2026 Protecting Utilities Lunch at ISC East: Building Resilience

Speakers

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  Michael Darling Founder, Solstice Security
  

  Michael Darling

  Founder, Solstice Security

  Michael Darling is the founder and principal consultant at Solstice Security, where he provides fractional chief information security officer services and helps high-confidentiality industries like defense, legal and financial services build strong security programs and navigate their compliance challenges. Darling has spent 25+ years building security programs that actually work. He led the ground-up development of a cybersecurity program at one of the largest law firms in the country and helped shape national cyber policy at the White House budget office and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. A retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel and combat veteran, he served in infantry, physical security, IT and cybersecurity roles. Darling is passionate about closing the gap between what security frameworks promise on paper and actual security outcomes.

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  Brooke Bastin Integration Solutions Specialist, ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions
  

  Brooke Bastin

  Integration Solutions Specialist, ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions

  Brooke Bastin has a diverse background in the security industry with roles in integration, software development and hardware development. He has focused on several verticals, including utilities, oil and gas, education, multi-dwelling units and corporate offices. Bastin’s knowledge of mechanical and electrified hardware, along with his understanding of multiple software platforms, allows him to be a “technology interpreter” for owners, developers, operators, consultants, distributors and integrators.

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  Jeff Fields Regional Vice President, Sales, Americas East, LATAM and Federal, Gallagher Security
  

  Jeff Fields

  Regional Vice President, Sales, Americas East, LATAM and Federal, Gallagher Security

  Jeff Fields is the vice president, sales U.S.-East region | LATAM | national federal programs at Gallagher Security, bringing over 30 years of experience navigating federal security frameworks and their application across private and critical infrastructure environments. In his role, Fields leads the commercial strategy and performance of Gallagher’s East, LATAM and federal business. A leading voice on public-private cybersecurity alignment, Fields is well versed in advising on compliance roadmaps, Zero Trust adoption and risk mitigation strategies across critical sectors including energy, supply chain and commercial enterprise.

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  Sean Murphy Director, Cybersecurity and AI Utilities Practice, West Monroe Energy
  

  Sean Murphy

  Director, Cybersecurity and AI Utilities Practice, West Monroe Energy

  Sean Murphy, MBA, PMP, is a technology and cybersecurity executive specializing in business strategy, digital transformation, and infrastructure modernization. He helps utility and technology clients improve operations through cybersecurity programs, artificial intelligence governance, operational technology networks, technology roadmaps and complex implementation initiatives and also leads the post quantum computing initiative for the Critical Infrastructure Security Consortium.

  At West Monroe, Murphy has led utility-focused technology offerings, including Intellio Connect. His prior experience includes leadership roles at Motorola, Microsoft, S&C Electric and Nokia. Murphy holds a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

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  Austan Palmer Account Executive, Convergint
  

  Austan Palmer

  Account Executive, Convergint

  Austan Palmer is a security industry professional focused on protecting utilities and critical infrastructure. As an account executive with Convergint, she works with electric, water and other critical infrastructure organizations to strengthen physical security and operational resilience. Palmer serves on the SIA Utilities Advisory Board and as vice chair of the IAHSS Central Texas Chapter. She is also active with SIA Women in Security Forum and SIA RISE and founded Aggies in Security. Palmer is a frequent industry speaker and moderator on critical infrastructure security and emerging threats. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and an MBA from the University of Oklahoma.

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  Vince Ricco Senior Global Alliances Manager, Wasabi Technologies
  

  Vince Ricco

  Senior Global Alliances Manager, Wasabi Technologies

  Vince Ricco is a seasoned alliance manager and subject matter expert with more than 20 years of experience in safety, security, computer vision, machine learning and artificial intelligence markets. He has worked at leading technology companies including Wasabi Technologies, Axis Communications, Dell Technologies and Johnson Controls. Vince also actively collaborates with industry associations such as the Security Industry Association, ASIS International and the National Retail Federation. Outside of work, Ricco enjoys snow skiing, cooking, spending time with pets and being with family.

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  R.S. Richard, Jr. Cybersecurity Advisor, Region 2, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
  

  R.S. Richard, Jr.

  Cybersecurity Advisor, Region 2, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

  R. S. Richard, Jr., is the chief of cybersecurity with the Region 2 of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), located in New York City Richard is a native Long Islander who served in the U.S. Navy from 1983 to 2003. After honorably retiring from the Navy in 2003 as a data systems technician chief petty Officer, he and his family moved to Chesapeake, Virginia, where he worked at the Naval Network Warfare Command (NAVNETWARCOM) as a senior cyber security engineer managing a team cyber security analysts and engineers which was responsible for the certification and accreditation of all Navy systems and networks. Richard was then the information systems security manager with Northrop Grumman Corporation in Bethpage, New York, where he directly supervised all facility information system security officers and was responsible for managing the IT governance and cyber security compliance of 1,200+ computers that processed secret and top secret information including SIPRNET and the Secret Defense Research and Engineering Network systems. Desirous to return to service to country, in 2016 Richard transitioned to CISA, where he currently serves as the chief of cybersecurity for CISA Region II.

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  Joey St. Jacques Chair, SIA Utilities Advisory Board
  

  Joey St. Jacques

  Chair, SIA Utilities Advisory Board

  Joey St. Jacques’ career spans many years in the critical infrastructure sector, where he has established himself as a seasoned security practitioner. His professional journey reflects exceptional leadership in creating and advancing physical and cybersecurity roadmaps, programs and initiatives across North America and internationally. In a previous role as global director, St. Jacques wore multiple hats, driving strategic growth initiatives while supporting security practitioners in protecting their infrastructure with proven solutions. He currently serves as chair of the Security Industry Association (SIA) Utilities Advisory Board. In his current role, he focuses on the integration side of critical infrastructure security for government, national defense, utilities, embassies, health care and transportation sectors. Throughout his career, St. Jacques has built a 360-degree perspective on security—as an end user, product developer, integrator, consultant and sales professional—giving him a rare vantage point on the challenges facing practitioners across the industry.