Larry Whiteside Jr. currently serves as vice president of healthcare and critical infrastructure in the O ce of the CISO at Optiv. In this role, Whiteside focuses on helping security executives in these focus areas develop a comprehensive security program that balances risk and aligns with the overall business goals. He is responsible for developing and delivering a comprehensive suite of strategic services and solutions to help executives improve their security strategies through innovation. Whiteside also is co-founder and executive vice president of the International Consortium of Minority Cybersecurity Professionals (ICMCP).

Prior to Optiv, Whiteside served as the chief security o cer at Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), an organization that supplies cost-e ective electricity for Central Texas, manages water supplies and oods in the lower Colorado River basin, provides public parks, and supports community development in 58 Texas counties. In this role, Whiteside was responsible for the protection of all corporate personnel and assets, and led the O ce of the CSO. Whiteside also worked at Comodo as corporate strategy advisor to the CEO, Lynx Technology Partners as CSO, Spectrum Health as CISO and director of enterprise operations, and Visiting Nurse Service of NY as CISO.

Whiteside started his career as an o cer in the United States Air Force and separated in 2002. He served as chief, information warfare/network security divisions and chief, network security division – single agency manager for the Air Force at the Pentagon. In recognition for his achievements, Whiteside received the Company Grade O cer of the Year award for his units in 1997 and 2000, and a nomination for the National Information Security Executive of the Year in 2009 and 2010.

Whiteside received his Bachelor of Science degree in computer science at Huston-Tillotson University. He is an active member in various industry organizations such as Information System Security Association (ISSA), Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and multiple industry-based security commi ees dedicated to strengthening security in the public sector. Whiteside is a well-respected security expert, having briefed individuals at some of the highest levels of Department of Defense. He also is a thought leader in the industry with extensive experience presenting at conferences such as the Gartner Security Summit, RSA Conference and SC World Congress, and has been featured in many articles relating to information security and risk management.