By Bruce Christian
Another day of educational and informational sessions is on the agenda for today, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Hub in the Exhibit Hall.
CEO Chip Pickering will introduce The New Faces of INCOMPAS during the first session, which includes Tony M. Russo, vice president of Federal Legislative Affairs, Government Affairs for T-Mobile; and Raj Goyle, co-founder and co-CEO of Bodhala Inc.
During the past two years, the association’s membership has expanded and diversified to include new network builders, as well as companies focused on streaming services and devices. The new faces discuss their business models, how their business priorities sync with INCOMPAS’ work, and how their companies have benefited from membership.
Russo began working at T-Mobile in 2000 and is now the head lobbyist for the telecommunications company. Previously, he served four years (1996 to 2000) as legislative counsel for then Sen. Joe Biden, who has described Russo as his “third son.”
But perhaps Russo is best known in D.C. circles for his exploits on the golf course, according to Golf Digest. He’s considered one of the finest golfers in Washington’s political realm.
Goyle co-founded Bodhala, a technology company based in New York City. A Kansas native, he served in the Kansas House (2006-2010), where he was the first Democrat elected in his district and the first South Asian elected in the state.
In 2010, he ran one of the strongest campaigns in the country for the U.S. House and served on the 2012 Obama National Finance Committee and was an early member of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s campaign committee. He also served as a senior fellow and a senior policy analyst at the Center for American Progress.
Goyle is the national board chair of the State Innovation Exchange and serves on the boards of a board member of the NYC Coalition Against Hunger and NewDEAL Democrats.
In the INCOMPAS Theater at 10:30 a.m., Alan Hill, Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Strategic Business Development for INCOMPAS, will moderate a discussion featuring the CTO of Data Foundry, Edward Henigin, on Encryption vs. Security. The discussion will focus on how encryption may make communications and information more secure, but does it also make us less safe?
Many technology companies offer encryption capabilities that safeguard the privacy of their customers’ communications, sometimes to the detriment of the law enforcement and national security communities. As highlighted by the FBI’s recent efforts to unlock an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino shooters, a vigorous debate is being fought regarding the role of encryption as it relates to consumer privacy and government efforts to thwart and investigate criminal and national security threats on the other.
This discussion should help attendees understand the terms of the dispute and the implications for INCOMPAS members.
Data Foundry provides comprehensive wholesale and retail data center outsourcing, colocation and disaster recovery services. The company provides its customers with secure premium facilities for servers and equipment, emergency workspace and carrier-neutral network accessibility, supported by experienced onsite technicians and customer support.
The company supports more than 1,000 enterprise customers across a variety of industries including energy, healthcare and financial services. Founded in 1994, Data Foundry was the first Internet Service Provider in San Antonio and one of the first 50 Internet Service Providers in the United States. Today, it operates data centers in Austin and Houston and owns private networks in Austin, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas.
We all know that innovations in telecommunications outpaces the regulation. This often leads to untreated risks. At 1 p.m. in the INCOMPAS Theatre, Juvo Technologies Engagement Partner Chris Morse will discuss ways to mitigate against and control the emerging risks the landscape that now includes Cloud, IoT and the Emerging GRC Challenges.
From the debate on privacy and security, another interesting panel discussion serves as the final educational offering, beginning at 2 p.m. in the AT&T Theater, as Daniel Alvarez leads a discussion on The Evolving Privacy and Cybersecuirty Landscape.
Alvarez, a partner for the Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP firm in Washington D.C., will be joined by UNITEL’s Senior Vice President Joe Weipert and Paige Schaffer, President, Identity Protection and Digital Security, Generali Global Assistance.
This discussion will look at how innovation in technologies and services that drive marketplace growth and consumer benefits also raise new challenges for law and policy, particularly with respect to privacy and cyber security.
A number of important advances have been seen, as the legal and policy landscape for privacy and cyber security seeks to catch up with the marketplace, including the FCC’s expanded role in privacy and cyber security and the enactment last year of the landmark Cyber security Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA).
Industry and government experts will discuss the evolving landscape of privacy and data security law and policy, and how INCOMPAS members should prepare for what lies ahead.
Alvarez is a partner in Willkie’s Communications, Media & Privacy Department. His practice focuses on counseling a broad range of clients in diverse industries on privacy and cyber security issues, as well as broadband and other regulatory matters.
He previously was legal advisor to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. As one of Wheeler’s chief advisors, Alvarez oversaw and advised on the development of policy on some of the highest-profile issues before the FCC, including broadband competition and deployment, open Internet, privacy, cyber security and public safety issues.
Prior to joining the FCC, Alvarez had been an associate in Willkie’s Washington office for more than eight years, advising clients on communications, broadband, media and privacy-related issues.
