2024 TECH VALLEY CYBERSECURITY SYMPOSIUM

Anna Mercado Clark, Partner, Chief Information Security Office at Phillips Lytle is a proven problem-solver who leverages emerging technology, innovative and customized e-discovery and forensic investigation workflows, and careful reading of the laws and regulations to resolve client problems using solutions that are right-sized, tailored and are sensitive to their particular industry, needs, limitations and concerns.

As leader of Phillips Lytle’s Data Privacy and Cybersecurity and e-Discovery Practice Teams and co-leader of the firm’s Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Team, Anna focuses on complex e-discovery and digital forensics, cybersecurity and data privacy, and complex commercial litigation. As a former assistant district attorney, she also handles white collar criminal matters and investigations.

Dr. Erdal Ozkaya is a global cybersecurity leader and strategist with over 25 years of experience in the IT and security fields. He is the Chief Cybersecurity Strategist and CISO at Xcitium, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions and services, where he is responsible for building the cybersecurity strategy and the information security risk management program, as well as raising cybersecurity awareness and training for internal teams, customers, and partners.

He holds a doctorate degree in information technology and multiple industry certifications, such as CCISO and MCSE. He is also a board member, advisor, lecturer, and author in various cybersecurity organizations and institutions, such as the National Cyber Group, Binalyze, Global CISO Forum, Charles Sturt University, and Australian Institute of ICT.

He has been recognized as a top 50 technology leader by IDC and CIO Online, and a global cybersecurity leader of the year by InfoSec Awards. His mission is to solve cybersecurity issues and enable digital transformation for businesses and society.

Ariel Pinto is the Chair and Professor of Cybersecurity, CEHC, UALbany SUNY. He has held academic and research positions at Old Dominion University, FM Global, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Virginia. With a doctorate in Systems and Information Engineering from the University of Virginia and degrees in Industrial Engineering from the University of the Philippines, Ariel has contributed extensively to the field through textbooks, journal articles, and numerous presentations. His expertise spans Cyber Risks, Project Risk Management, Decision-Making Under Uncertainty, and Extreme-Event Risk Analysis, bridging the gap between research and practical application.

Jim Lippie is the CEO of SaaS Alerts, a cybersecurity company that helps protect customers' SaaS applications.  He was the CEO of Thrive Networks, a Boston-based MSP, where he led the company through exponential growth, culminating in its acquisition by Staples in 2006, marking the first major MSP acquisition in the industry. As President of IndependenceIT, he propelled the company to become one of the fastest-growing cloud desktop companies globally (later acquired by CloudJumper).  Jim also founded Clarity Channel Advisors, helping hundreds of MSPs increase sales and profits through a cloud-first strategy. As GM and Senior Vice President at Kaseya, he oversaw the global MSP community and partner development.