Staying safe and being a ‘good’ member of society are our two focuses this week. What are the key components of a solid IT security strategy? And are corporate philanthropy programs still relevant? 

In the tech corner, we have – as you would expect – a variety of industry experts drawn from two sectors with the most to protect: government and financial services. 

IT security failures are increasingly headline news. Your customers require you to protect their valuable data, and they will go elsewhere if you don’t. This week we find out how to best manage crucial vendor relationships for the security you need, how to ‘sell’ IT security risk expenditure into the executive team, when there is often no visible reward, and proven strategies for both running and changing your IT security organization.

From Tuesday 16 March: IT Security: Lessons From The Frontline, part 1

With Joe Jarcombe, Director Security, Dept Homeland Security; Joseph Kraus, CIO, US Gov Accounts; Sanjay Sarder, CIO, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and; Greg Zickau, CTO, State of Idaho.

From Wednesday 17 March: IT Security: Lessons From The Frontline, part 2

With James Gay, Chief Information Security Officer, Travelex

All week: Chief Ninja Padraig Hyland has some simple solutions for removing human error and creating a solid risk analysis, delivered in his inimitable, (un)usual style.

In the CSR corner: according to a recent McKinsey global survey, many executives doubt that their philanthropy programs fully meet their social goals or stakeholders’ expectations. But an effective philanthropy program can deliver far more than simply enhancing your company’s reputation.

In this program, we look at how a well-conceived and executed corporate philanthropy program can help rebuild reputation and trust, how to identify a social purpose that has meaning and aligns with your business, and the deeper, company-wide benefits of philanthropic endeavors.

From Thursday 18 March: Why Corporate Philanthropy Is The Best Thing You Can Do

With Deidre Lind, Executive Director, Philanthropy, Mattel and many more.

I hope you enjoy the programs and find something useful for your business, or your self. Please get in touch with any ideas and feedback.