Larry Whiteside, CISO, Spectrum Health
Larry Whiteside, CISO, Spectrum Health
Larry Whiteside will be speaking at the upcoming SC Congress Chicago on Thursday, November 8.
What was your first job?
I worked at McDonald's for two weeks the summer before leaving for college. I got hurt unloading the weekly delivery truck in my second week and went on workman's comp. It stressed the importance of my education.
If corporate security was an ice cream flavor, why would it be?
Rocky Road. The name gives a connotation that doesn't fit the sweetest of its actual taste. That's similar to information/corporate security. It sounds like it's going to cause more issues than it will help, but in the end a successful security program will be beneficial to the business and the corporation.
What does your grandmother think you do for a living?
Work on computers.
If you were to describe yourself as a breed of dog, what would it be and why?
A Bull Mastiff. Extremely loyal, but very territorial over its domain.
What would your last meal be?
A nice plate of soul food. My wife's sweet ham, her mac and cheese, my mother-in-laws sweet potato pie, and my mother's string beans and sweet sun tea.
If the battle between IT security pros and cyber threats were to be embodied in comic book characters, what classic super hero/nemesis match-up do you think would be most fitting?
Not to be stereotypical, but I think it would be like The Avengers.
What is the lamest password you've ever heard?
Unfortunately, "password."
What is your favorite movie?
I don't have a specific favorite. I like comedies mainly. Action movies are good entertainment, but I enjoy laughing more. Movies that combine the two are best.
If you had to have an occupation other than the one you're doing, what would you do?
I would be coaching basketball.
Have you ever heard a good joke about IT security?
I have heard many, but none good enough to stick in my mind.
