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Michael Owens
Michael Owens Business Information Security Officer - Equifax: Center of Excellence / Legal at Equifax

Dr. Michael Owens exemplifies an extraordinarily accomplished cybersecurity authority with over two and a half decades of diverse experience across startups, corporate landscapes, government entities, and military institutions. Michael's profile reveals a high caliber professional with a robust network of 24,716 LinkedIn connections, underlining their prestige within the industry. As President and CEO of the U.S. Global Center for Cyber Policy, Owens has adeptly led the organization in providing critical, non-partisan guidance on cybersecurity and policy trends to government bodies at multiple levels. Their prior tenures include spearheading strategic cyber initiatives at EY and Cisco Systems, marking their legacy of impact and innovation throughout the sector.

Noted for their exceptional thought leadership, Michael is a regular keynote speaker on topics that circle the realms of cybersecurity, cyberwarfare, and national security. Their expertise in breach recovery, threat intelligence, and the promotion of diversity within tech and cybersecurity echoes the forefront of industry challenges and ambitions. Besides, their entrepreneurial spirit catalyzed the practice of SMB MSP and fractional CIO/CISO services, reinforcing their versatility and foresight.

In terms of education, Michael's profile boasts a compelling array of academic credentials, including degrees from North Carolina A&T State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and a doctorate from California Intercontinental University. Supplementary to this, they've honed their expertise with advanced certificates and executive education from prestigious institutions such as the U.S. Army War College and Harvard University. Currently, Michael holds an influential position as a Business Information Security Officer at Equifax, as well as contributing to various leadership roles within the cybersecurity community, a testament to their dedication and excellence within the field.

More about this expert

Full name
Michael Owens
Location
Atlanta Metropolitan Area
Title
Business Information Security Officer - Equifax: Center of Excellence / Legal
Company
Equifax
Industry
Financial Services
LinkedIn Connections
24716
Summary
Dr. Michael Owens is an innovative, collaborative, and distinguished leader with over 25 years of experience in startup, corporate, government, and military organizations. A transformation leader and sought-after speaker, Michael frequently keynotes on topics related to cybersecurity, cyberwarfare, and national security matters. As a cybersecurity executive, he has been at the vanguard of some of the most complex issues dealing with breach mitigation/recovery, threat intelligence sharing, and diversity within the tech and cyber industry. Michael is the president and CEO of the U.S. Global Center of Cyber Policy, where he leads the organization in providing federal, state, and local governments with non-partisan thought leadership and expert information and analysis on cybersecurity, cybercrime, and cyberwarfare trends, strategies, and policies from a domestic and international perspective. Prior to this, Michael led the Global Cybersecurity, Cybercrime, and Critical Infrastructure Program for EY within the Forensics, Investigations & Dispute division. In that role, he was responsible for the global strategic direction and standardization of threat intelligence, cybersecurity assessments, audits, and incident response services. Before this, Michael worked at Cisco Systems leading the Advanced Services, Public Sector service delivery team. During this time, he led cybersecurity, wired and wireless networks, and IT strategy engagements for government agencies in the U.S. southeast across and New York. Michael has extensive international and geopolitical experience with projects completed in over 100 countries. As an entrepreneur, Michael pioneered the practice of SMB MSP and fractional CIO/CISO services. Michael is an eight-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a current member of the US Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary. He is a member of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta, a Political Partner with the Truman National Security Project, and serves on the State Advisory Committee for the US Global Leadership Coalition, the Evanta/Gartner Atlanta CISO Governing Body, and the Leadership Board of the Cybersecurity Collaboration Forum. Michael's educational background includes a bachelors from North Carolina A&T State University, a masters degree from Georgia Institute of Technology, a doctorate from California Intercontinental University, and advanced certificates and executive programs from the U.S. Army War College and Harvard University. He resides in Mableton, Georgia with his two children.
Skills
PKI Enterprise Risk Management

Education

Harvard Kennedy School
Attended in 2012 - 2012
The United States Army War College
Certificate of Leader Development
Attended in 2018 - 2018
Field of study: National Security and Strategy

Positions

Equifax
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Business Information Security Officer - Equifax: Center of Excellence / Legal
Feb 2022 - Present

• Tapped to build a new enterprise-wide information security program supporting the Equifax Legal organization with direct influence of General Counsel, Legal Operations, and Customer and Vendor Security Contracting.
• Directs a strategic cyber risk program that adapts to a rapidly changing threat landscape, changes in business strategies, risks, and vulnerabilities.
• Leads through engagement of IT, Risk, Cyber Intelligence, Data Privacy, Third Party, Incident Response and Issues Management teams.
• Champion cyber security initiatives within the US Legal organization, while serving as a trusted advisor to General Counsel and Global Sourcing.
Equifax
Greater Atlanta Area
Business Information Security Officer - USIS
Jun 2018 - Feb 2022

Led security for Equifax's largest business unit ($1B+ Annual revenue) as the Business Information Security Officer, a senior level role with the Global Security organization with the responsibility of leading a high-performing team of information security directors and analysts and providing ownership, advice, and consulting to Business, IT and Operations executives regarding key initiatives that could be impacted by compliance, risk, and cybersecurity issues.
Equifax
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Interim VP, Chief Information Security Officer - USIS
Feb 2019 - Sep 2019

Assumed the role of CISO (with a dotted line to the President of Equifax) for the largest business unit within Equifax, responsible for implementing the multi-million dollar strategy and execution of Equifax's Global Information Security Program. Led engagements with key Fortune 100 clients, while driving adoption and maturation of enhanced Information Security and Risk Management efforts.
NCS Madison Corp.
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Advisory Board Member
2022 - Present
Evanta, a Gartner Company
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
CISO Executive Governing Body Member
Jun 2021 - Present
Cybersecurity Collaboration Forum
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Georgia CISO Leadership Board Member
2021 - Present
U.S. Global Center for Cyber Policy
Greater Atlanta Area
President & CEO
Jun 2017 - Present

@USCYBERPOLICY
Nonpartisan organization with primary mission to review, analyze and communicate worldwide cyber policy and legislation to safeguard U.S. assets and interests. We are a non-governmental organization (NGO) comprised of experts and analysts from government, academic and commercial entities that focus on safeguarding of U.S. assets and interests through the innovation, investment and collaboration of cyber information, research and best practices. We explore and advise on how cyber policy directly impacts our national security and its direct influence US and global foreign policy. Cyber policy and legislation will continue impact our businesses, our schools, our infrastructure, and our lives . We bring together public, private, military and government experts to advise, create and promote cyber standards, policies and legislation that safeguard U.S. assets and interests.