with the IS Community to clarify the specific IS skills/knowledge that hiring managers are seeking when evaluating candidates from a program like MSIT and ultimately identifying curriculum enhancements to close any gaps that are perceived.
  3. Seeking insights into research opportunities in the IS discipline via the vendor/sponsors of the local professional organizations affiliated with the program.

A total of 14 guests participated from variously distinct areas of expertise, such as Chief Information Security Officers (CISO) from corporations, Presidents of financial institutes, Operatives of government agencies, and multiple Northwestern representatives.View more MSIT Information Security Roundtable Photos

Full List of Attendees

Last Name First Name Company Title
Allen Robert CNA CISO
Barouski Bill A. Federal Reserve of Chicago EVP/CISO
Bivian Paul City of Chicago CISO
Buerger Sarah E. US Foods Sr. Director-IT Risk Management and Compliance
Cammarata Carl Northwestern University -Feinburg School of Medicine Sr. Director -CISO
Fitzgerald Todd Grant Thornton CISO
Friedman Gregg Hexis Cyber Solutions Regional Sales Director
Hauri Tina BGG, Inc Practice Leader
Hug Kathryn R. FBI  
Johnson John D. John Deere Global Security Strategist
Johnson Wayne IBM IBM Security Sales
Kane Dimitra Discover Financial Senior Manager
Kapetansky Glenn Trexin Consulting Senior Principal and Chief Security Officer
Kovarik David C. Northwestern University Director-Information and Systems Security Compliance
Laz     IT Security Researcher and Strategist
McJunkin James Discover Financial Services VP-CISO
McMillan Arlan United Airlines CISO
Nicolls Weston First Midwest Bank SVP-CISO
Novak Kevin Northern Trust Bank CISO and IT Risk Officer
Phillips Michael V. Rosenthal Collins Group EVP/CISO
Quadrini Melissa McAfee Regional Sales Director
Rhodes Jill Trustmark CISO
Sand Paul Federal Home Loan Bank VP/ISO
Sutherland Chris BMO Harris CISO
Waas Bill Illinois Technology Foundation President
Witty Jason US Bank CISO
       
Berry Randy Northwestern University MSIT Director/Faculty
Chen Yan Northwestern University MSIT Faculty
Shay Abi Northwestern University MSIT Associate Director
Wolff Alan Northwestern University MCC IT Director - MSIT Faculty
Carr David Northwestern University NUIT Associate VP - MSIT Alum/IAB
Berger Allison Northwestern University MCC Career Development
Harvey Katie Northwestern University MCC Career Development

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