Don Malloy Joins Us “In The Boardroom” To Discuss Symposium on Securing the IoT – October 29-31, 2018 Boston
In The Boardroom With… Mr. Don Malloy Securing the IoT
SecuritySolutionsWatch.com: Thank you for joining us today, Don, and congratulations on the growth and traction that you have achieved with the Symposium on Securing the IoT. Before discussing your series of events in greater detail, please tell us about your background and may we have a brief history regarding how you started this Symposium?
Don: Malloy: I was educated in Organic Chemistry worked as a Scientist in research for a few years then decided I needed to be more involved with people and received my MBA and transitioned to industry. I worked with sensor technology before there were connected devices and I also managed a crypto-semiconductor chip product line. I was employed with both hardware and software authentication companies and that evolved into The Initiative for Open Authentication. The organization developed algorithms for multi-factor authentication, that are open source solutions and now they are ubiquitous. I began to concentrate on IoT a few years ago and found similarities; not enough security and standards that are not followed nor are compatible. There is not much interoperability between systems, gateways, and devices. I would like to raise the awareness of the need for security and the solutions to the forefront of the industry.
SecuritySolutionsWatch.com: We are all familiar, unfortunately, with the headlines regarding breaches at Equifax, Uber, and Orbitz and the recent ransomware attack on the city of Atlanta. What is your perspective, Don…are things getting better or getting worse? What do you feel are the most pressing problems in IoT…where is the greatest need for security?
Don: Malloy: A key issue is that security is not being designed in, usually it is an afterthought and removed due to the extra cost involved. I think things will continue to get worse before they get better. Critical issues revolve around major institutions including power plants and hospitals. Companies are beginning to get the message but still, more than 50% of device users do not change the default password which may lead to a remote takeover of the device. These vulnerabilities along with many others will cause governments to create additional laws and regulations forcing adoption.
SecuritySolutionsWatch.com: The agenda of upcoming speakers and the companies they represent including Cisco, IBM, Siemens, and Verizon, just to name a few, is truly impressive. What do you hope to accomplish with the Symposium October 29-31, 2018 in Boston.
Don: Malloy: Our Boston Symposium will be a bit different from San Francisco, this time we will have more focus on authenticating Blockchain and security of healthcare devices. Our goal is to bring together the thought leaders that will raise the awareness level of the need for increased security and highlight some of the solutions that are being developed by both startup and major enterprises.
SecuritySolutionsWatch.com: Who should attend Don and what are the main benefits of attending Symposium on Securing the IoT?
Don: Malloy: The type of people who will benefit from attending the Symposium are: IT (CIOs and CISOOs) managers who will be monitoring and controlling these systems. engineers and developers of devices and systems, and users of these devices that are connected to the internet. The benefits include timely education and establishing relationships that will lead to a collaboration of the brightest minds to better secure the world of connected devices.
SecuritySolutionsWatch.com: What’s next for Symposium on Securing the IoT…any other events lined up?
Don: Malloy: Yes, we will be returning to San Francisco on March 25th-27th, 2019 for our west coast version and plan on going back to the east coast next fall.
SecuritySolutionsWatch.com: Care to mention any of your sponsors and partners?
Don: Malloy: Yes, we have Rivetz, Thales eSecurity, Dover Microsystems, Device Authority, Geisel Software, and Association partners include: Security Solutions Watch, EdgeX Foundry, Innovation Women, Open Connectivity Foundation, ZWave, Smart Insights and ABI Research and more to come.
SecuritySolutionsWatch.com: Thank you again for joining us today, Don, any other subjects you’d like to mention?
Don: Malloy: I would just like to add that we are in a “Brave New World” and everyone needs to make an effort to secure their devices and systems both at home and in the workplace by changing passwords regularly, using a password manager, being sensitive to phishing and scam attempts, backing up your data on a regular basis and coming to Boston in October!