This month’s sponsor is Alvaka - thank you!
3:45–4:00 PM – Networking & industry updates
4:00–5:00 PM – Expert-led discussion & audience conversation
Post-event – Stay on for continued discussion if you’d like
July Discussion Leader: Col J. Carlos (JC) Vega, CISSP, US Army (retired) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcvega-cyber-colonel)
July Discussion Topic: Preparing for disruption. What your small business / nonprofit can learn from how the military plans ahead.
About the July Forum:
As President & General Dwight Eisenhower famously said, “In going into battle, plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” This month, JC Vega, CISSP, retired Army Colonel and cybersecurity strategist, joins us to unpack what that really means for small businesses and nonprofits faced with the inevitable disruptions of a cyber-event. You’ll walk away with a few battle-tested strategies (and maybe a new way to think about disruption).
About this month’s Discussion Leader:
J. Carlos (JC) Vega, CISSP is a cybersecurity and organizational strategist with over 30 years of leadership experience, including two decades focused on cyber operations at the national and enterprise levels. A retired U.S. Army Colonel, he has held executive roles such as CISO, CIO, CTO, and Chief of Staff, driving mission success in both public and private sectors, including leadership at the Army Cyber Institute, IBM Security, and Devo Technologies. As founder of Executive Security Advisors, he leads a team of military and business professionals providing strategic guidance in cybersecurity, governance, and risk management. JC is dedicated to building resilient teams, mentoring the next generation of cyber leaders, and bridging the gap between high-level strategy and operational execution. He’s also a valuable member of the SecureTheVillage Advisory Board.
About Cybersecurity Connect:
The SecureTheVillage Cybersecurity Connect Discussion Forum is NOT a webinar. It is an interactive gathering, and a place to connect, challenge assumptions, and gain fresh perspectives in a trusted, no-pressure environment, where cybersecurity professionals, IT leaders, attorneys, risk managers, educators, investors, and law enforcement come together to discuss challenges, exchange ideas, and strengthen our collective defenses.
What to Expect:
Engaged Discussions – No lectures, no passive listening. This is a place for real conversations.
Valuable Connections – Meet professionals who are driving cybersecurity initiatives in Southern California and across the country.
Actionable Insights – Hear real-world experiences, discuss strategies, and walk away with ideas you can apply.
Chatham House Rule:
Open discussion, candid insights, and trust in the room.
Who Should Attend?
Cybersecurity is bigger than any single industry.
If you work in or care about cybersecurity, this space is for you.
We welcome:
Cybersecurity & IT Professionals, CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, vCISOs, others
MSPs and IT Service Providers
Security & Privacy Attorneys
Accountants & Auditors
Cyber-Risk & Insurance Professionals
Victim Support Professionals
Business Professionals & Financial Institution Leaders
Investors
Cyber Educators & Students
Law Enforcement & Government Cybersecurity Professionals
Nonprofit & Philanthropy Cybersecurity Leaders
Invite your peers to apply to attend at this link.