CompTIA introduces new cybersecurity advisory council

CompTIA has announced the formation of a new Cybersecurity Advisory Council.

The council, comprised of 16 experts from a multitude of disciplines and organizations, will provide guidance on how technology companies can address pressing cybersecurity issues and threats and implement new practices and protocols to keep their customers safe.

“Recent events have underscored the dangerous cyber environment that all of us are operating in,” said Annette Taber, senior vice-president for industry outreach and relations at CompTIA, in a prepared statement. “Combatting these threats requires a collaborative effort that brings together expertise from across the cybersecurity spectrum.”

The council is co-chaired by Tracy Holtz, director of security solutions for Tech Data Corporation, and Kevin McDonald, chief operating officer and chief information security officer at Alvaka Networks.

“We recognize the real need to make industry-wide improvements if we are going to defend our companies, customers and industry reputations,” Holtz said. “The council will greatly expand outreach with the primary goal of changing collective behavior to reduce attacks and their associated negative impacts on the channel and their clients.”

Kevin Nikkhoo, CEO of XeneX, is the council’s vice chair.

Other members of the CompTIA Cybersecurity Advisory Council include Pierson Clair, managing director, Kroll, Inc.; Sean Cordero, head of cloud strategy, Netskope; Ron Culler, senior director, technology and solutions, ADT Cybersecurity; Kyle Hanslovan, CEO, Huntress Labs; Rebecca Herold, CEO and co-founder, The Privacy Professor; Taylor Hersom, founder and CEO, Eden Data; and Diana Kelley, co-founder, SecurityCurve.

Also, Christopher Morales, head of security analytics, Vectra AI; Ben Nowacky, senior vice president of product, Axcient, Inc.; Eric Pinto, senior director, channel, SOCSoter, Inc.; Frank Rauch, worldwide head of channels, Check Point; Joseph Steinberg, CEO, Joseph Steinberg, LLC; and J.J. Thompson, senior director, managed threat response, Sophos.

The council will begin its work by assessing cybersecurity changes and trends, as well as future developments likely to impact the market in the next three to five years. They’ll also look at the factors that affect the adoption of new cybersecurity practices and technologies, and how to overcome barriers and obstacles to broader adoption.