Pete Holicki, Dow Chemical
Technology
is an enabler and a disruptor. There are only 8 major chemical companies left
due to the nature of technology application.
Companies
must grow and be productive. Technology must be used but needs to align with company
strategy.
Control
technology, don’t let technology control you.
Change is
essential. How do you get an elephant to dance? The elephant is a large company
(Dow). To dance is to be agile.
He disagrees
that low hanging fruit is gone. Prune like a tree every year. There is new low
hanging fruit all the time.
Do more with
fewer resources. In 10 years, Dow has 2x the output with half the workforce.
Stay ahead
by technology development and technology implementation
Align with
business strategy – own the technology, but be adaptive to strategy
Human
capital is critical to success. There are talent shortages – retention is
critical.
Manufacturing excellence – must know when not operating
optimally. Proper data is essential.
Gregory Touhill, DHS - cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is a risk management issue. It’s not about just technology.
Nation state actors are the biggest, but there are criminals doing it for their advantage. Activists try to damage your company because they don’t like your products or services.
Physical security is as important as cybersecurity..
Cybersecurity should be on the agenda of every C level meeting and activity.
Employees must be secure at home too because most people’s work computers are used at home.
Steps to take:
-
Identify what you have. Besides your people, data is the next most important thing within your company.
-
Protect what you have (remember: he who defends everything defends nothing – so prioritize)
-
Detect when under attack – immediately, not a day or week later
-
Respond – have a plan and test it
-
Recovery plan