Jen Easterly, Ex-CISA Director, Steps Up as RSA Conference Leader

A seasoned cybersecurity expert with extensive public and private sector experience has been named the CEO of the RSA Conference, commonly referred to as RSAC.

Initially founded in 1991 as a modest cryptography gathering hosted by RSA, a giant in corporate security, RSAC has grown into a major annual event attracting cybersecurity professionals, vendors, and researchers. Although now an independent entity hosting various events throughout the year, its premier conference in San Francisco continues to be its main attraction each spring, drawing tens of thousands of participants.

Expanding Global Influence and Innovation

Easterly highlights the conference as the organization's flagship, noting its evolution into a global membership platform for cybersecurity experts. 'Our reach is becoming increasingly international, and I am eager to broaden our innovation sandbox and early-stage expo, fostering a startup ecosystem. This is all about empowering the new wave of AI-harnessing cyber companies and nurturing secure-by-design innovators to develop top-tier software,' Easterly shared with WIRED. 'In numerous aspects, we are at a pivotal moment.'

Leadership Amid Industry Transformation

Easterly's ascension to CEO comes just as the cybersecurity field is experiencing significant shifts. The various enhancements brought by AI are amplifying capabilities, making the protection of AI platforms and their supporting infrastructures essential. Concurrently, substantial changes introduced during the Trump era may reshape private-sector cybersecurity dynamics and the relationships between public and private entities both in North America and globally.

Easterly, a self-declared lifelong independent, has a career that traverses administrations and geographical boundaries. Her background includes multiple deployments with the US Army, roles at the National Security Agency, involvement in establishing US Cyber Command, and a stint as Morgan Stanley's global cybersecurity head for nearly five years before joining CISA in 2021.

Political Independence and Commitment to Cybersecurity

Throughout her career, fostering trust and collaboration has been paramount. Despite the challenges faced during the Trump administration's 2024 transition, Easterly remains unflinching. She states, 'I'm tackling this leadership role at RSAC not from a perspective of fear or conjecture but with the unwavering optimism and belief in community spirit that has anchored both my public and private service. Cybersecurity transcends politics, and RSAC isn't a political body. My independent stance remains firm.'

Easterly assures that the RSA Conference will persist in welcoming contributions and partnerships from global governmental entities as it strives to advance community engagement in cybersecurity. She believes that exceptional outcomes can arise when the cybersecurity community gathers in a supportive environment.

'Security and resilience are universal issues impacting every nation, industry, and citizen,' she concludes. 'RSAC's unique advantage is its ability to unite operators, technologists, innovators, researchers, and policymakers across various administrations and borders, rooted deeply in expertise and purpose, removed from political agendas.'