Matthew Dalton
Chief Information Security Officer,
George Mason University
Monday, May 11, 2026 | 2:00PM–3:00PM ET | Online
EDUCAUSE Transforming Leadership Webinar Series | Navigating Security, Governance, and Organizational Excellence: Part 1
A Collaboration with Vantage Technology Consulting Group | 2026 EDUCAUSE Strategic Partner
A series designed to equip leaders with tools for enhancing security, leveraging data, and building successful information technology strategies.
The EDUCAUSE ‘Transforming Leadership’ webinar is one of a four-part series.
Note: Each webinar requires individual registration. Don’t miss out—secure your spot for each webinar.
Higher Ed CISO: From Tech Manager to Strategist
The CISO role in higher education has changed dramatically. What was once a back-office technical function is now a visible executive position with institution-wide impact.
Today's higher ed CISOs face a uniquely difficult environment: decentralized technology sprawl, growing compliance requirements, AI-driven threats, tight budgets, and burned-out teams. Managing all of this while earning a seat at the leadership table is no small task.
Drawing on a variety of perspectives, this session examines how the CISO role has evolved from perimeter defender to enterprise risk leader. Attendees will leave with practical insights into how peer security leaders are building collaborative security cultures, communicating effectively with boards and institutional leadership, and shifting security from an IT burden to a shared organizational responsibility.
Whether you are a seasoned or aspiring CISO, this session will give you a sharper strategic lens and language to lead with confidence.
Learning outcomes:
- Understand the strategic evolution of the higher ed CISO. Participants will articulate how the role has shifted from technical to strategic and understand the drivers behind that change.
- Communicate security as institutional risk. Participants will translate technical concepts into risk-based language for boards, executives, and non-technical stakeholders.
- Culture is a security control. Participants will explore embedding cybersecurity as a shared responsibility, engaging campus stakeholders, and building resilience within constrained budgets.
Additional Resources
Presenters
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Stephen Gay
Associate Vice President, Cybersecurity and CISO, Kennesaw State University -
Joanna Grama
Senior Principal, Vantage Technology Consulting Group -
Renee Peters
CISO, Northeast Community College
Resources & Downloads
Accessibility
EDUCAUSE provides real-time AI captioning for all online events, in the main room and also in breakout rooms. To request any additional accommodations and/or services, please send an email to [email protected] or call (303) 449-4430 for assistance.
Virtual Event Policies and Expectations
Please review the EDUCAUSE Virtual Event Policies and Expectations for detailed information. View EDUCAUSE Virtual Event Policies and Expectations→
