CHICAGO — Cyberattacks can cripple a company, and even an entire industry, depending on the severity. With headlines detailing new reports of companies being hacked more frequently, a data breach is a reality that many businesses face today. To address the growing concern, DePaul University is hosting a cyber-risk conference, “After the Breach.” The event will be held Dec. 2 in downtown Chicago at the DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd.

“Cyberattackers are getting ever more savvy and aggressive,” said Janine Spears, assistant professor in DePaul’s School of Computing. “Companies need to be armed with the tools to handle a data breach and effective strategies to bounce back quickly.”

DePaul academic and research units hosting the conference include the Arditti Center for Risk Management and the Center for Financial Services in the Driehaus College of Business; College of Computing and Digital Media; and College of Law. Additional sponsors include Sapient Global Markets; Protiviti Risk & Business Consulting; Global Association of Risk Professionals; Chicago Actuarial Association; Midwest Actuarial Forum; CAIA Association; and Society of Actuaries.

“Most people are not aware, but health care records sell for considerably more on the open market than credit card information,” said Thomas Edwalds, director of the Arditti Center for Risk Management in the Driehaus College of Business at DePaul. “That said, all institutions, be they banking, health care or government, have a stake in managing and preventing cyber risk.”

The conference, which is open to the public, will include a live hacking demonstration and panel discussions on discovery, disclosure and resilience. Cybersecurity expert Peter Singer will give an overview of balancing threats and solutions in the current cybersecurity landscape.

Singer is a strategist and senior fellow at the New America Foundation and founder of NeoLuddite, a technology advisory firm. He is considered one of the world's leading experts on changes in 21st century warfare. He has consulted for the U.S. Military, Defense Intelligence Agency and FBI. He served as coordinator of President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign defense policy task force and was named by the president to the U.S. Military's Transformation Advisory Group.

An author, Singer’s latest book, “Cybersecurity and Cyberwar: What Everyone Needs to Know,” is structured around answering key questions faced in the cyber age. It was described by the chairman of Google as "an essential read" and by the former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO as "the most approachable and readable book ever written on the cyber world." Singer has been named by the Smithsonian Institution-National Portrait Gallery as one of the 100 leading innovators in the nation, by Defense News as one of the 100 most influential people in defense issues, and by Foreign Policy magazine to its Top 100 Global Thinkers list.

The panel discussion on discovery will cover how to determine when a data breach has occurred and immediate steps to take. Participants include Eric Brelsford, special agent in the Cybercrime Division of the FBI; Liisa Thomas, partner and chair of privacy and data security practice at Winston & Strawn LLP; Don Ulsch, managing director of cybercrime and breach response at PwC; and Arlene Yetnikoff, director of information security at DePaul University. The moderator will be Tim Smith, vice president of client services at Sapient Global Markets.

The second panel will cover the topic of disclosure. It will focus on what a company should do first to begin the process of disclosure and repair. Panelists will discuss strategies for handling reputational risk, renewing customer confidence and the legal responsibilities of notifying patrons.

Speakers include Deborah Gersh, partner at Ropes & Gray; David Saltz, senior vice president and partner at Fleishman Hillard; David Standish, director of complex claims at American International Group Inc.; and Chris Sutherland, U.S. chief information security officer of global information technology risk management at BMO Financial Group. Moderator of the panel discussion will be Bill Annibell, chief technology officer at Sapient Government Services.

The panel on resilience will cover best practices for preventing an attack from happening again, and repairing the damage. Panelists include E. Larry Lidz, assistant vice president of information security and risk management at CNA Insurance; Steve Wernikoff from the Federal Trade Commission; and Kevin Wright, director at PwC. Randy Armknecht, associate director of IT consulting at Protiviti, will moderate the panel.

Registration is online at http://bit.ly/113WglI. A discounted early registration fee is available for $150 if purchased by Dec. 1.

For a full schedule of events and more information on the cyber-risk conference “After the Breach” visit http://bit.ly/14jv6t3.

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