The ACG Office of Advancement - Alumni and the ACG Greek Alumni Chapter
invite you to
“Hacking Exposed: Cyber Security Threats & Tips for Building Resilience”
Join us for an insightful discussion aimed at shedding light on the dynamic realm of cybersecurity. The 2nd event of the ACG Alumni Greek Chapter is designed to empower individuals with practical knowledge and strategies to safeguard their digital lives against the array of cyber threats lurking in the shadows. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, we'll introduce participants to essential tools and techniques for fortifying their defenses and navigating the digital landscape with confidence and resilience.
Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools needed to stay protected in the digital age. We'll delve into the latest cyber threats, including ransomware attacks and phishing scams, but rest assured – you'll also leave with actionable strategies to strengthen your defenses and confidently navigate the online world.
The discussion will be in Greek and will be followed by a networking cocktail reception.
Event Program
18:30 - Registration
19:00 - Welcome remarks
19:02 - 19:05 | Opening remarks by George Kapaniris
19:05 - 19:15 | Opening remarks by Evgenia Vagianou
19:15 - 19- 18 | Remarks and introductions by Panagiotis Merkouris
19:18 - 19:38 | Vasilis Maritsas Demo
19:38 - 19: 58 | Ioannis Alexakis
19:58 - 20:30 | Q&A Session
20:30- 20:35 | Closing speech Panagiotis Merkouris/ George Kapaniris
20:35- 22:00 | Networking cocktail reception
Opening remarks
Evgenia Vagianou, Deree '92, DH Information Technology & Assistant Professor, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Deree – The American College of Greece.
Prof. Evgenia Vagianou is the Head of the Department of Information Technology at Deree-ACG. She has extensive experience as software engineer & system analyst, as well as educator, curriculum designer, project manager and mentor. During the 25+ years at Deree, she led several in-house projects, including the design of three academic programs, and watched the College of her student days transforming the most important Higher Education private Institution in Greece. Professor Vagianou is passionate about promoting gender equality. She is a member of the Greek chapter of the ACM-W, and co-advisor for the ‘Rainbow Alliance’ and ‘Diversity and Inclusion’ student clubs at Deree-ACG. Her academic interests include cross-discipline IT integration and Trust of AI-enabled cyber-physical systems.
Moderators
George Kapaniris, Deree '94, joined the GAAB in 2019 and has built his career as an executive holding top level management positions and soon he became an entrepreneur in the area of information technology. He is currently the Managing Director at NSS SA, an international Value Added Distributor of leading-edge IT solutions, covering technology areas including information security, networking optimization, unified communications, and cloud transformation solutions. He is also a member of several company executive boards. He graduated from The American College of Greece with a BSc in Business Administration and earned his MBA from the University of La Verne.
Panagiotis Merkouris, Deree '07, currently holds the position of Head, Information Security at Athens International Airport. Panagiotis brings over 17 years of experience in crafting information security strategies. His experience spans in designing and implementing effective cybersecurity measures to identify and mitigate risks promptly, ensuring not only compliance with regulations but also with the highest security standards. Throughout his career, Panagiotis has led and executed major projects on a global scale, spanning five continents. Notably, he served for three consecutive terms on the Board of Directors of ISACA Athens Chapter, demonstrating his leadership and commitment to the information security community.
He is a graduate of The American College of Greece (Deree ’06), holding a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and an MBA in Strategic Management from University of Kingston in UK. Panagiotis remains actively engaged as a member of the ACG Alumni.
Speakers
Ioannis Alexakis is a public administration professional specializing in cybersecurity public policy. From 2020 he is Director for Cyber Security Strategic Planning in the National Cybersecurity Authority / Ministry of Digital Governance of Greece (NCSA/MDG). Prior to this post, he has been Director for Security Policy in the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport as well as Data Protection Officer in the same Ministry (2017-2020). He has gained extensive experience in applied strategic management in the public sector, by serving in several Ministries (Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Digital Governance) from various posts. He is a graduate of the National School of Public Administration (2006), the University of Athens (2009, MSc in “Public Policy and the State” and 2004 Bachelor of Laws - LLB), as well as the University of Wales (1999 Bachelor of Laws - LLB). He currently specializes in strategic and regulatory priorities in the cybersecurity domain both at EU and national level, as well as coordinating certain cyber security projects and emblematic actions of NCSA, such as the coordination and implementation monitoring of the National Cyber Security Strategy 2020-2025. Inter alia, he actively engages in EU policy formation and implementation, representing Greece in several EU bodies and fora and participating in the implementation of cybersecurity projects, co-funded by EU instruments. Furthermore, he has a strong interest in cybersecurity technologies, Information Security Management System implementation and privacy protection in cyberspace, having relevant professional certifications, academic background, and work experience.
Vasilis Maritsas, Deree ’05, is a partner at EY cybersecurity consulting services with nearly two decades of experience in the cybersecurity field. He enjoys discussing about hacking and hacks, showcasing how security can fail, and helping create a safer cyberspace.
He has experience working with some of the largest organizations worldwide, gaining a wealth of knowledge in the fields of cybersecurity with a strong focus on offensive operations and strategy.
In his current role, he leads a team of talented professionals, serving clients across the globe and helping them to protect their digital assets and enhance their resilience against cyber threats.
He holds a Master's degree in Information Security from Royal Holloway University of London, and a Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems from the American College of Greece.
The American College of Greece with a BSc in Business Administration and earned his MBA from the University of La Verne.
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