Former White House CIO to share cybersecurity insights at Alabama technology summit

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- C Spire Business will host a day-long technology summit here next month for business executives and information technology professionals where experts will share the latest technology, cybersecurity, cloud and collaboration solutions.

The C Spire Business 2019 Bytes & Bites Technology Solution Summit on Thursday, April 18 will feature Theresa Payton, the first female to serve as White House CIO under former President George W. Bush, as the event's main speaker along with panel discussions, technology vendor booths, food, refreshments and entertainment.

A national cybersecurity expert, Payton will cover a variety of topics in her "Hype or Reality? Your Workplace and Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, AI, Machine Learning and the IoT" talk set for 11:30 a.m. in the Electra Room of the Vulcan Park and Museum, 1701 Valley View Drive.

Named by Security Magazine as one of the top 25 most influential people in security, Payton is one of America's leading authorities on security and intelligence operations. As White CIO, she oversaw IT operations for Bush and his staff from 2006 to 2008 during a period of fast-paced technological change and escalating cyber threats.

Cybersecurity is a growing concern with experts predicting that various forms of cybercrime, including damage and destruction of data, stolen money, lost productivity, theft of intellectual property, theft of personal and financial data, embezzlement and fraud, will cost businesses worldwide $6 trillion annually by 2021, up from $3 trillion in 2015.

Payton, who has also held executive roles in banking technology at Bank of America and Wells Fargo, is expected to share insights on how businesses can harness technology to achieve goals while incorporating safeguards to protect enterprises from cyber criminals. Over 1,000 business and IT professionals are expected to attend the summit.

The event also will host panel discussions on security and collaboration featuring industry experts from Cisco, DellEMC, C Spire Business, Microsoft and Polycom. Admission is free and the public is invited to learn about the latest trends in technology, view technology demonstrations and enjoy food, refreshments and live music.

"As evidenced by the recent cyberattacks on political parties, major businesses and social media companies, executives need to be vigilant by developing and implementing, if necessary, a comprehensive plan to protect their company's valuable data and software programs," said Don Monistere, general manager of C Spire Business.

Monistere said C Spire Business offers advanced connectivity, cloud, software, hardware, communications, professional services, cybersecurity, business continuity and technology support in a single, seamless, managed IT solution portfolio. "From desktop to data center, we help customers work smarter, faster and more secure."

To learn more about the summit or to register to attend, go to http://blog.cspire.com/.

About C Spire
C Spire Business is a subsidiary of C Spire, a diversified telecommunications and technology services provider. The unit offers the nation's first full-stack managed IT solutions suite of services, including advanced connectivity, cloud, software, hardware, communications, professional services, cybersecurity, business continuity and technology support in a single, seamless, managed IT solutions portfolio. This news release and other announcements are available at www.cspire.com/news. For more information about C Spire Business, visit www.cspire.com and click on the business tab or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CSpireBusiness, Twitter at www.twitter.com/CSpireBusiness or LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/c-spire-business.

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SOURCE C Spire