What CISOs do in the first hour of AI-driven cyber attacks

Sunday, 15 March 2026

10:30 AM - 11:45 AM IST

Jack McCready, PhD

Adjunct Professor, MS in Cybersecurity Operations and Leadership, USD

What Will You Walk Away With

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A live view of how cyber leaders make high-stakes decisions with incomplete information while attacks escalate

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Insights on how real organizations coordinate response across security teams, executives, legal, and communications during major incidents

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An understanding of how operational resilience is built before a crisis and proven when organizations must keep operations running

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Learn how you can take the next step in your cybersecurity career toward a high-paying leadership role

About the Masterclass

Global AI-driven cyberattacks have surpassed 28 million incidents in 2025, accelerating the speed and scale of cyber crises. As attacks become automated and harder to contain, incidents quickly shift from technical failures to leadership challenges requiring rapid decisions, coordinated response, and operational control.

In this live masterclass hosted by the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, University of San Diego, explore how cyber leaders respond when those attacks are initiated. Through real-world scenarios, learn how leaders make high-stakes decisions with incomplete information, coordinate technical and executive teams, maintain operations during disruptions, and build resilience before, during, and after major cyber incidents.

Meet the Speaker

Dr. Jack McCready brings over 40 years of experience in the scientific and engineering community, spanning research, developing cybersecurity solutions, and successful product implementation. He has spent the last 25 years at the U.S. Coast Guard’s (CG) Research & Development Center as the Division Director responsible for all research relating to C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers/Cyber and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance) as well as the Director for Strategic Analysis & Business Development.

Qualifications

PhD, Natural Language Processing supporting Advanced Decision-Making Frameworks, Walden University
Master of Science - MS, Operations Research & Management, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Bachelor’s Degree, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Northeastern University

Industry Experience

CEO/CTO, JWM Consulting LLC
Division Director, U.S. Coast Guard
Director, Electromagnetic Department, General Physics

Programs offered by the University of San Diego

The University of San Diego offers accredited Master's programs in Cyber Security, designated as National Centers of Academic Excellence by the federal government. Whether you're building engineering solutions or leading operations, USD prepares you for high-impact roles in critical infrastructure defense.

The University of San Diego offers accredited Master's programs in Cyber Security, designated as National Centers of Academic Excellence by the federal government.

Whether you're building engineering solutions or leading operations, USD prepares you for high-impact roles in critical infrastructure defense.