Jen Easterly, a seasoned cybersecurity expert with over three decades of experience in the field, is set to lead the RSAC Conference as its new CEO. This comes at a time when the industry is grappling with significant challenges, including the increasing sophistication of AI-powered attacks and the need for more effective collaboration between governments and private sectors.
Easterly's appointment is seen as a strategic move by the organization, which has been hosting its annual conference since 1991. The conference has grown to become one of the largest gatherings of cybersecurity experts, vendors, and researchers, attracting tens of thousands of attendees each year.
As CEO, Easterly aims to expand RSAC Conference's year-round global membership entity and support the next generation of AI-driven cyber companies. She also plans to enhance the innovation sandbox, early stage expo, and startup ecosystem, which she believes will be critical in driving the development of high-quality software that prioritizes security by design.
Easterly's background is a testament to her commitment to cybersecurity and trust building. With multiple deployments in the US Army, work at the National Security Agency, and leadership roles at Morgan Stanley and CISA, she has developed a reputation as an independent and expert voice on cybersecurity issues.
The appointment comes at a time of great transition for the industry, with AI tools increasingly enhancing both attacker and defender capabilities. Easterly emphasizes that cybersecurity is not a partisan issue and that RSAC Conference will continue to welcome insights and collaboration from officials across governments and borders.
While her departure from CISA after the Trump administration's changes in policy may have raised eyebrows, Easterly maintains that she is committed to maintaining the organization's expertise-based approach rather than its politics.
Easterly's appointment is seen as a strategic move by the organization, which has been hosting its annual conference since 1991. The conference has grown to become one of the largest gatherings of cybersecurity experts, vendors, and researchers, attracting tens of thousands of attendees each year.
As CEO, Easterly aims to expand RSAC Conference's year-round global membership entity and support the next generation of AI-driven cyber companies. She also plans to enhance the innovation sandbox, early stage expo, and startup ecosystem, which she believes will be critical in driving the development of high-quality software that prioritizes security by design.
Easterly's background is a testament to her commitment to cybersecurity and trust building. With multiple deployments in the US Army, work at the National Security Agency, and leadership roles at Morgan Stanley and CISA, she has developed a reputation as an independent and expert voice on cybersecurity issues.
The appointment comes at a time of great transition for the industry, with AI tools increasingly enhancing both attacker and defender capabilities. Easterly emphasizes that cybersecurity is not a partisan issue and that RSAC Conference will continue to welcome insights and collaboration from officials across governments and borders.
While her departure from CISA after the Trump administration's changes in policy may have raised eyebrows, Easterly maintains that she is committed to maintaining the organization's expertise-based approach rather than its politics.