Former White House CIO to share cybersecurity insights at day-long technology summit

WHAT:

News media representatives are invited to attend a day-long technology summit in Birmingham, Alabama next week hosted by C Spire Business for business executives and information technology professionals where experts will share the latest technology, cybersecurity, cloud and collaboration solutions.

The C Spire Business 2019 Bytes & Bites Technology Solution Summit on Thursday, April 18 will feature Theresa Payton, the first female to serve as White House CIO under former President George W. Bush, as the event's main speaker.   C Spire Business is a unit of C Spire, a diversified telecommunications and technology services company.

A national cybersecurity expert, Payton will cover a variety of topics in her "Hype or Reality? Your Workplace and Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, AI, Machine Learning and the IoT" remarks set for 11:30 a.m. in the Electra Room of the Vulcan Park and Museum, 1701 Valley View Drive in Birmingham.

Named by Security Magazine as one of the top 25 most influential people in security, Payton is one of America's leading authorities on security and intelligence operations.  As White CIO, she oversaw IT operations for Bush and his staff from 2006 to 2008 during a period of fast-paced technological change and escalating cyber threats.

Cybersecurity is a growing concern with experts predicting that various forms of cybercrime, including damage and destruction of data, stolen money, lost productivity, theft of intellectual property, theft of personal and financial data, embezzlement and fraud, will cost businesses worldwide $6 trillion annually by 2021, up from $3 trillion in 2015.

Payton, who has also held executive roles in banking technology at Bank of America and Wells Fargo, is expected to share insights on how businesses can harness technology to achieve goals while incorporating safeguards to protect enterprises from cyber criminals. Over 1,000 business and IT professionals are expected to attend the summit.

The event also will host panel discussions on security and collaboration featuring industry experts from Cisco, DellEMC, C Spire Business, Microsoft and Polycom. Admission is free and the public is invited to learn about the latest trends in technology, attend panel discussions, view technology demonstrations and enjoy food, refreshments and live music.

"As evidenced by the recent cyberattacks on political parties, major businesses and social media companies, executives need to be vigilant by developing and implementing, if necessary, a comprehensive plan to protect their company's valuable data and software programs," said Don Monistere, general manager of C Spire Business.

Monistere said C Spire Business offers advanced connectivity, cloud, software, hardware, communications, professional services, cybersecurity, business continuity and technology support in a single, seamless, managed IT solution portfolio.  "From desktop to data center, we help customers work smarter, faster and more secure." 

To learn more about the summit or to register to attend, go to https://events.cspire.com/bytesandbites2019. 

WHEN:

Thursday, April 18, 2019

11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: 

Vulcan Park and Museum

1701 Valley View Drive

WHO:  

• Theresa Payton, former White House CIO in Bush administration
• Don Monistere, general manager, C Spire Business
• Business and IT professionals (over 1,000 expected to attend)