Jerod Brennen
By day, a cybersecurity career coach, strategic advisor, virtual CISO, public speaker, and storyteller.
By night, a husband, father, writer, filmmaker, martial artist, musician, and gamer. He's earned every gray hair in his beard, having spent his career serving as a cybersecurity leader in public utilities, retail, higher education, consulting, and technology.
He loves to share what he's learned over the years every chance he gets: at local and regional professional meetings, at larger conferences, online via blogs and podcasts. He's published multiple online information security courses with LinkedIn Learning and taught courses in person, both domestically and internationally.
He brings a unique combination of perspective and experience to the table when helping organizations improve their cybersecurity programs and loves to help organizations and individuals make those same improvements, focusing on the business value of an effective, efficient, forward-thinking cybersecurity program.
At the end of the day, he just wants to help folks get one step closer to doing what they want to do securely.
Kim Milford
In April 2023, Kim Milford accepted the role of Deputy CIO and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. In this role, Ms. Milford draws on her experience in research and education to lead strategy, direction, and innovation related to cybersecurity, identity protection, and privacy. Prior to this role, Kim was the Executive Director and CISO at the REN-ISAC, working with research and education institutions and partners to provide member institutions with the information and tools to better defend their environments from threats. Her service in higher education began in 1998 having held leadership positions at Indiana University, the University of Rochester, and University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Kim provides cybersecurity expertise and presentations at national and regional conferences and seminars. She guest lectures and teaches cybersecurity courses and training and has authored/co-authored many articles on the subject. Ms. Milford has a B.S. in Accounting from Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri and a J.D. from John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois.