Last week, the SIM Atlanta Chapter gathered for an insightful evening on “Battling Ransomware: Perspectives from the C-Suite.” Our panel, moderated by Paula Wagner, brought together some of the brightest minds in the Atlanta cybersecurity community:
?? John Dickson, CISO - Colonial Pipeline
?? Monique Hart, CISO - Piedmont Healthcare
?? Kevin Kerrigan, CIO - Fulton County
?? Key Takeaways from Our Panelists:
?? Ransom Decisions: If you’re ever in the position, avoid paying ransom if possible—but know your plan!
??♀? Practice Makes Perfect: Continuously run recovery drills to refine your response.
?? Beyond IT Recovery: Ransomware impacts business continuity, not just IT—prepare for organization-wide impacts.
?? Strengthen Partnerships: Building strong relationships with leaders across all business functions is crucial.
?? Network for Success: Connect, learn, and grow from your peers. This is where SIM shines—bringing leaders together to share insights and support.
Thank you to our incredible panelists and our engaged audience! This discussion reminded us of the value of having a strong network and the vital support a SIM membership offers for building lasting professional relationships beyond your organization.
Ephraim R. McLean can also attest to the value of building long lasting relationships. Present at the event, Ephraim is the original founder of the Atlanta SIM chapter. He was recently inducted into the SIM National Hall of Fame recognizing his significant and outstanding contributions. Thank you Ephraim for your longstanding support.
