Cybersecurity Experts The Howlers

Tom Kellermann is the Head of Cybersecurity Strategy for VMware Inc.  Previously Tom held the position of Chief Cybersecurity Officer for Carbon Black Inc.  Prior to joining Carbon Black, Tom was the CEO and founder of Strategic Cyber Ventures. In 2020, he was appointed to the Cyber Investigations Advisory Board for the United States Secret Service.  On January 19, 2017, Tom was appointed the Wilson Center’s Global Fellow for Cyber Policy.

Tom previously held the positions of Chief Cybersecurity Officer for Trend Micro; Vice President of Security for Core Security and Deputy CISO for the World Bank Treasury. In 2008 Tom was appointed a commissioner on the Commission on Cyber Security for the 44th President of the United States. In 2003 he co-authored the Book “Electronic Safety and Soundness: Securing Finance in a New Age.”

Karen Worstell, Sr. Cybersecurity Strategist and Howler for VMware, is well known today for her work as a CISO for iconic brands such as Russell Investments, Microsoft, and AT&T Wireless. She is one of the pioneer leaders of all aspects of information and internet security serving in research and consulting roles at Boeing Research and Technology, SRI International, NIST, Aerospace Industries Association, US Department of Commerce Computer Systems Security and Privacy Advisory Board, and multiple standards bodies.

As an author and industry luminary, Worstell frequently contributes to various publications and speaks at global industry events on a range of topics including security, innovation, creativity and strategies for improving representation and equity for women in the Tech workforce.  She is a contributing author to the 6th ed of the Computer Security Handbook (Wiley), and author of Governance and Control for Cutting Edge IT (ITGI) and Your Amazing Itty Bitty Book on Personal Data Protection (IttyBitty® Books).

Worstell holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Washington, and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Pacific Lutheran University and an MA in Jewish Studies from MJTI.

Rick McElroy, Principal Cybersecurity Strategist for VMware, has 24 years of information security experience educating and advising organizations on reducing their risk posture and tackling tough security challenges. He has held security positions with the U.S. Department of Defense, and in several industries including retail, insurance, entertainment, cloud computing, and higher education.

McElroy’s experience ranges from performing penetration testing to building and leading security programs. Rick is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), a Certified Information Security Manager (CSIM), ] Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) and Certified in Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK).

As a United States Marine, McElroy’s work included physical security and counterterrorism services. His current role takes him all over the world working with organizations to improve their security strategies and speaking on security and privacy.

James Alliband is VMware Manager, Product Marketing & Senior Security Strategist. Joining VMware in January 2020, he helps communicate, develop and improve the security strategy and vision with prospects, customers and partners. James is responsible for evangelising the intrinsic security product portfolio, product launches and listening to requests for product requirements and improvements. Being a product marketer, James assists VMware’s customers in understanding the full capabilities of the products to get the most out of the technology and advances in upcoming releases. James is also an active member of VMware engineering department, influencing the direction of the intrinsic security business on behalf of EMEA and APJ customers and prospects.

James has spent his entire career in IT, Technology and Security, where he has held support, consultancy and product specialist roles. A strategic thinker he has maintained influence in helping shape their direction, promotion and strategy.

James is also a football referee, in the Uk, working for the Football Association. He translates his strategic views, communication skills and calm persona to the pitch to make sharp decisions and implement the laws of the game.

David Balcar is a Security Strategist at VMware. With over 18 years in security, David has extensive knowledge and experience in security research, network penetration testing, incident response, and computer forensics. David is also a noted featured speaker at global security conferences presenting on subjects including security trends, penetration testing, top threats and network security hardening. David is also a member of the High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA).

At VMware, David is responsible for the presales activities of the VMware Carbon Black portfolio that includes: VMware Carbon Black EDR, VMware Carbon Black App Control, VMware Carbon Black Cloud Endpoint, VMware Carbon Black Cloud Enterprise EDR, VMware Carbon Black Cloud Audit and Remediation & VMware Carbon Black Cloud Managed Detection.

Craig is responsible for helping VMware customers in their Security transformation journey. Prior to his current position, he served tenure as an Enterprise Architect, Security Architect and Governance, Risk and Compliance consultants with VMware in EMEA, and companies such as Capgemini Consulting and Accenture. He has a background in psychology and human performance, and holds many qualifications and certifications including CISSP-ISSMP and VCP-DV 6.7.

Ryan Hendricks, Senior Manager of Training for VMware, 15 years of information security and intelligence experience. His first venture in the field started while working intelligence operations for the U.S. Navy and then continued in the government and private sector as an educator, facilitator, consultant, and advisor on a multitude of information technology and cybersecurity principals.

Ryan holds many certifications covering hardware, networking, operating systems, and information security. He worked as a trainer for the U.S. Department of Defense educating hundreds of soldiers, civilians, and contractors on everything from military communication systems to the EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certifications in addition to creating and maintaining several virtual labs, physical labs, and education platforms.

Ryan currently supports all product training operations at VMware to include creating content, developing labs, updating materials, piloting and expanding the certification programs, mentoring the training team, and educating anyone who is willing to learn. A supporter of information security who believes educated staff and end users is critical to a company’s strong security posture.

Jared Myers is a Sr. Threat Researcher on the VMware Threat Analysis Unit, and the Nation State and Advanced Tactics group lead. Jared has over 15 years of experience in Incident Response, Digital Forensics, Threat Intelligence, and researching complex threat groups and malware families. At VMware he primarily focuses on reverse engineering malware and working with customers and partners to provide analysis and expertise. Currently Jared is also an Adjunct Professor at Steven University in their Cyber Forensics graduate program, as well as a guest lecturer at George Mason University in their memory forensics and malware analysis courses. Prior to Carbon Black Jared was an incident responder and reverse engineer with RSA Security, as well as an intrusion analyst and reverse engineer at the Department of Defense Computer Forensics Laboratory. Jared began his career in Law Enforcement working investigations at the state and local level, as well as serving on different Federal Bureau of Investigation task forces.

As VMware national security strategist, Eric O’Neill is a thought leader on a wide range of issues, including counterterrorism and national security matters. Eric O’Neill has worked as an FBI counterterrorism and counterintelligence operative, a national security attorney and as a corporate security consultant.

In 2001, Eric O’Neill helped capture the most notorious spy in United States history: Robert Hanssen, a 25-year veteran of the FBI.  In the three months preceding Hanssen’s arrest, Eric was selected to work undercover to gain Hanssen’s trust and use that relationship to draw the traitor out of deep cover.

Eric O’Neill is also the author of Gray Day: My Undercover Mission to Expose America’s First Cyber Spy. Eric O’Neill presents keynotes internationally about espionage and national security, cybersecurity, fraud, corporate diligence and defense, and spy hunting.

Ed Murphy joined Carbon Black in 2016, and currently leads the design and development of new endpoint security technologies for VMware. In this role Ed works closely with VMware’s Threat Analysis Unit to ensure that our products stay ahead of the evolving security landscape. 

Prior to joining VMware, Ed earned a master’s degree in Computer Security and spent 10 years supporting numerous government agencies in all aspects of the security field. Including but not limited to network packet analysis, malware reverse engineering, and embedded device exploitation.