SecureWorld Houston 2026

Rodney Beard, CISSP, is a cybersecurity consultant with Cyber Risk Opportunities LLC, bringing more than 20 years of experience protecting organizations across defense, government, and financial services sectors.

Most recently, Rodney served as Information Security Officer at Rivermark Community Credit Union, a $2B institution in Oregon, where he built and led the enterprise security program for seven years. His responsibilities included penetration testing, security architecture, incident response, vendor risk management, and developing security awareness training for employees.

Prior to financial services, Rodney spent eight years as an IT Specialist with the U.S. Army at White Sands Missile Range, where he served as Information Management Officer responsible for IT security across 22 regional locations and 250 employees. He implemented security policies aligned with NIST, Federal, and DoD standards while managing a program portfolio valued at $2.5 million.

Rodney has also taught technology courses as an Adjunct Instructor at Vista College, preparing students for CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications.

He holds the CISSP certification, CompTIA Security+, Network+, and A+, along with multiple Microsoft certifications. Rodney is based in Casper, Wyoming, and works remotely with clients nationwide.

As the Cyber Practice Leader, Gabrielle Bryant focuses on the strategic and operational vision regarding how cyber exposures will impact our clients as well as researching methodologies to mitigate emerging cyber threats and their intersectionality with other lines of coverage.

Before becoming Cyber Practice Leader, Gabrielle Bryant was a Cybersecurity Advisory Consultant responsible for delivering targeted technical assessments and conducting cybersecurity risk assessments using industry standard frameworks.

Gabrielle held the position as Senior Cyber Broker with Aon’s Cyber Solutions Southwest team, which provided her with a strong foundation in Cyber and Professional Liability risks and was also an Account Executive/Broker with the Aon Ascent team, which focuses on small to medium sized business.

Gabrielle earned a M.Sc. from Saint Mary's University of MN and a Bachelor in Business Administration degree in Risk Management and Insurance from Baylor University.

As a Director-level BISO at Leidos, Jo Justice, with delegated CISO authority, leads risk-based security decision making. Additionally, she provides strategic cybersecurity leadership, architectural design direction, and risk-based governance oversight to align cybersecurity initiatives with enterprise business objectives.

With more than 30 years in IT and cybersecurity, Jo has led global cyber defense initiatives, enterprise endpoint transformations, and major M&A security integrations. But beyond her technical and strategic leadership, Jo is recognized for something equally powerful, her passion for developing people within the cybersecurity space.

Jo believes one of the greatest risks in cybersecurity today isn’t technology, it’s burnout. Especially among high-performing women who often over function, overdeliver, and overextend. Her mentorship philosophy centers on three principles: Identify Potential, Inspire Growth, and Integrate Purpose. She is deeply committed to mentoring cyber inspired individuals within cybersecurity to lead sustainably, set boundaries without guilt, and build influence without sacrificing themselves in the process.

As Co-Chair of the NIST NICE Modernize Talent Management Working Group, Jo helps shape national strategies to strengthen and retain cybersecurity talent. She is also a co-author of the 2025 NIST white paper Empowering Organizations to Retain Skilled Cybersecurity Talent for Long-Term Success, advancing practical approaches to workforce sustainability.

Jo holds a Master of Science in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance and certifications including CISSP, GPEN, GCIH, SSCP, and GSTRT. She serves on the SANS GIAC Advisory Board and has recently been accepted into the SANS Technology Institute Master of Science in Information Security Engineering (MSISE) program.

At her core, Jo is a mentor, builder of leaders, and advocate for high-capacity professionals who deserve high-impact careers without high personal cost.

Gordon Groschl serves as City of Hope’s system vice president and chief information security officer (CISO), leading the organization’s corporate security, IT compliance and data privacy functions.

In this role, Groschl is responsible for safeguarding City of Hope's proprietary and operational interests through comprehensive internal and external controls, while setting the culture and security principles critical to the organization's growth and mission. A nationally recognized cybersecurity leader, he joined City of Hope in 2026.

Groschl previously served as chief information security officer and director of health care technology management at Texas Children’s Hospital, consistently ranked as the best children's hospital in Texas and among the top in the nation. With more than 25 years of experience in cybersecurity, infrastructure, system architecture, and health care technology, he has led large-scale transformation initiatives, including a $65 million infrastructure security modernization effort, and achieved significant improvements in threat detection and response, ransomware risk reduction, and overall cybersecurity resilience.

