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Shawnee Delaney
Decorated Clandestine Officer & Insider Threat Expert
Shawnee Delaney
Decorated Clandestine Officer & Insider Threat Expert
Biography
Shawnee Delaney is the founder and CEO of Vaillance Group. Shawnee spent nearly a decade with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) as a decorated Clandestine Services Officer conducting Human Intelligence (HUMINT) operations all over the world.
She served four combat zone tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Case Officer and Detachment Chief and served as a Supervisory Branch Chief in Europe. After leaving DIA, Shawnee supported the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the protection of U.S. critical infrastructure and industrial control systems for the Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team (ICS-CERT).
Shawnee has built Insider Threat programs for major Fortune 500 companies. She holds an M.A. in International Policy Studies with a Specialization in Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Proliferation, a M.S. in Cyber Security and is currently in process of getting her third Masters in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.
She has written articles or been cited on Insider Threat in publications such as the Cipher Brief, Fox Business, Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, the Hill, and the Financial Times, among other international periodicals.
Speaker Videos
Negative Impacts of Organizational Change
Insider Threats
Why Are Insider Threats So Dangerous to Your Organizations
Mitigating Insider Threat
Human Trust Management
Speech Topics
Spy vs. AI: Defending Against Artificial Intelligence's Threats to Your Life, Loved Ones & Livelihood
Have you heard of a deep fake? Would you or your family fall for one? Dive into the dynamic world of artificial intelligence and its intricate relationship with the insider threat landscape. As AI continues to reshape industries, it simultaneously introduces new dimensions of vulnerabilities within organizations that insiders can exploit. In this engaging and insightful keynote, we’ll explore the evolving threats of AI, from deepfakes to voice cloning, and how they can impact individuals, families, and businesses. With real-world examples and case studies, I’ll break down the tactics malicious actors use and, more importantly, provide practical tips on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from these emerging dangers. By the end, you'll not only understand the risks but walk away empowered with actionable strategies to safeguard your digital lives in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Clean Sweep: A Spy’s Guide to Cyber Hygiene & Digital Wellness
In this engaging keynote, "Digital Wellness: The Art of Maintaining Your Cyber Health," taught by a former spy who knows firsthand the tactics threat actors use—because she once used them—we'll explore the vital connection between personal health care and cyber hygiene. This isn’t your typical, boring talk on not reusing passwords. Instead, you'll get actionable, practical advice on how to protect yourself and your family from real-world digital threats. From understanding dangers like phishing and ransomware to adopting strong cyber hygiene practices, you’ll learn how to safeguard your digital life. With insights such as treating antivirus software like your immune system and using regular updates as digital vitamins, this talk equips you to maintain a secure, healthy online presence. By the end, you'll understand how to protect your digital well-being, just as you would your physical health—straight from someone who knows the tricks of the trade.
From Espionage to Entrepreneurship: Lessons Learned as a Spy Turned Business Owner
Drawing from her expertise in the cybersecurity and human intelligence worlds, Delaney brings to life techniques to mitigate business risks, manage the employment lifecycle, conduct research, build networks, and gain other business-related skills - all tools learned and honed while conducting high stakes espionage missions around the world. Focusing on common threats that entrepreneurs should not overlook and delving into personal stories of her background in espionage & entrepreneurship as an industry disruptor, Delaney shares the story of her challenges and how she overcame them while starting two new businesses.
The Human Factor: A Spy’s Guide to Social Engineering & Insider Threats
This presentation will provide an overview on what the term "insider threat" actually encompasses, from unintentional acts to malicious acts, and everything in between. It will provide details and case studies on malicious insider acts, psychological motivations of a malicious actor, and the Critical Pathway. The Critical Pathway, as identified by Shaw and Sellers, explains how personal predispositions, stressors, and concerning behaviors can lead up to Insider Threat-like behaviors and/or malicious acts.
