11/27/2024
Our Founder and CEO Kirsten Davies had the honor of being the opening keynote speaker at BlackHat Middle East and Africa Conference yesterday in Saudi Arabia. She was asked to share her thoughts on “Guarding the Ballot”, as part of the work we have been doing through the Institute for Cyber in support of many, broad security and integrity efforts for . She also shared a high level cyber risk analysis across the lifecycle of a ballot, the strengths and vulnerabilities of people, process and technology in US Elections, and her thoughts on what a more secure US Election and voting experience could look like under the incoming administration of President Trump.
Below, Kirsten shares of why this experience was so profound:
1. I am a proud . Especially having lived and worked in other cultures, I deeply treaure our 1st Ammendment right of freedom of speech, freedom of religion - freedom to express our individual thoughts and passions…and our foundational right to use our freedom of speech and give voice in our vote to elect our leaders from the school
house to the White House. This is hashtag that many in the world do not have.
2. I’m a multi-time executive, who has worked very hard in this field to achieve success. I have had steep learning curves at times, difficult growing pains at others, meaningful leadership and follower-ship moments. I’ve learned from failures and successes alike. And I know I have been blessed on this journey.
3. I’m a hashtag . And while I never lead with this, it is still part of who I am, and it is a marked aspect of certain times and places - sometimes more than others.
Of all the audiences I have been honored to speak to, of all the presentations I have delivered, this will be an experience I will share for years to come.
Again, thank you to the Conference.
