It is rare these days to meet a person with true vision. I mean a person who can just look at a topic and instinctively
know what it would take to succeed in that arena. It is even more rare to find a person that is also passionate about the topic to which they are applying their vision. And the rarest find is a person who has all of the above AND the nerve and the fortitude to do actually try to do something with that vison and passion, all the while inspiring others to join up and do the same.
Well, my faithful readers, I have found one of these rare people. Many of you know Michael J. Santarcangelo, II. Known affectionately as Santa to some (play on the name for you thinking he’s fat and jolly and has a white beard and rosy cheeks and… you get the idea), Michael is founder of The Security Catalyst blog and podcast. Instead of writing a bunch of stuff about him, here’s his bio from the above site:
One of the top rated and most requested speakers on security issues and certification training, Michael is a coach, consultant, professional speaker, and leader active in reshaping the future of information security. His rare approach of blending multiple disciplines together allows him to connect with audiences around the world as he invites people to think differently. He brings this passion and energy to podcasting as the Security Catalyst and works to explain and demystify security so everyone is able to protect themselves.
Michael is the catalyst behind Security 2.0. In addition, he is the founder of the Catalyst Community, The Trusted Catalysts, Security School House (announced September 2006) and was the founding President of the Tech Valley (New York) ISSA Chapter. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Policy Analysis from Cornell University.
Now, before you people start wondering if I have some unnatural attraction to Michael, let me state that I am writing this (and will be writing more) because I believe Michael knows the sad state security is in now days and really wants, even needs, to do something about it. How do I know? I’ll tell you how!
Michael has brought together a group of security professionals (including yours truly) to form a group called The Trusted Catalysts and the Catalyst Community. In joining The Trusted Catalysts, I have conversed with Michael via email and chat, and I thought he had a good vision. But then I actually got to talk to Michael on the phone yesterday, and it truly struck home just what Michael is all about. The guy had so much to talk about he seemed about to burst at the seams (I don’t mean that in a bad way – I asked him to explain what all he had in mind for the Catalysts, and I got it). He is a wealth of information and experience, and he wants to give that away. He’s not a selfish person who wants to be the one guy who knows it all and people have to come to. He wants to genuinely help the security community. I guess I stand corrected. That is the rarest kind of person.
I am saying all this because I want to give you a heads up if you don’t know about Michael and the Catalyst Community. You need to watch the Catalyst Community over the next year and the years to come. I think this community will grow, and I think it will become a tremendous force in the security industry within a few years. And with Michael’s vision and inspiration, it will be a truly positive force, unlike what one security focused organization has become – I won’t name names, but it starts with “(” and end s with “2″.
Thanks to Michael for his passion, vision, energy, candor, and unselfishness. I hope I didn’t embarrass you too much. And I like the hair (or lack thereof).
Vet
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