Gary recently retired from USAA, after serving over 11 years as a Senior Vice President and their first Chief Security Officer where he was responsible for building out a holistic security program spanning Information Security, Fraud Operations, Privacy, Business Continuation, Physical Security, and Corporate Investigations. Since retiring from USAA, Gary has joined TAG Cyber as an advisor/senior analyst providing cyber security research and advisory services. In addition, Gary provides start-up advising as a member of the Forgepoint Capital Cybersecurity Advisory Council, and serves on two non-profit Boards. Prior to USAA, Gary spent a short time with Deloitte in their federal practice after a 25-year career as an Air Force officer where he served in a variety of leadership and staff positions within the information technology career field including: telecommunications, satellite communications, deployed network operations, and cybersecurity. Most notably, Gary was on the front line of cyberspace operations for the Department of Defense where he supported the establishment and evolution of the Joint Task Force Global Network Operations, the organization that was the focal point for the operation and security of DoD information systems and networks, and pre-cursor to establishment of the US Cyber Command.
Besides church and hospice volunteer activities, Gary is an avid BMW motorcycle rider who enjoys long rides that end up on twisty mountain roads.
Gary McAlum, IANS Faculty member since 2021, provides clients with deep domain-level expertise in board & executive communications, management & leadership, security strategy, crisis response, and cyber risk management.