At a Glance
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Thought Leader Interview
Thinkers360 thought leader interviews profile prominent members of the Thinkers360 community who embody the power of ideas in their work. In this edition, we speak with Mark Lynd, Global Cybersecurity Expert & Speaker, Head of Digital Business at Netsync.
Mark Lynd (CISSP – ISSAP, ISSMP, CE|H) Driven executive, author, speaker, and military veteran who helps cast an innovative digital transformation for companies and measurably build on it. Proven leader who mentors and empowers staff to achieve their goals through leadership, collaboration, empowerment and strives to bring order out of chaos, excellence out of mediocrity, and efficiency out of inefficiency.
Mark is an active security, IoT, OT, and AI practitioner with a wealth of relevant experience, who has been part of or led numerous AI roadmaps, security assessments, and compliance and governance efforts including GDPR, CCPA, SOX, GLBA, HIPAA, NERC/FERC/CIP, and FISMA.
C-Level innovator who believes most business decisions today are shaped and influenced by technology because it has the power to transform businesses, relationships, and opportunities. Uses vision and leadership to help shape how companies deploy and manage mobile, social, cloud, Internet of Things, and technologies to support growth, generate opportunity and increase productivity and profitability.
Mark serves and has served on several corporate boards and was named an Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of Year – Southwest Region” Finalist. He presented the Doak Walker Award on ESPN’s CFB Awards Show to a national television audience and has been quoted by numerous publications including Wall Street Journal, Information Week, eWeek, CSO, and others. His advertising and marketing teams have won 3 Gold, 4 Silver, and three Bronze Addy Awards.
He is featured in the annual listings of the Thinkers360 Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Artificial Intelligence 2022, Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Cloud Computing 2022, and Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Security 2022 as well.
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Thinkers360: Tell us a bit about your background and areas of expertise
ML: Today I am the Head of Digital Business and a member of the executive leadership team for Netsync, a large international value-added reseller (“VAR”). I leverage my more than 28 years of technology and cybersecurity experience as an entrepreneur, engineer and C-level executive.
In my current position as the Head of Digital Business at Netsync, I truly enjoy working daily as an executive advisor for the C-level leadership of the company’s public and private sector customers and prospects around the globe. Feel blessed to continue to be in-demand thought leader and recognized keynote speaker on topics including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud, diversity, STEM and veteran affairs for Oracle, IBM Watson, Cisco, HP, SailPoint, AT&T, Intel, and other organizations. I have served on numerous corporate boards, education boards and advisory boards. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Tulsa, Board certification from Wharton and have CISSP, ISSAP and ISSMP certifications. I am a proud military veteran that served honorably in the US Army’s 3rd Ranger Battalion, 82d Airborne and United Nations Multi-national Force and Observers.
Thinkers360: What are your current responsibilities and what’s a typical day look like?
ML: Candidly, there is no typical day for me. I am responsible for developing new relationships and deepening existing relationships with the leadership of our Netsync customers and assist them in making wise technology and security investments that lead to strong outcomes and returns on investment. This includes evangelizing, recommending and, communicating key solutions, industry trends, peer sharing and giving strong technology guidance.I focus largely on cybersecurity, cloud, data center and artificial intelligence and help our customers find real value from their technology and security investments. Enjoy evangelizing value-driven investments, leadership, and often bring attention to the relevant and real cyber risks to our customers and help strategize on how to minimize that risk.Finally, I am truly passionate about helping public sector customers strengthen their security posture and make smart technology purchases that give them more flexibility and accountability for the critical services they provide to so many, including those in need. It is important to give back and to support your community and it is something I am proud to share that I am able to do quite often.
Thinkers360: What’s the favorite part of your current role?
ML: Truly enjoy working with leaders and giving back to the community. Enjoy spending time with our customers’ leadership and discussing what their challenges and opportunities are and how best to ensure the strongest outcomes. It is also a blessing to be able to support and advocate for STEM education, veterans’ organizations and our larger community. I work at a unique organization that gives me the personal and professional freedom to seek out and accomplish things of real meaning. My wonderful and supportive family backs my ability to travel and make so many amazing connections.Finally, I enjoy mentoring young, soon to be leaders from diverse areas and backgrounds, so that we grow stronger as a profession and support the dreams and aspirations of so many people and organizations. It may sound a bit corny, but it is true.
Thinkers360: How do you utilize Thinkers360?
ML: Thinkers360 is a great resource for those looking for thought leadership assistance and for the thought leaders themselves in being able to represent their full body of work. Not just twitter or one channel, but as a valuable repository for a larger body of work. This makes it easier for both those looking for a thought leadership campaign and those wanted to be part of a campaign to communicate and collaborate effectively. A truly unique and powerful thought leadership platform!
See Mark’s Thinkers360 Profile: Mark Lynd
Thinkers360: How do you like to work with brands who wish to engage you as a thought leader?
ML: As an experienced executive and former CIO and CISO for global concerns, I go to some lengths and use great care in determining which company and solutions I will work with and represent in the marketplace. In today’s world, it is critical to align yourself and your brand with organizations and brands that carry similar values and beliefs regarding their business practices and how they attract and maintain customers.
As a thought leader in cybersecurity, AI, cloud and Data Center, I typically write a blog or article, speak at events, be interviewed or shoot videos for different manufacturers. I am also happy to responsibly promote to my almost 31,000 followers on LinkedIn, 41,000 on Twitter, 5,000 on Instagram and other social and physical channels. I did over 44 thought leadership and Netsync engagements and events last year and on track do over 50+ this year. I love sharing with my audience. My curated social media connections and events are comprised of technology and security executives and leaders across numerous industries, sectors and media.
We usually start off with an engagement. Discussion and then agreed upon then a planning session and then collaborate until satisfied with deliverables and outcomes. Nearly all of my thought leader customers are repeat customers.
Thinkers360: What’s your main advice for upcoming thought leaders?
ML: Be humbled and thankful when recognized and be bold when you feel strongly about something, but most of all, stay true to yourself. As a thought leader, respect your audience and focus on their needs and deliver curated, relevant and meaningful content that drives real value. It takes work, care and patience, but the reward is worth it.
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