Barbara Cosgriff
Product Security Team, Founder/Managing Principal
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
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Barbara Cosgriff began her Information Technology career serving 6 years as a Signal soldier in the U.S. Army. After an honorable discharge, she expanded into software, where she has spent the last 29 years filling various positions in the Secure Software Development Lifecycle, Software Developer, Software Security Architect, Director of Application Security, and most recently, Principal Technologist for Intelligent Systems Security. She is currently Founder and Principal Cybersecurity Consultant of Product Security Team, LLC, a cybersecurity professional services firm that . Barbara holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and is a Certified Software Security Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP).
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Beyond the Firewall: The Strategic Imperative of Diversity in Cybersecurity
A panel session led by LaWanda Simpkins, Founder of Creative Justice, a dynamic facilitator and strategist dedicated to building more equitable and just systems. The panel will include 4 diverse members who work in the cybersecurity field - Jennifer Rosario, CISO at Spreedly; Barbara Cosgriff, Founder of Product Security Team; Gabriela Lopez, Business Risk & Controls Advisor - Technology/Cybersecurity at First Citizens Bank; and Wesley Lo, TPRM Program Mgr at NetApp. The panel discussion will cover the importance of driving diversity within the cybersecurity industry.
Cybersecurity is fundamentally a problem of anticipating and defending against creative adversaries. Yet, the industry often suffers from a lack of diverse perspectives, leading to blind spots in defense strategies and a talent pipeline crisis. This dynamic panel will move beyond simple calls for "more women in tech" to explore the tangible, strategic benefits that diverse teams (spanning gender, race, experience, and background) bring to security operations, risk analysis, and product development.
Featuring security leaders from CISO and Founder roles, alongside senior risk and program managers, the discussion will tackle critical questions:
How do varied cultural and cognitive backgrounds enhance threat modeling?
What tactical steps can North Carolina organizations take to actively recruit and retain a neurodiverse security workforce?
And, what impact does a lack of diversity have on organizational risk profiles?
Attendees will gain actionable strategies for implementing inclusive hiring practices, fostering psychologically safe environments, and leveraging diversity as a core defensive strategy against modern cyber threats. This session is essential for anyone—from executive leadership to entry-level analysts—committed to building stronger, more resilient security programs across the state.
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