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Lesley Carhart

Cybersecurity expert and Director of Incident Response at Dragos

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Biography

Lesley Carhart is the Director of Incident Response for North America at the industrial cybersecurity company Dragos, Inc., leading response to and proactively hunting for threats in customers’ Industrial Control Systems (ICS) environments. Her mission at Dragos is to protect the world’s most critical infrastructure from adversaries who wish to do it harm. Dragos helps defend industrial organizations that provide us with the tenets of modern civilization: running water, functioning electricity, and safe industrial working environments. Lesley is recognized as a subject matter expert in cybersecurity incident response, regularly speaking on the topic at industry conferences and universities, as well as to news media. Following four years as a Principal Incident Responder for Dragos, Lesley now manages a team of incident response and digital forensics professionals across North America who perform investigations of commodity, targeted, and insider threat cases in industrial networks. Lesley is also a certified instructor and curriculum developer for Dragos’ incident response and threat hunting courses. Prior to joining Dragos, Lesley was the incident response team lead at Motorola Solutions. Following four years as a Principal Incident Responder for Dragos, Lesley now manages a team of incident response and digital forensics professionals across North America who perform investigations of commodity, targeted, and insider threat cases in industrial networks. Lesley is also a certified instructor and curriculum developer for Dragos’ incident response and threat hunting courses. Lesley is honored to be retired from the United States Air Force Reserves, and to have received recognition such as “DEF CON Hacker of the Year”, “SANS Difference Maker”, and “Power Player” from SC Magazine. In her free time, you may find Lesley volunteering at events for cybersecurity job seekers by organizing resumé and interview clinics. When not working, Lesley also enjoys being a youth martial arts instructor.

Speech Topics

  • Understanding Modern Cyberattacks: Thinking Like an Adversary

    Why do we have to complete cybersecurity awareness training? Why does our organization block specific websites? it's not just to frustrate us. There's really an important purpose! Lesley will break down the basics of modern cyberattacks - who conducts them, their typical lifecycle, and what the general objectives of adversaries are. To understand defense, we have to understand the adversaries we face in defending our homes and businesses. We will take a journey together into thinking like a cybercriminal, in order to understand why we put important cybersecurity measures in place in both our personal lives and in our work lives.

  • Building an Incident Response Program

    We do our best to build defenses to prevent cyberattacks in our organizations, but the reality is that any organization can be the victim of a cyberattack. It is always important to prepare for a worst case scenario, and that includes cybersecurity incidents. Lesley has spent a career responding to and investigating diverse cyberattacks, and professionally trains and tests the capabilities of incident response teams. This talk will discuss how to build a successful and healthy incident response program from a strategic, logistical, and tactical level - from constructing essential documentation, to engaging appropriate resources, and measuring and testing success.

  • Building the Cybersecurity Talent Pool

    The Cybersecurity industry is facing a critical shortage of skilled talent, as cyberattacks and their costs to businesses increase dramatically. Additionally, these positions are well-paying, interesting, and deeply impactful to society. Unfortunately, swathes of talent are not being reached - from underprivileged communities, to underrepresented minorities, to veterans. Lesley has been hiring, mentoring, and training cybersecurity talent for over a decade, and runs career and résumé clinics for prospective cybersecurity professionals across the United States. Learn how to select a cybersecurity niche, choose the right training, and seek a balanced and enjoyable cybersecurity career!

  • The Industrial Cybersecurity Landscape

    Critical infrastructure, such as water, electric power, oil and gas, and manufacturing are crucial to our modern society. Unfortunately, the cyber threats facing them are increasing - from state actors pre-positioning for future attacks, to ransomware gangs out for the money, to disgruntled insiders. As industrial technology (ICS) has converged with information technology and become increasingly connected, these systems are increasingly ripe for abuse. Lesley has spent a career responding to and conducting forensic investigations of intrusions into industrial computer networks, and will discuss the current threat landscape, proper preparation for cyberattacks against industrial networks, and what we must do as a society to improve the cybersecurity of our most critical systems.

Videos

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can I check Lesley Carhart's availability or request a quote?
    You can inquire about Lesley Carhart's availability or get a customized quote by contacting Key Speakers directly. Our team will help you determine fit, logistics, and budget options for your upcoming event.
  • What is Lesley Carhart's speaking fee?
    The typical range for Lesley Carhart's speaking fee is $7,000–$15,000. The low end of the fee range represents their standard virtual fee. The high end of the fee range represents their standard fee for a US-based in-person speaking engagement. Appearances which require an extended schedule of activities or international travel will possibly exceed this fee range. Speaker fees update frequently. To receive a personalized quote for Lesley Carhart to speak at your event, please consult with a Key Speakers advisor for up to date information and assistance.
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  • Why book Lesley Carhart through Key Speakers?
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Nick Espinosa

Nick Espinosa

An expert in cybersecurity and network infrastructure, Nick Espinosa has consulted with clients ranging from small businesses up to the Fortune 100 level for decades. Nick founded Windy City Networks, Inc in 1998 at age 19 and was acquired in 2013. In 2015 Security Fanatics, a Cybersecurity/Cyberwarfare outfit dedicated to designing custom Cyberdefense strategies for medium to enterprise corporations, was launched. A internationally recognized speaker, member of the Forbes Technology Council, TEDx Speaker, strategic advisor to humanID, regular columnist for Forbes, award winning co-author of a bestselling book “Easy Prey,” host of “The Deep Dive,” nationally syndicated radio show, on the Board of Advisors for Roosevelt University’s College of Arts and Sciences as well as their Center for Cyber and Information Security, the President of The Foundation for a Human Internet and is the Official Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Cyber Threat Coalition. Nick is known as an industry thought leader and sought after for his advice on the future of technology and how it will impact every day businesses and consumers.


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John Iannarelli

John Iannarelli

John Iannarelli retired from the FBI after more than 20 years of service, during which time he was a member of the FBI SWAT Team and participated in the investigations of the Oklahoma City Bombing, the 9/11 attack, the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the Sony Hack. Among his many FBI assignments, John previously served in Washington, D.C. as the FBI National Spokesperson and later a member of the Executive Staff of the FBI’s Cyber Division. John is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Computer Science in recognition of his contributions to the field of cyber investigations. An engaging and entertaining speaker, John is the author of four books, including Why Teens Fail and What to Fix, Information Governance Security and How to Spot A Terrorist Before It’s Too Late, just to name a few. John is now a highly sought-after keynote speaker, known for sharing his intriguing insights combined with his sense of humor.


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Jaimy Szymanski

Jaimy Szymanski

Jaimy Szymanski is a research analyst, author, speaker, and advisor, focused on organizational change brought by digital disruption. Zeroing in on the impact of technology on customer experience (CX) and behavior, Jaimy advises corporate leaders and change agents in managing digital transformation and innovation efforts to reach evolving consumers and employees.


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