In addition, this presentation will discuss:
- How the human factor impacts organizations
- How your organizational culture can affect insider threat
- How both spies and social engineers work similarly to target you and your employees to gain access to your organization's most sensitive data
- How one's personal motivations and vulnerabilities can leave their organization vulnerable
- How organizations can establish an employment lifecycle program in order to understand important interdependencies, touchpoints, interactions, and gaps in insider protection strategies
Inside the Shadows: A Spy's Guide to Understanding Espionage & Protecting Your Organization
Espionage isn't just a plot in thrillers; it's a real and present danger. Doubtful you could be enticed into the world of spying? Think again. Our speaker, a former Case Officer (spy), will unveil her methods for identifying and recruiting individuals across various industries—revealing tactics from casual conversations at airport lounges to sophisticated surveillance operations. This insightful presentation dives deep into the clandestine world of espionage and its implications for your organization. Explore the intricate realms of industrial, corporate, and foreign espionage, as we dissect their motivations, the financial stakes involved, recruitment strategies, and provide vivid case studies of threat actors. Learn about the espionage toolkit, which blends traditional human intelligence methods with cutting-edge cyber security tactics. This talk will illuminate how today's adversaries, including hackers, nation-states, and organized crime rings, employ espionage techniques reminiscent of those used by spies. Equip yourself with the knowledge to detect and defend against espionage, whether you're facing a human operative or a cyber threat.
Beyond Hiring & Firing: Maximizing Organizational Performance through Effective Employment Lifecycle Management
An employee’s lifecycle encompasses several stages throughout their career.
This begins with recruitment and concludes with resignation, retirement, or termination. This talk addresses how organizations can establish an employment lifecycle program in order to give employees consistency throughout their careers and teaches you how to prevent insider threats as a result. It also provides a framework to understand important interdependencies, touchpoints, interactions, and gaps in insider protection strategies.
It will cover:
- What is an insider threat?
- What is employment lifecycle management?
- How the human factor impacts organizations
- Best practices for mitigating insider threat by managing the employment lifecycle
Stealing Innovation: Understanding the Threat of Corporate Espionage & Intellectual Property Theft
Given by a former spy, this talk provides details on the different types of espionage and how they can affect your organization. It will cover industrial espionage, corporate espionage, and foreign espionage in detail, offering examples of motivations to conduct espionage, costs, how spies are recruited, and case studies on various threat actors.
There are a variety of motivations for conducting theft of intellectual property and/or trade secrets. This talk will cover the various types of Intellectual property theft, differences between intellectual property, trade secrets, and protected information. It will include suggestions for how to better protect this information and what threats are targeting it, including hackers, nation states, insider threats, and technical threats.
In addition, this presentation will discuss:
- How the human factor impacts organizations
- Psychological aspects of a malicious actor
- How both spies and social engineers work similarly to target you and your employees to gain access to your organization's most sensitive data
- How one's personal motivations and vulnerabilities can leave their organization vulnerable
- How organizations can establish an employment lifecycle program in order to understand important interdependencies, touchpoints, interactions, and gaps in insider protection strategies
Under Pressure: The Hidden Link Between Stress & Insider Threats
Stress is a common factor in our daily lives, and it can have significant impacts on our emotional, mental, and physical well-being. However, stress can also have unintended consequences in the workplace, including creating an environment that fosters insider threats. This talk will explore the relationship between stress and insider threats, and strategies for mitigating this often-overlooked risk. Through a combination of real-world examples, research studies, and case studies, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how stress can lead to insider threats, including unintentional and malicious insider behavior. The talk will examine the factors that contribute to stress in the workplace, including job dissatisfaction, work overload, and lack of support. Attendees will also learn about the different types of insider threats, the warning signs of insider threats, and the damage they can cause to organizations. The talk will conclude with practical strategies for mitigating insider threats caused by stress. Attendees will learn about best practices for identifying and addressing workplace stress, promoting employee well-being, and creating a positive work environment that reduces the risk of insider threats. The talk will also cover the importance of creating a culture of awareness and vigilance to help prevent and detect insider threats before they cause harm.
Overall, this talk will provide attendees with valuable insights into the often-overlooked relationship between stress and insider threats. Attendees will gain practical strategies for mitigating this risk, helping them to create a more secure and productive workplace for their organizations.
Testimonials
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