Groschl has received multiple industry honors, including Top Global CISO, CISOConnect A100, and recognition as a hospital and health system CISO to know from Becker’s Hospital Review. He holds a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and has completed advanced executive leadership and health care IT programs.

Marcus McCauther is a native Houstonian and Senior Cybersecurity Analyst at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University and brings a background in digital forensics from law enforcement. Marcus has hands-on experience aligned with NIST frameworks and regulatory standards including HIPAA, CJIS, and FERPA, with a focus on securing high-risk healthcare environments.

Ashish Shah is a Director of Cybersecurity at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he has oversight of Cybersecurity Risk Management, Vulnerability Management, Identity & Access Management, and Account Services. With a strategic focus on safeguarding the institution, Ashish joined MD Anderson in September 2025 and brings over 20 years of experience in building resilient cybersecurity programs across multiple organizations. He holds 3 recognized certifications in Cybersecurity and has presented at multiple conferences in the past. Ashish is passionate about fostering a culture of security awareness and is committed to empowering teams to navigate the evolving threat landscape with confidence.

Eric Botts is Director, Global Cybersecurity Program and Assistant Professor of International Studies at the University of St. Thomas teaching courses on Cyber Warfare, Cyber Ethics, Geopolitical Risk, Digital Governance, and Introduction to Enterprise Cybersecurity. Mr. Botts is a lecturer at the Women’s Institute of Houston teaching a course entitled The World According to Eric dealing with current events in geopolitics. Mr. Botts received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from St. Mary’s University and Master of Security Management from the University of Houston Downtown. After serving for 31 years in the U.S. Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer (Santo Domingo, Seoul, Dublin, and Nassau), Assistant Director of the Houston Passport Agency and an Information Systems Security Officer. During his federal career he served as Program Chairman of the Gulf Coast Federal Safety Council, and as a member of the Federal Executive Board. Mr. Botts teaching experience includes the University of Houston Downtown for courses in cybersecurity and organizational resilience in the Masters of Security Management Program.

Mr. Botts retired and went to work in the private sector. In the private sector Mr. Botts worked as a security project manager and consultant for Swailes & Co. Inc. specializing in cyber security, risk management, business continuity, due diligence, travel security, and investigations until 2020. Mr. Botts is a founding board member of the Foreign Policy Alliance and has spoken on foreign policy issues to civic groups, colleges, and the media. In the cyber security community, he sits on the Secure World Advisory Council, is a member of the Internet Governance Forum USA. He authored and published two novels Conversations with An Alien (2004) and The Circle - Portrait of an American Family (2015).

Cybersecurity executive with 18+ years of experience supporting organizations, boards, and founders on cyber risk, governance, and security transformation during growth and change.

David's work centers on aligning cybersecurity strategy with business objectives, strengthening governance and risk management, and guiding leadership teams through complex transitions across regulated industries, including aviation, energy, construction, and professional services.

He advises and invests in early-stage cybersecurity startups, serving as a non-fiduciary advisor, angel investor, and limited partner in multiple cybersecurity-focused investment funds. He provides experience-based guidance on customer discovery, ICP definition, enterprise buyer expectations, product-market alignment, and go-to-market readiness, with a strong focus on connecting founders with CISOs, design partners, and senior technology leaders to accelerate validation and early adoption.

He brings a background spanning enterprise cybersecurity, IT strategy, compliance, and data privacy, with a proven ability to translate technical risk into clear business impact for executive and board audiences. I remain active in the cybersecurity community through board service, speaking, and mentorship.

MBA (Information Technology), BS in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance, 20+ certifications, including CISSP, CISM, and CIPM.

David believes strong cybersecurity is built on trust, governance, and clear communication.

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.

Bryan Perkola, CISSP, CISM, is a passionate cybersecurity professional with more than 40 years of IT experience and 20 years of cybersecurity expertise in organizations across manufacturing, retail, and finance. Bryan holds multiple bachelor's degrees from the University of Houston and received his master’s degree in Cybersecurity from WGU, in addition to numerous industry certifications. Bryan’s work experience has focused on mid-sized organizations, where he was intimately involved with multiple disciplines, including marketing and human resources, which provided him with unique perspectives and understanding for developing creative and effective security awareness programs that promote a strong cybersecurity culture within the organization. This led Bryan to author the book, “Energized Cybersecurity Culture,” which details techniques to make your workforce and active part of your cybersecurity defensive stack.

Beata is an experienced Chief Information Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the oil & gas, energy, airspace, healthcare, and government industries. She is skilled in Strategic Planning, Healthcare Industry, Business Process Improvement, Team Building, and U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). She is a strong information technology professional with a Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer Science from Texas A&M University.

