As chief information security officer at BT Radianz, one of the world's largest financial network service providers, Lloyd Hession has no trouble picking his battles when it comes to network vulnerabilities. He offers this simple philosophy: Know which ones to be fixed right away, and which ones can be safely put off for later. As a proactive measure, Hession uses Symantec's security intelligence service on BT Radianz's network, which spans 40 countries and connects more than 9,000 of the world largest financial firms with 150 exchanges. The service enables Hession and his staff to stay on top of the latest threats, allowing for adequate time to figure out what to do about them.

People in management positions usually feel the pressure to be risk takers. However, this trend doesn't apply to a chief information security officer. Hession says that people who manage security should avoid becoming a "dumping group" for every risk. He, in turn, expects the people responsible for the project to accept and acknowledge the level of risk they are introducing. To this end, Hession prefers to spend his time educating and making business people aware of risk, and helping them find ways to reduce it. When Hession decides to take a risk, he does so by hang gliding.

Bio

Lloyd Hession has been Chief Security Officer of BT Radianz Inc., the world's largest financial services extranet, since shortly after it's inception in 2000. Mr. Hession is responsible for the security of a global critical infrastructure spanning 40 countries and connecting over 9000 of the world's largest financial firms with over 150 exchanges, market data and financial information providers, all of whom rely on Radianz to route, execute and settle trades totaling trillions of dollars per day. Previously, Mr. Hession served as Chief Architect of Internet Security at IBM, and Managing Director of Security and Risk Management Practices at Giga Information Group (now Forrester Research. He has also helped shape public policy on security strategy and regulations by advising the Federal Reserve Board of Governors on the security of internet banking and brokerage systems, training federal financial examiners, and providing assistance to law enforcement and other government agencies on technical matters.

Resources

Companies  take to the Security Warpath

Pick  Your Security Battles

Production Credits

Elizabeth Ferrarini, Producer
Dana Farver, Executive  Producer, Communities Editor-in-Chief
Tom Parish, Audio Producer, Show  Host
Kimberly Stone, Web Development Manager
Scott Ebner,  Web Developer

After becoming CIO of the Southern Company, a Fortune 500, $14 billion regional electrical utility in the Southeast, Rebecca Blalock asked CEOs of the operating companies what they thought IT did well and what it needed to improve. She was shocked to hear one of the CEOs ask why the IT organization needed 1,000 people to support desktops. Blalock says, "We have brilliant people who can run an electric system, but they knew very little about what it takes to support the IT infrastructure." Her two key goals for IT became evident from this discovery: (1) deliver the cost efficiencies to keep the company competitive and provide customers with low rates, and (2) educate business unit leaders about the benefits of working closely with IT.

To accomplish those goals, Blalock took steps like implementing money-saving process improvements, and devising a Technology Showcase and a governance model that took the IT organization from obscurity to front-line innovation driver. Join us for an interview with Rebecca Blalock, senior vice president and CIO of the Southern Company, as she talks about being a force for positive change in her IT organization.

Bio

As senior vice president and chief information officer of Southern Company,  Rebecca Blalock directs information technology strategy and operations across the 120,000 square miles and 10 subsidiaries of Southern Company. Her responsibilities include about 1,000 IT employees and a $245 million budget. During her 25-year tenure with the company, she has held leadership positions in many departments, including economic development, and office of the CEO.

She works with many professional and community organizations, including the Georgia Aquarium IT Advisory Board, IT Association of the America's CIO Council, and the City of Atlanta IT Advisory Board. The Georgia CIO Leadership Council named her CIO of the Year for 2003.

Resources

Make It  One

Southern Company

Production Credits

Elizabeth Ferrarini, Producer
Dana Farver, Executive  Producer, Communities Editor-in-Chief
Tom Parish, Audio Producer, Show  Host