Cedric Leighton

Topic Description: "From computer viruses, to BOTNETs, to Denial of Service attacks, we continually hear about the dangers facing our computer infrastructure. Although these dangers are very real, many victims don't know they've been attacked until it's too late. In this keynote presentation, Cyber Security expert Cedric Leighton shows how some of the very first Cyber Attacks impacted the Energy Sector and how such attacks have grown more sophisticated over time. He also outlines how, as part of the nation's critical infrastructure, the US Energy Industry will be impacted by both President Obama's Cyber Security Executive Order and Congressional legislation and what the Energy Industry can do to proactively secure itself from Cyber Attacks."

Topic Description: The US is trying to fight a 21st Century Cyber War with a 19th Century bureaucracy. It lacks a coherent Cyber Strategy and has failed to reform its governmental institutions to keep pace with technological and social developments in the Cyber Age. In this presentation, Cyber Security expert Cedric Leighton makes the case for a truly responsive government, in which Cyber Security standards evolve in response to morphing Cyber Threats. He argues for an unprecedented public - private partnership, involving the Intelligence Community, Law Enforcement, Private Industry and Academia that partners in real-time to stem the growing threats posed by Cyber Terrorism, Cyber Crime and Cyber Espionage.

Topic Description: In this presentation, Cyber Security expert, Intelligence veteran and media commentator Cedric Leighton describes how big data has revolutionized intelligence gathering for both the public and private sectors. He traces the evolution of data exploitation by Intelligence and Law Enforcement agencies and compares that with what Google and Facebook do with data. He then analyzes the Snowden case and the public debate about privacy vs. security. Providing unique insight gained from his years as an Intelligence Officer, Leighton makes the case that data mining and exploitation are necessary intelligence and business functions in the Cyber Age, but they will require stringent Congressional and Judicial oversight.

Topic Description: In this presentation, Cyber Security and Leadership expert Cedric Leighton examines the qualities of leadership required in the Cyber Age, arguing that today's pervasive connectivity presents leaders with new challenges as they guide their organizations into unchartered territory. Because many of today's corporate and government leaders are products of an organizational culture that is no longer relevant, they have a hard time charting new strategies and cultivating the right kind of talent. Not only must organizations continually adapt to change, but HR structures and personnel systems need to do a better job of rewarding performance and spotting talent. Recognizing true talent is a skill leaders must cultivate and it cannot be done solely in the virtual world.

Topic Description: The US has entered a new era without a coherent national strategy, at a time when it really needs one. The much trumpeted "Pivot to Asia" risks being overcome by events in the Middle East, as the worsening Syrian Civil War threatens to spill into neighboring countries. The potential for a humanitarian catastrophe is very real, yet instead of leading, the US is abrogating its Great Power responsibilities without thinking of the consequences. Similarly,
the US has already lost incalculable amounts of Intellectual Property to Cyber Espionage and risks exposing itself to great damage from a Cyber Attack, yet it has been slow to re-invent itself to meet the challenges of the Cyber Age. In this presentation, Intelligence veteran, Cyber Security expert and National Security commentator Cedric Leighton points the way to the outlines of a new strategy that will not only safeguard America's interests, but set up the mechanisms for a reasonably secure world.