Our Speakers
An Uncompromising Roster of Experts.
Our speakers bring unfiltered, tactical insights forged in the crucible of real-world incident response.
Melissa Ventrone
Attorney
Clark Hill, PLC
Melissa K. Ventrone is on the cutting edge of data security and privacy, helping clients navigate emerging challenges related to today’s digital economy. As leader of the Cybersecurity, Data Protection and Privacy Business Unit, Melissa directs her skilled, multidisciplinary team of first responders to minimize security risks, ensure regulatory compliance, and curtail damage in the event of a data incident.
Understanding technology and the related legal issues and complex challenges, Melissa helps clients manage data to minimize risks and ensure compliance with changing regulatory requirements. Melissa is proficient in data security regulations including the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR,) the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), among others. Leveraging her extensive knowledge, Melissa helps clients collect, use, monetize, and protect data (including intellectual property and customer, financial, medical, and employee records) in a secure and compliant manner. As a Marine Corps veteran, Melissa understands the best defense is a strong offense especially when it comes to risk mitigation, resiliency, and protection. Melissa reviews data security policies, procedures, and incident response plans and works with clients to create a tactical action plan to establish compliance with state, federal and international laws and regulations and minimize cyber risks. This action plan includes creating and facilitating executive training and simulation exercises to improve clients’ cyber resiliency and ensure they are prepared to respond effectively and efficiently to data security incidents.
When a damaging data breach or cybersecurity attack occurs, Melissa and her team are available 24/7 to manage the end-to-end process from containment to recovery, minimizing operational disruption, negative repercussions and costs. Melissa has managed thousands of data security incidents across all industries, ranging from lost devices at small companies to high-profile cyberattacks impacting millions of customers’ data. Melissa’s vast experience in cybersecurity preparedness and response allows her to swiftly identify the best strategies to protect clients’ most critical assets.
Melissa is also a zealous advocate and has developed a winning reputation for defending companies facing data security and privacy regulatory investigations before both state and federal agencies.
Melissa is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US).
Sessions
Thu Feb 04, 4:45 PM - 5:30 PM
The Calm in the Storm: Leading Clients Through a Cyber CrisisWhen a client suffers a cyber incident, you are no longer just a technology provider—you becomes part of the client’s leadership team. In those critical hours, clients need more than technical expertise. They need someone who can translate uncertainty into clarity, help executives make decisions under pressure, and communicate in a way that preserves confidence and trust. Equally important is communicating in a way that helps clients but doesn’t put you at risk.
This session explores your role when your clients suffer a cybersecurity incident. We’ll examine the moments that define the client relationship during an incident: what executives need to hear, what they don’t, how to communicate when the facts are still emerging, and how to balance transparency with uncertainty. Attendees will leave with practical approaches for becoming the calm, credible voice their clients need when the stakes are highest—and turning crisis response into a defining moment of trust.
Fri Feb 05, 8:30 AM - 9:15 AM
The Calm in the Storm: Leading Clients Through a Cyber Crisis (Repeated)When a client suffers a cyber incident, you are no longer just a technology provider—you becomes part of the client’s leadership team. In those critical hours, clients need more than technical expertise. They need someone who can translate uncertainty into clarity, help executives make decisions under pressure, and communicate in a way that preserves confidence and trust. Equally important is communicating in a way that helps clients but doesn’t put you at risk.
This session explores your role when your clients suffer a cybersecurity incident. We’ll examine the moments that define the client relationship during an incident: what executives need to hear, what they don’t, how to communicate when the facts are still emerging, and how to balance transparency with uncertainty. Attendees will leave with practical approaches for becoming the calm, credible voice their clients need when the stakes are highest—and turning crisis response into a defining moment of trust.
