Tammy Klotz, CISO at Covanta

Today’s CyAlliance Birds of a Feather Spotlight interview is with Tammy Klotz. Tammy was named the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Covanta on June 1, 2020!  Prior to going Covanta, Tammy completed her tenure as the CISO at Versum Materials where she was responsible for the Cyber Security Program which included Information Risk Management, Plant/OT Cyber Security, as well as IT Security, Risk and Compliance activities. Her career prior to Versum Materials, she worked at Air Products & Chemicals for 25 years in a variety of leadership roles.  Some highlights of her Air Products career include; IT Communications, Service & Business Relationship Management, global leadership of multiple IT support teams and IT Audit Manager.  

Tammy is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and is also Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC).  She is a Governing Body Member of the Philadelphia Chapter of Evanta, Board Member of Delaware Valley Cloud Security Alliance and is active in the Philadelphia Women & Cyber Security group.  Tammy was also the 2019 Finalist for T.E.N Information Security Executive of the Year for the Northeast & North America. 

It is such a great opportunity to have Tammy participate and be our CyAlliance Spotlight for this week!

Tammy thank you so much for your time - here are some quick fire questions to get us moving!

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Q:     Whether you are working virtually or at the office, what time do you go to work each day?

A:     Whether working virtually or at the office, my work day typically ‘starts’ by 8:30 am.

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Q:    How do you personalize your office?

A:   I personalize my office by decorating it with inspirational quotes and pictures of my family and friends. 

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Q:     Would you describe yourself as creative?

A:     Yes, I would describe myself as creative!  I am a visual learner and I am passionate about teaching.  I like to find visual cues/symbols that help my message resonate and leave my audience with a visual take-away as a reminder. 

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Q:     Do you have any quirky daily rituals? 

A:     Hmmm… I enjoy playing word games to wind down in the evening, Word With Friends, Wordscapes, Word Stacks, Word Cookies. 

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Q:     What keeps you up at night? 

A:     Literally… caffeine too late in the day will keep me up. Also, sometimes just too much ‘stuff’ running through my brain.

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Q:    What is the characteristic you most look for and admire in those that work with you? Most dislike? 

A:   The characteristics I most admire most are honesty and transparency.   I despise fake or arrogant people.

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Q:     Do you use social media much – personally? for work?  

A:     Personally, I scroll through FaceBook daily to and post occasionally to keep up with friends.  Professionally, I am active on LinkedIn.  No Twitter, Snapchat or Instagram for me!

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Q:     What accomplishment are you most proud of? 

A:     Personally or professionally?  Personally, I am most proud of raising my two daughters as a single mom.  Professionally, being part of an amazing IT team at Versum Materials that did a green field start up of an Entire IT function in a period of 18 months. This included infrastructure, applications, security program and an ERP system. 

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Q:     What is your greatest extravagance? 

A:     I am not a very extravagant person.

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Q:     What is the most overrated security technology? Most underrated? 

A:     I feel that the most overrated is any end point security, focus on protecting the data and the identity.  

As for the most underrated has to be training and awareness, your people need to be your strongest, your first line of defense. 

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Q:     What is the soundtrack for your career? 

A:     I have no idea!

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Q:     What book are you currently reading? 

A:     Currently I am reading the book Camino Winds by John Grisham. 

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Q:     Are there any things, through your career, you’ve been especially glad to no longer do? 

A:     Managing people… I like to think that I lead people now, not manage them. 

Tammy M- This has to be one of my favorite answers...

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Q:     How do you like to relax after work? 

A:     After work there are several ways I relax, a glass of wine, going for a walk in the neighborhood and having dinner with my family. 

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Q:     How do you create Work/Life Balance? 

A:     It is important that I have a flexible work arrangement that allows me to be where I need to be when I need to be there – whether that be work, my daughters’ activities/events, doctor appointments with my mom, mental health days, etc.  

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Q:     Which words or phrases do you use too often? 

A:     The words I use too often are “Ok?” and “Sorry”

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Q:     If you could try out any job for a day, what would you choose? 

A:     I think I would like to be a Funeral Director for a day.

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Q:     What would you say to your 18-year old self? 

A:     Take the time to figure out who you really are, what is most important to you and what truly makes you happy. 

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Q:     What is your Superpower? 

A:     My superpower is making people smile. ??

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Q:     If you could share one tip with the world, what would it be? 

A:     Be true to yourself and never lower your standards for anyone. 

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CyAlliance would like to thank Tammy for her time and candid responses. It is so important to find the other side us - the personal side - and share it! #weareallinthistogether #bettertogether

Also a BIG CONGRATULATIONS on your new position of CISO at Covanta! They are certainly lucky to have you as part of their leadership team!

If you would like to know more about Tammy Klotz, here is her Linkedin profile:

CyAlliance is all about bringing Cy"ALLIANCES" together! I certainly hope that you enjoyed learning a little more about Tammy. If you would like to do one of the spotlight interviews - just let me know! #WeAreBetterTogether!

#DoWhatYouLove #LoveWhatYouDo

Tammy Moskites, CEO/Founder, CyAlliance

#BringingCyALLIANCESTogether