Stephen Young, a respected figure in the cybersecurity industry, passed away unexpectedly this week, leaving behind a legacy of change throughout the industry as a CISO.
Parham Eftekhari, vice president of community for CyberRisk Alliance, SC Media's parent company, said Young served as vice president of content and task force for the Cybersecurity Collaborative from June 2018 to November 2020. I have fond memories of working with Young during his time there.
“Steve was one of Cybersecurity Collaborative's original content leaders and helped build the foundation of the organization it is today,” Eftekari said. “I will always remember his kindness, empathy, resourcefulness, and passion for our profession. On behalf of the Cyber Risk Alliance and the entire community, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Steve's family, friends, and colleagues. Masu.”
As Vice President and CISO of Advantage Solutions, Cybersecurity Collaborative, Blue Shield of California, and Kellogg's, he not only strengthened the digital fortresses of these esteemed organizations, but also created new We have set the standard.
Throughout his career, Young was seen as more than just a CISO. He was a visionary leader who anticipated the evolving cyber threat landscape and spearheaded proactive measures to protect critical assets. His expertise and strategic foresight earned him recognition as one of the top 10 and top 5 CISOs in the US in 2013 and 2016, establishing him as a prominent figure in the cybersecurity field. Did.
He was regularly featured in notable publications such as: luck and wall street journalThere, his insights focused on the complex interactions between technology, business, and security. His ability to align cybersecurity efforts with overarching business objectives highlighted his proficiency in not only mitigating risk but also delivering tangible value to organizations.
With a career spanning global IT leadership, business partner engagement, and vendor management, Young has successfully navigated complex situations. Under his management, his global IT and security organization flourished and he was entrusted with a budget of over $80 million.
His influence extended beyond the boardroom and boardroom. He has fostered a culture of excellence by attracting and retaining top talent who can deliver world-class solutions and provide unparalleled global operational support. His guidance and mentorship served as a beacon of inspiration, shaping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
Scott Lott, a senior security engineer at Advantage Solutions, has worked closely with Young over the past few years.
“Stephen was always full of empathy, love and generosity,” he said. “He always sought to benefit those around him. Every meeting, every conversation, every person's life he touched was better because of it. I think he was very I've seen people walk into meetings that started out hostile and completely change the situation.''While everyone was laughing and joking, I've never seen someone care so much about their team. Never. ”
Young has always strived to help people grow in their careers and create a safe environment for them to grow, Lott said. '' he added. A sincere embodiment of many of the things we all aspire to be. ”
Malcolm Harkins, HiddenLayer's chief security and trust officer and a member of the CyberRisk Alliance board of directors, has worked with Mr. Young for many years, and despite the health problems Young had experienced over the years due to accidents, First, I mentioned how we have achieved results. He suffered back pain on the day he was scheduled to present to the board. Anyway, after he gave his presentation, he went to the hospital.
“He had more tenacity and tenacity than anyone I've ever met,” Harkins said.
