Francois Mouton
Group CISO, Geomatikk Holding AS
Oslo, Norway
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Francois Mouton, the Chief Information Security Officer at Geomatikk, is an accomplished professional in the realm of cybersecurity. With expertise spanning social engineering, penetration testing, and digital forensics, he has made remarkable contributions to the field. In 2018, he earned his PhD in Computer Science from the University of Pretoria, focusing on the intricacies of social engineering and methods for safeguarding against psychological manipulation.
During his academic journey, Francois showcased his intellectual versatility by completing undergraduate modules in both psychology and accounting at the University of Pretoria. His scholarly impact is underscored by numerous international publications, primarily on digital forensics readiness and social engineering. With an h-index and i10-index of 13, his research has left a significant imprint on the social engineering landscape. Francois's deep understanding of human psychology extends beyond the academic realm. His insights have propelled him to excel on the international stage in electronic sports, earning him South African national colours in 2016 as he represented his country internationally.
His vocational journey commenced as an information warfare researcher at South Africa's national research institute, where he honed his skills in both offensive and defensive technologies for governmental and military bodies. Later, he led an incident response team for a cyber insurance company, overseeing investigations in diverse sectors, including finance, healthcare, and government.
Francois was headhunted to Norway and embraced a role as an associate professor in cybersecurity. After his tenure as an associate professor in Norway, Francois transitioned back into a vocational role, assuming the position of a manager for the incident response team at one of the big four consulting firms. In this capacity, he also led several vital cyber due diligence projects for venture capital firms. In addition to his professional role, Francois imparts knowledge as an extraordinary senior lecturer at the University of the Western Cape.
Francois's unique journey, spanning South Africa and Norway, has endowed him with a profound appreciation of cultural differences within organizations. As CISO, he has harnessed this insight to elevate Geomatikk’s cybersecurity posture, positioning the company as one of the cyber leaders among a group of portfolio companies.
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Social Engineering: Predicting Cyber Threats Through Insights from Immunology
In boardroom discussions about security awareness investment, there's often scepticism, typically from someone convinced they're immune to social engineering attacks. This mindset challenges the perceived value of security awareness programs. However, the widespread organisational commitment to these programs marks a positive trend.
Yet, the question of sufficiency arises. Drawing a parallel to flu vaccinations—where opinions and outcomes vary widely—highlights the complexity of preparing for future social engineering threats. This analogy leads us to question: What do immunology trends tell us about the future of cyber security?
This presentation delves into how advancements in immunology inform the evolution of social engineering tactics, particularly through the use of large language models. These models enhance the sophistication of attacks, bypassing the defences of even the most informed individuals.
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