Month: February 2021
Thank you from the White Hat Chair
Judging by large numbers of people reaching out to offer their thanks for the White Hat Unforgettable day, and of course the level of attendance in the evening. The cyber and risk community showed force to ensure vulnerable people in our society are not forgotten, despite the difficulties of our current society with COVID.
The community enjoyed an event which was made possible and powered by our generous headline sponsor, KPMG, supported by other sponsors Ezkenzi PR, Qualys, ISACA, Bridewell Consulting, and Rela8 Group.
Our evening was hosted by Graham Cole OBE, who did a masterful job as expected from a seasoned actor. Graham was supported by our very own ‘Cyber Clive’ aka Clive Room, who despite losing his trousers before the silent auction, somehow managed to recompose himself and facilitate a panel discussion with Chris Harper and Charlie Webster. Chris and Charlie, aided by Cyber Clive, recalled their powerful journeys of speaking out on child abuse, on television through Chris, and from personal experience by Charlie.
These stories were echoed in a powerful and very heart felt personal recollection by Nicole, our speaker, who managed her child abuse situation with grace and humility despite having to rebuild her life without the support from some members of her family.
The virtual room was moved by Nicole’s story.
Childline supports vulnerable people through the dedicated councillors working at Childline. To recognise and signal the importance and vital nature of the work performed by these amazing people, Dame Esther Rantzen presented an award the winner of the Childline counsellor award to Charlie Burton. Charlie not only works at Childline but also has a full-time job teaching year 5 students at a local school.
We must also mention some other people, Lilly O’Brien and Robyn Stevenson from NSPCC, who did a sterling job ushering White Hat Committee members through weekly calls, Molly and Imogen from Tap Simple, the amazing streaming platform, and our video editor Liz Hudson. I suspect Liz enjoyed the antics of Cyber Clive during the editing process.
The committee and I are wholeheartedly grateful and touched will how the Cyber and Risk community rallied behind such an amazing cause during a time when many organisations are facing their own challenges. Examples of support include the amazing awareness campaigns driven by Infosec Europe, RANT, ISACA and Barclay Simpson to name a few, there were many others.
I personally hope many of you will join us at the January 2022 White Hat Ball, and thank you all once again for your generosity and kindness.
