Stay Cyber Safe: What Every CEO Should Know About Cybersecurity

Stay Cyber Safe: What Every CEO Should Know About Cybersecurity is your jargon-free guide to understanding the cyber threats you face each day. In this brief book, authors JT Kostman and Brian Gallagher introduce CodeLock™ – a revolutionary approach to cybersecurity that provides what the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) describes as being able to "stop the most sophisticated criminal malware." They will also offer you affordable, practical, and actionable advice on steps you can take today to safeguard your data assets – and keep your company from becoming the next victim of cybercrime to be featured on the nightly news.

Imagine this: You come into the office on Thursday morning, grab a cup of coffee and sit down at your desk to check your email. You log in, and you wait. And wait. Nothing happens for a few seconds. Then your screen turns bright blue. A pop-up banner appears with some devasting news: You've been hacked.

Welcome to the hell known as ransomware.

Now you have a choice to make. Either you can pay the cyber-criminals $150,000 in bitcoin by the end of the day or all your data will be destroyed. All your confidential information and private emails will be released onto the internet. Your customers' personally identifiable information will be sold on the black market. The icing on the cake? The hackers will report this incident to the press.

You can pay the thieves who are holding your data hostage, but there are no guarantees. They may still carry through on their threats or just ask for more cash.

If you don't think it could happen to you, think again.

Regardless of your industry, or how many employees you have, if you lead a small or midsized business there is a 48% chance you will become the victim of cybercrime sometime within the next year. That's pretty much the flip of a coin – and it just keeps getting worse.

The approaches and methodologies in this book are crucial for anyone looking to protect themselves or their business by mitigating the risk of cybersecurity threats and ransomware.

Dr. JT Kostman has been recognized by his peers, the press, and professional associations as one of the world's leading experts in Applied Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Computing. A highly sought-after speaker, writer, and advisor, JT has earned a reputation for his ability to demystify frontier technologies, and for developing practical, actionable, cost-efficient data solutions.

In the public sector, JT has hunted terrorists for U.S. Intelligence Agencies, tracked criminal networks for the FBI, advised on analytic strategies for the Department of Defense, and led social media analysis for the 2012 Obama Campaign. In his earlier life, he served as a paramedic, police officer, deep-sea rescue diver, and team leader with the U.S. Army Special Forces.

In the corporate sector, JT led the development of industry-changing solutions while serving as Chief Data Officer for Time Inc., Chief Data Scientist for Samsung, and as an advisor to organizations ranging from tech startups to the Fortune 500.

In the financial sector, JT has guided substantial investments in frontier technologies while serving as a Board Member of a PE/VC fund and as an advisor to numerous hedge funds, family offices, and institutional investors.

In the marketplace of ideas, JT has become one of the most prolific, prescient, and valued voices on the near-term impact of AI and frontier technologies. The keynotes, presentations, press interviews, posts, and articles he has shared with audiences around the world have contributed to making him a go-to expert for organizations including The National Association of Corporate Directors, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, U.S. Government Agencies, and dozens of others. Brian Gallagher is widely regarded as a leader and international expert on protecting people, property, places – and profits. Brian has served as an adviser to corporations and countries around the world and is widely considered to be a trailblazer within the fields of security and risk mitigation.

In the public sector, Brian served in the U.S. Secret Service Technical Security Division under U.S. Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. While working in the White House, Brian's remit was focused on new and emerging technologies, with a particular focus on chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats. His expertise has since extended to include the intersection of physical and cybersecurity threats and the hazards they present to governments and private organizations.

In the corporate sector, Brian has worked with customers around the world introducing advanced technology and has become a trusted strategic advisor to CXOs, Senior Executives, and Government Officials. He has established offices and has led teams in North America, Asia, and the Middle East.

Brian is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commercial (USCC) National Security Task Force and serves as an advisor to several government committees. His work focuses on helping public and private sector clients increase their efficiencies and capabilities, while simultaneously reducing their risk through the strategic application of leading-edge technology.

Brian is a highly sought-after speaker, advisor, and teacher. He has lectured, interviewed, and led workshops in 37 countries. From Presidents and Ministers to industry leaders, Brian has influenced thinking and has helped make companies and countries safer and better prepared to meet tomorrow's challenges – today.