SecureWorld Healthcare Virtual Conference 2026

Rick Halm guides clients in preparing for, responding to, recovering, and learning from cybersecurity and privacy incidents. Rick's breadth of experience within the incident response landscape—from leading incident response at the cyber insurance level, to experience at one of the nation’s largest health insurers, to his time in private practice—all blend together to allow him to approach cybersecurity and privacy incidents from a unique vantage point. As a U.S. Army veteran, he blends this vantage point with an ability to bring order and calm to complex and high-stress incidents.

With a tenure spanning 15 years in law enforcement and digital forensics, Jared Lobato's journey led in his current role as a Network Intrusion Forensic Analyst with the United States Secret Service. This position allows him to dig into the intricacies of cyber-crime, encompassing activities such as digital forensic analysis, mobile data recovery, and malware analysis/identification.  Jared supports various local, state, and federal agencies, bringing to the table his expertise in both detailed lab evaluations and on-the-ground analysis of computer systems and networks. Internationally, Jared has volunteered across borders with the State Department, teaching on subjects like cyber exploitation in El Salvador, network investigations in Mongolia and digital evidence for judges in Hungary. A consistent thread in his work has been his focus on financial crimes, to include network intrusions and skimming.

Dr. Eric Cole, DPS is a cybersecurity expert, entrepreneur, public figure, and best-selling author. Dr. Cole has built a solid reputation in the cybersecurity industry over the last three decades. His career has advanced from starting as a professional hacker for the CIA to becoming the 44th President's com-missioner on cyber security to currently advising companies and teaching professionals on how to implement security measures that serve as a business enabler. His accomplishments have earned him an in-duction into the Information Security Hall of Fame and have awarded him as a Cyber Wingman from the US Air Force. His recognition has caught the interest of current clients, who include international banking institutions, Fortune 500 organizations, Bill Gates, and Saudi Aramco. His entrepreneurial accomplishments include three successful exits building eight-, nine-, and ten-figure organizations. Se-cure Anchor Consulting is his fourth cyber security business venture. Aside from his seasoned technical expertise, Dr. Cole is a well-known public figure and author of various publications. He recently released his eighth book, Cyber Crisis, which debuted at #1 on the Wall Street Journal's bestseller list. Dr. Cole is currently focusing on fulfilling his purpose of being on this planet to end suffering in cyber-space and his mission to secure cyberspace, by making cyberspace a safe place to live, work and raise a family.

With more than two decades of experience in the field, I am a highly accomplished and forward-thinking Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) specializing in integrating security solutions across enterprises, fostering innovation, and enhancing business outcomes. I'm passionate about staying at the cutting edge of security initiatives, leading change, and propelling the growth of organizations.

Throughout my career, I've consistently demonstrated my ability to lead change and modernize initiatives with security at the forefront. I have an extensive track record of implementing effective policies, solutions, and frameworks to ensure long-term sustainability and drive organizational success. My expertise extends to talent management, fostering professional growth, and driving continuous learning.

My dedication to maximizing bottom-line results in complex situations, aligning technology with business objectives, and streamlining security operations has allowed me to excel in diverse industries, including healthcare and technology. My signature strengths encompass strategic planning and execution, technology risk management, governance, risk, and compliance, incident response, and more.

Esmond Kane brings more than two decades of expertise as a distinguished leader in information security, safeguarding vital sectors. With a rich leadership background at prestigious institutions like Harvard University, Mass General Brigham, and Steward Health Care, he also serves on the advisory boards of multiple companies, providing valuable insights on cyber matters. Kane excels as a trusted consultant to top executives and founders, ensuring secure IT operations, regulatory compliance, and resilient design. His stellar track record is a testament to his recognized authority in the field.

Astrid Lambert is a seasoned leader with expertise in information security, healthcare analytics, database administration, and website development. Known for her forward-thinking leadership and innovative approach, she currently serves as CISO/Senior Director in the IT department at Cambridge Health Alliance, where she oversees strategic initiatives critical to the organization's success.

Astrid's expertise has enabled Cambridge Health Alliance to make data-driven decisions, driving efficiency and improvements across multiple domains. A strong advocate for information security, she implements robust measures to protect sensitive healthcare data and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. She holds degrees in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Industrial Engineering and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Astrid is committed to making a positive impact on the broader healthcare community. She volunteers her time and expertise with various organizations, sharing her knowledge and helping others develop creative solutions to complex challenges.

Richard Staynings is a globally renowned thought leader, author, public speaker, and advocate for improved cybersecurity across the Healthcare and Life Sciences industry. He has served on various industry and international cybersecurity committees and presented or lectured on cybersecurity themes or concerns all over the world. He has advised numerous government and industry leaders on their healthcare security strategy and defensive posture and has served as a subject matter expert on government Committees of Inquiry into some of the highest profile healthcare breaches.

Richard is currently Chief Security Strategist for Cylera, a pioneer in the space of medical device and HIoT security. He is also author of Cyber Thoughts, a leading healthcare cybersecurity blog, teaches postgraduate courses in cybersecurity, health informatics and healthcare management at the University of Denver University College, and is a retained advisor to a number of governments and private companies.

