Hello ISSA! Thanks for reading through my bio and goals!
I’m Gene McGowan, a longstanding member of ISSA International and the ISSA Denver Chapter, honored as an ISSA Fellow.
I got my start in information security while serving in the US Navy. Before there were official roles like CISO, I was the “Automated Data Processing Security Officer”. From those humble beginnings I’ve continued to grow in the cyber security field with multiple certifications, new roles and increasing responsibilities. I’ve worked with organizations of all sizes, large insurance companies like USAA, vendors, and small to medium businesses struggling to stay secure. Most recently, I’ve joined the ranks at the SANS Institute as an instructor and course author.
Therefore, with decades of experience in the field, along with serving on the Denver Chapter as President, Sponsorship Director, Treasurer, and Programs Director, I would bring a unique insight to the ISSA Board. I often use analogies, much like Ted Lasso, to express things.
Here are a few goals for ISSA International, in a nutshell:
The field goals have been moved in the industry. The rules of the game have changed. Practitioners, both new and experienced, are finding it difficult to make an impact, innovate, and adapt.
ISSA is at the center of these conflicting crossroads. The industry is shifting towards embracing more automation, requirements from businesses are becoming more complex, meanwhile the adversary is becoming more sophisticated. We should be lighting the way through this “labyrinth” of
complexity and uncertainty, focusing on the individuals in the trenches, fighting the good fight.
Two immediate things come to mind:
We need an easier process to join ISSA and renew. Our “interface” is more than antiquated, out of date would be the nicest way to describe it. The world has shifted to a “mobile first” engagement – we are significantly behind and we must catch up to the massive amount of competing organizations in the same space.
Individual chapters are our life-blood. International should be doing everything possible to build up and support the local chapters. Meaningful change happens, one-on-one, face-to-face. The blocking and tackling of building a community of security practitioners would provide a significant return on investment. We should be providing a “fellowship” to each member.