Beata is an accomplished and proven executive with more than 20 years of experience as a partner, broker, and enabler of technology solutions and approaches that help maintain business continuity and promote growth. She's a leader in managing IT operations and infrastructure, leveraging technology as a vital foundation for the business's strategies and success, with the last 18 years focused on healthcare.

Jamal Balametov is Director of IT and Security at MasterWord Services, a language services company providing interpretation and translation in 250+ languages to Fortune 500 clients, government agencies, and global institutions. With over 25 years of experience in IT leadership, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity compliance, Jamal has directed international teams across the US, India, and Mexico, led enterprise-scale Azure migrations, and built compliance programs from the ground up. At MasterWord, he led the company's successful ISO 27001:2022 certification with a three-person IT team and is currently guiding the organization through the StateRAMP program. His career spans enterprise consulting, commercial real estate, and language services—always with a focus on aligning IT strategy with business goals while managing risk and driving operational efficiency.

As a Director-level BISO at Leidos, Jo Justice, with delegated CISO authority, leads risk-based security decision making. Additionally, she provides strategic cybersecurity leadership, architectural design direction, and risk-based governance oversight to align cybersecurity initiatives with enterprise business objectives.

With more than 30 years in IT and cybersecurity, Jo has led global cyber defense initiatives, enterprise endpoint transformations, and major M&A security integrations. But beyond her technical and strategic leadership, Jo is recognized for something equally powerful, her passion for developing people within the cybersecurity space.

Jo believes one of the greatest risks in cybersecurity today isn’t technology, it’s burnout. Especially among high-performing women who often over function, overdeliver, and overextend. Her mentorship philosophy centers on three principles: Identify Potential, Inspire Growth, and Integrate Purpose. She is deeply committed to mentoring cyber inspired individuals within cybersecurity to lead sustainably, set boundaries without guilt, and build influence without sacrificing themselves in the process.

As Co-Chair of the NIST NICE Modernize Talent Management Working Group, Jo helps shape national strategies to strengthen and retain cybersecurity talent. She is also a co-author of the 2025 NIST white paper Empowering Organizations to Retain Skilled Cybersecurity Talent for Long-Term Success, advancing practical approaches to workforce sustainability.

Jo holds a Master of Science in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance and certifications including CISSP, GPEN, GCIH, SSCP, and GSTRT. She serves on the SANS GIAC Advisory Board and has recently been accepted into the SANS Technology Institute Master of Science in Information Security Engineering (MSISE) program.

At her core, Jo is a mentor, builder of leaders, and advocate for high-capacity professionals who deserve high-impact careers without high personal cost.

Shashwat Sehgal is the Co-Founder and CEO of P0 Security. He’s spent most of his career building security and observability products for developers, DevOps, and security teams. Shashwat is passionate about solving the problem of cloud access security and helping security engineers control "who has access to what sensitive resources" in any environment. He enjoys playing tennis, spending time with his family, teaching his son how to play chess, and geeking out on all things security.

Berris Bramble holds a Computer Science degree, is a founding member of the local InfraGard Technology Cross Sector Council, and regularly volunteers at local cyber conferences and events. He is a 20-year active member in the local InfraGard Houston chapter participating at the Board and leadership levels. He has spent the bulk of his career in Oil & Gas with the longest tenure of 14 years at Saudi Aramco. but have since moved over to the Commercial Real Estate industry. He holds a general class license in Amateur Radio, found a new love for e-biking and is an avid DefCon attendee. He has 23 years of cyber expertise across many disciplines.

An accomplished IT Security leader, John has more than 20 years’ experience spearheading the formation and optimization of several exceptional cybersecurity programs and teams across multiple industries, to include Gaming/Entertainment, Healthcare, and Manufacturing.

John serves as the CISO for JB Poindexter & Co. He leads the cybersecurity program and mission to protect the organization against cyber threats while supporting core business and operational objectives.

Rori Boyce-Werner served previously as the Information Security Compliance Program Manager for the University of New Hampshire, and prior to that as the Associate Director of IT Client Services and Identity and Access Management Service Owner.

She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration and a Masters of Cybersecurity Policy and Risk Management. She spent the majority of her career in financial services specializing in bridging the gap between the business and IT through business analysis, business process design/redesign, project/program management.

Retired U.S. Navy veteran and cybersecurity Leader. Passionately helping to build and transform information security strategies and programs that work for the business.