A recovering CISO, with more than 25 years’ experience of both cybersecurity leadership and client consulting in healthcare, Richard has lived in over 30 countries and delivered innovative solutions to organizations in all of them. When he’s not on a plane or speaking at an event, he can usually be found in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA

Some of his more notable successes include work for: Amgen, Cisco, CSC (now DxC), PricewaterhouseCoopers, Intel, Microsoft, Zurich Financial, and a long list of hospital and health systems.

Tom has been part of the SecureWorld team for more than 14 years, having launched several of the regional conferences we hold today. Tom is currently responsible for SecureWorld Digital, which provides educational content to the SecureWorld audience. He produces, executes, and moderates the majority of the "Remote Sessions" webcasts while also working closely with the SecureWorld event directors to build relevant agendas at the regional conferences.

Kip Boyle is the Virtual Chief Information Security Officer of Cyber Risk Opportunities, whose mission is to help executives become more proficient cyber risk managers. He has over 24 years of cybersecurity experience serving as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and in other IT risk management roles for organizations in the financial services, technology, telecom, military, civil engineering, and logistics industries.

A member of the Healthcare Privacy and Compliance team, Stefanie Ferrari is consistently called on as a key team member when complex HIPAA issues arise. Stefanie works closely with clients across the healthcare industry on responding to cybersecurity and data privacy incidents, regulatory defense and state and federal privacy compliance. Her hands-on approach recognizes the importance of prioritizing patient care and dealing with the unique challenges healthcare providers face. When a breach occurs, Stefanie guides clients through the initial response and investigation, while helping to ensure their regulatory obligations are met. Stefanie also has significant experience in dealing with vendor-related breaches and appreciates the nuances that arise on both the healthcare provider and vendor sides.

Cedric Leighton is a CNN Military Analyst and a retired United States Air Force Colonel. On CNN, he has provided incisive commentaries on the Israel-Hamas War, the War in Ukraine, the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and numerous other conflicts around the world. His analysis has been seen by millions of viewers around the world and provided much needed context to some of the most pressing national security issues of our time. As a U.S. Air Force officer, Colonel Leighton served at U.S. Special Operations Command, the Joint Staff, and the National Security Agency, where he helped train the nation's cyber warriors. A Middle East combat veteran, he is the recipient of numerous military awards, including the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Bronze Star. After serving 26 years as a U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer, Col. Leighton founded a strategic risk consultancy and became the co-founder of CYFORIX, where he advises multinational businesses on developing better cyber strategies designed to reduce risk and unpredictability.

VJ Viswanathan is a global technology and security executive with more than 25 years of experience spanning AI, cloud and enterprise platforms, cybersecurity, privacy, and technology risk. He has held senior executive roles at large enterprises, including Keurig Dr Pepper, Comcast, HD Supply, and GE, where he led technology, cybersecurity, privacy, and risk programs across highly complex and distributed environments.

Today, VJ works with boards and executive teams on the security challenges created by AI, automation, and digital sprawl—helping leaders understand where traditional security models fall short and how to adapt. He currently serves as Founding Partner of CYFORIX and CEO of TORQE, focused on strategic defense and enterprise transformation.

Krista Arndt is the Associate CISO at SLUHN. As the Associate CISO, Krista is responsible for managing the security program's day to day operational effectiveness. Krista has been working in information security in various capacities for more than 15 years. In her previous roles, Krista assisted with developing and leading security programs in national healthcare, crypto, finance, and the Department of Defense. She currently holds her CISM and CRISC certifications and NHRA competition driver's license.

Krista is an active member of ISACA, serves as InfraGard Philadelphia Chapter’s Healthcare Sector Chief, serves on Neumann University's Business Advisory Council, and is Marketing Committee Chair for Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) Delaware Valley Affiliate. Through this service, Krista's mission is to give back to her community by providing mentorship and support for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, especially for women who wish to enter the field.

When off the clock, Krista takes her affinity for overcoming challenges to the garage and the race track, where she enjoys building and improving her own race car, competing as a driver in national drag racing events with her family, and using her racing as a forum to advocate for neurodiversity awareness and inclusion.

Amy E. Yee is a Fractional Chief Digital and Transformation Officer and the founder of Wired for Change, a podcast exploring digital impact and innovation. With more than eight years in senior executive roles, she has led enterprise-wide digital and cybersecurity transformations across sectors, including healthcare. Amy brings deep expertise in human-centered design, digital strategy, and product development, and has advised Fortune 500 companies, tech startups, and venture capital initiatives. A recognized speaker and thought leader, she also serves on nonprofit and academic boards, including Carleton University’s Systems and Engineering advisory board and the board of Kemptville District Hospital.

Ethan Muntz is a Strategic Threat Analyst at Health-ISAC, where he specializes in identifying emerging threats to the global health sector and developing proactive risk mitigation strategies. With a strong background in Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and dark web investigations, Ethan previously served as a task force member for the Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence Initiative and led cybercrime operations at the Center for International Cyber Intelligence.
He holds a Master of Science in Cyber Security and Privacy from the University of Central Florida and a B.S. in Global Security and Intelligence Studies. His expertise spans machine learning, incident handling, and geopolitical analysis, supported by his specialization in Chinese and Asian studies.