In the SecureWorld Spotlight Series, we learn about the speakers and Advisory Council members that make our events a success. In Q&A format, they share about their professional journeys, unique experiences, and hopes for the future of cybersecurity—along with some personal anecdotes.
Bill Bowman, CISSP, CIPM, is the Chief Information Security Officer & Data Privacy Officer at financial software company Emburse. He serves on the Advisory Council for SecureWorld Boston and has spoken on our conference agendas. He has been a first-hired CISO at five different companies.
He is the father of five children and gives talks on helping families work through social media and technology challenges.
Get to know Bill Bowman
Q: Why did you decide to pursue cybersecurity as a career path?
A: When I was with Bright Horizons, many top-tier clients demanded InfoSec competence. I learned from them.
Q: What encouraged you to join your current organization (employer)?
A: I started 16 quarters ago when the company needed its first CISO.
Q: How would you describe your feelings about cybersecurity in one sentence?
A: We are in the golden age of cybersecurity.
Q: What has been your most memorable moment thus far working in cybersecurity?
A: Bad actors building Zero Days for us.
Q: If you had to choose, what's the one cybersecurity practice people can adopt that would have the greatest impact?
A: Eliminate passwords.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the cybersecurity profession?
A: Not knowing the business; not believing in yourself; not able to assess risk; not able to measure the program; not communicating effectively.
Q: What are the biggest opportunities facing the profession?
A: Moving the reporting line to risk (GC/CLO); using AI.
Q: When you tell people what you do for a living, what do you say?
A: My mom thinks I wear a hoodie to work.
Q: What advice do you have for someone considering cybersecurity as a career and/or someone new to the field who is looking to move up the career ladder?
A: Intern; get a mentor; work in different companies; network; ask questions; fail fast and learn.
Q: In honor of our 2024 conference theme, Legacies Untold: Revealing Cybersecurity's Hidden Figures, who is someone that you consider to be a Cyber Hero?
A: Phil Venables. When he was at Goldman Sachs, he brought me to New York City to learn from his team how to build our app stronger and safer. I then learned how to do TPRM [third-party risk management] through him and his team. Much of what I do today was from those early conversations.
Q: Lastly, what are you most looking forward to at your regional SecureWorld 2024 conference?
A: I am bringing my global team together for the first time around this conference. I cannot wait to get everyone together.
To connect with Bill Bowman and cybersecurity leaders from the New England region, attend the 20th annual SecureWorld Boston conference on March 13-14, 2024. Bill will be presenting "Moving from CISO to CRO: A Journey into Risk."
Continue to follow our Spotlight Series for more highlights from industry experts.
