Cybersecurity Luminary Ira Winkler Elected President of ISSA

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) announced today that cybersecurity luminary Ira Winkler has been elected as the International President for the new 2012-2013 term. In addition six prominent industry leaders have been elected to the Board of Directors: Frances "Candy" Alexander, CISSP, CISM and CISO, Long Term Care Partners; Debbie Christofferson, CIPP/IT, CISSP, CISM; Mary Ann Davidson, CSO, Oracle; Nils Puhlmann, CISSP-ISSMP, CISM, and CSO, Zynga, Inc.; Brian Schultz, CISSP, ISSMP, ISSAP, CISM, CISA, Technical Director, Cyber Architecture & Advisory Services, Battelle Memorial Institute; and Stefano Zanero, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Politecnico di Milano.

“ISSA is more relevant than ever in today’s fast changing threat landscape and plays a crucial role in developing the cybersecurity leaders and best practices of the future”

These IT security professionals are at the forefront of protecting personal data, proprietary corporate information and intellectual property for some of the world’s largest organizations and government agencies. Through ISSA, this collective experience is transformed into powerful knowledge and peer networking to help security practitioners at all levels – from students to CISOs - stay in the loop with the rapidly-evolving technology climate and to develop the next generation of cybersecurity leaders.

ISSA also provides a unified voice for the industry on key issues – such as the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace - that influences public opinion, government regulations, media and other important audiences. ISSA is the only independent organization and community of choice for nearly 10,000 cybersecurity professionals with over 150 chapters worldwide.

“ISSA is more relevant than ever in today’s fast changing threat landscape and plays a crucial role in developing the cybersecurity leaders and best practices of the future,” said Kevin Richards, CISSP, Managing Director of Security Strategy & Risk Management at Accenture and immediate past president of ISSA. “Ira has consistently demonstrated his commitment to ISSA, which, combined with his deep understanding of the security professional role, vision, and strong relationships will take ISSA into the next phase of its growth. Further we would like to recognize the entire board of directors, including new and returning members. ISSA continues to attract the world’s foremost experts and thought leaders and is poised to advance the security profession in many ways.”

Winkler, CISSP, is recognized as one of the world's most influential cybersecurity professionals. He is a widely published writer and author of four books including the recently published “Spies Among Us.” He is also frequently featured in major national business publications and on TV as an expert source; is a sought-out presenter at conferences including RSA Conference, Black Hat and CSO Perspectives as well as various technical user groups and academic programs; and is the recipient of numerous prestigious industry awards. Winkler began his career at the National Security Agency, where he served as an Intelligence and Computer Systems Analyst and moved onto support other US and overseas government military and intelligence agencies. After leaving government service he served President of the Internet Security Advisors Group, Chief Security Strategist for Codenomicon, Chief Security Strategist at HP Consulting and Global Security Strategist for CSC Consulting. He was also on the Graduate and Undergraduate faculties of the Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland. Winkler earned his MS in Information Sciences and Systems from Bowie State University and BA in Psychology from Syracuse University.

“ISSA plays a unique and important role in the security industry - in particular in the face of complex cyber threats, challenging economic environments and geographically dispersed professionals. It is an incredible forum for networking with peers on both a local and national or even international basis, for finding mentors and new career opportunities, and for relevant resources when you need them,” said Winkler.

He adds, “I am honored to be elected as president and bring a mission to expand ISSA's relevancy to the security profession. In addition to valuable chapter and international conference meetings, we want to give members more opportunities to network, create more ways to centralize and expose our vast amount of content online, and develop topical communities of interest – such as SIGs for security awareness and healthcare. I also look forward to expanding ISSA’s work in partnering with other associations and certifying bodies.”

The new board members will be recognized at the 2012 ISSA International Conference, October 25-26 in Anaheim, CA.

Returning Board members include: Vice President - Andrea C. Hoy, CISM, CISSP, MBA and CSO, SenSe1 Security and President, A. Hoy & Associates; Secretary/COO - Bill Danigelis, CISSP, Director of Enterprise Sales, Trusteer; Treasurer and CFO - Kevin D. Spease, Manager of Infrastructure Currency, Health Net, Inc. Returning Directors include: Geoff Harris, CISSP, ITPC, BSc, DipEE, CEng, CLAS and CEO, Alderbridge; Pete Lindstrom, CISSP and VP, Research, Spire Security; George J. Proeller, CISSP, ISSAP, ISSMP, CISM, D.CS and President, Onramp Technologies.

Past ISSA leaders and award winners include many such notable names as Dave Cullinane, Pamela Fusco, Simson Garfinkel, Steve Hunt, Sandra Lambert, Jeff Moss, William H. Murray, Marcus Ranum, Howard A. Schmidt, Bruce Schneier, Eugene H. Spafford, and more.

Resource Links

For photos and to contact board members: http://www.issa.org/?page=InternationalBoard
To learn about the 2012 ISSA International Conference 2012: http://www.issa.org/?page=Conference
To read Ira Winkler’s President Letter to ISSA: www.issa.org
Follow ISSA on Twitter @ISSAINTL

About the ISSA

The Information Systems Security Association (ISSA)® is the community of choice for international cybersecurity professionals dedicated to advancing individual growth, managing technology risk, and protecting critical information and infrastructure. ISSA members and award winners include many of the industry’s notable luminaries and represent a broad range of industries - from communications, education, healthcare, manufacturing, financial and consulting to IT - as well as federal, state and local government departments and agencies. Through regional chapter meetings, conferences, networking events and content, members tap into a wealth of shared knowledge and expertise. Visit ISSA on the web at www.issa.org.