Understanding Today's Cyber Risk Landscape

CPE: 1 Credit Hour

Cyber threats continue to evolve in sophistication, scale, and impact. From business email compromise and credential theft to ransomware and AI-enabled attacks, cooperatives face growing risks that can disrupt operations, compromise sensitive information, and damage member trust. This session explores today's cybersecurity threat landscape, highlights emerging trends, and provides practical steps organizations can take to strengthen resilience in an increasingly digital world.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify significant cybersecurity threats affecting organizations today, including account compromise, ransomware, phishing, and social engineering attacks.
• Describe how artificial intelligence is changing the cybersecurity landscape, both as an attack enabler and a defensive capability.
• Apply practical cybersecurity strategies to reduce organizational risk, including multi-factor authentication, user awareness training, incident response planning, and security monitoring.

Presenter and Moderator Bios

Presenter: David Anderson, Principal Cybersecurity Consultant, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA)

David is a Principal and Cybersecurity Consultant in the CLA National Digital group with a strong focus on Offensive Cybersecurity. He has over 14 years of experience in the field, performing penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and social engineering engagements. David's expertise also includes project management for cybersecurity engagements across a diverse range of industries.

David has firsthand knowledge and experience using leading edge hacking/testing methods:

• External and internal network penetration designed to gain access to high value targets
• Social engineering techniques designed to assess security related to the human element
• Techniques for email phishing that result in remote access to company networks, bypassing improperly configured firewalls and proxy systems
• Domain and network management

Education:

• Bachelor of art, information technology with focus on networking and security, Minnesota State University – Mankato (MNSU)
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

Moderator: Wayne Sine, CPA, MBA, Education Director, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives

After retiring as Tax Director of a regional supply cooperative on the East Coast, Wayne Sine was asked to serve as Education Director for NSAC. As an active and long-term member of NSAC, Wayne previously served as Chair of NSAC’s Tax Committee, President of the Atlantic Chapter, and was a recipient of NSAC’s Silver Bowl Award. In addition to his work with NSAC, Wayne has also served on the Legal, Tax, and Accounting (LTA) Committee of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Chaired the Tax Committees for both the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Manufacturers Association, served on the Tax Policy Committee of the Virginia Society of CPAs, and served as Region Vice President for Tax Executives Institute.