May 2026 Event: Back to Basics - How We Get Cybersecurity Wrong and How to Do It Right

​Cybersecurity is more than tools and tech—it’s strategy, influence, and impact. In today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape, organizations continue to face breaches despite significant investments. Why? Because true security requires more than reactive defenses.

​Join us for an eye-opening session where you’ll discover how to shift from firefighting to foresight. Learn how Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) can become your secret weapon for driving meaningful change, building trust, and aligning cybersecurity with business success. This is your opportunity to step up, think bigger, and chart a path from practitioner to strategic leader.

​Featured Speaker

​Mea Clift is the Chief Information Security Officer at Cengage, and is a highly respected cybersecurity executive with decades of experience in innovation, leadership, and mission-driven strategy. She specializes in bridging cybersecurity with enterprise risk, guiding organizations on emerging threats, maturity models, and strategic resilience.

​A recognized leader in GRC, Mea champions frameworks like NIST, Zero Trust, and supply chain security. She is known for translating complex technical risks into clear, actionable insights for executives. A 2024 Cyversity Educator of the Year, published author, and mentor, she is also an advocate for diversity in cybersecurity through organizations like WiCyS, Cyversity, and ISACA.

​Key Topics Covered

• ​Why breaches still happen despite large cybersecurity budgets

• ​Transitioning from reactive security to proactive strategy

• ​Leveraging GRC to influence business outcomes

• ​Aligning cybersecurity with enterprise risk and business goals

• ​Building trust and credibility with executive stakeholders

• ​Practical applications of NIST frameworks and Zero Trust principles

​Why Attend

• ​Gain strategic insights beyond tools and technical controls

• ​Learn directly from an industry-recognized cybersecurity leader

• ​Elevate your role from practitioner to trusted advisor

• ​Network with peers across cybersecurity and technology sectors

• ​Walk away with actionable frameworks to strengthen your organization

​Agenda

• ​5:30 – 6:00 | In-person Networking

• ​5:55 – 6:00 | Virtual Session Starts

• ​6:00 – 6:15 | ISSA Chapter Business

• ​6:15 – 7:00 | Presentation

• ​7:00 – 8:00 | Food & Refreshments