Neal O’Farrell is widely considered to be one of the world’s longest serving cybersecurity experts, 40 years and counting.
And it’s been more than 25 years since his groundbreaking series called The Human Perimeter became one of Tech Target’s Top 10 Executive Briefings of the year.
Neal was an advisor to the first Federal Communications Commission’s cybersecurity roundtable, as well as to President Barack Obama’s Stock Act Panel and an effort to reduce insider trading by members of Congress and senior government employees.
More recently he’s worked with real estate leader Cotality to develop the most comprehensive security education and awareness program for America’s real estate community where his presentations were the highest rated ever for cybersecurity.
Neil has taught audiences in more than 50 countries, blended psychology and cybersecurity in his series on PsyberResilience, and his security training has also been used by more than 100 universities.
In 2003 Neal launched Think Security First, the nation’s very first Cyber Secure City and a unique experiment to raise the security awareness of an entire city (Walnut Creek, CA, pop. 64,000). As part of that initiative, the entire city – residents, businesses, schools, even the Mayor, city council, and police department – participated in extensive security awareness training for an entire year.
Partners in the yearlong initiative included Microsoft, Cisco, McAfee, and AT&T, and received the endorsement of the US Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Homeland Security, and the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc. (ISC)².
In 2011 Neal won SC Magazine’s Editors Choice Award at RSA for his work in launching the non-profit Identity Theft Council. A former editor for the Hack Proofing series of security guides, he’s also currently a member of the expert review board for CNET with a focus on fraud and cybercrime.
Neal has been quoted in numerous publications around the world including the New York Times, Forbes, Inc., the Wall St. Journal, the Huffington Post, CNN Money, BusinessWeek, USA Today, SmartMoney, CNET, Information Week, the National Law Journal, Today.com, NBC, CBS, CNBC, Fox Business, and the South China Morning Post.
“Neal received our Highest 2019 Attendee Satisfaction Survey Results. 95% Overall Value and 93% Education Value. Huge.” The Silicon Valley Business Travel Association
“When we asked the FBI if they could recommend an expert speaker, they unequivocally recommended Neal. Even if you can’t get him in person, they said, have him just call it in. He’s that good!” Wealth management firm, Sacramento CA
“Thank you Neal for such a great session. The proof is in the rating – our highest yet for security.” Lisa Gaetz, Director of Marketing, Cotality Real Estate Solutions
THE IDENTITY THEFT COUNCIL
One of the country’s first community based initiatives to combat one of America’s biggest crime epidemics.
IN THE COMPANY OF THIEVES
One of the first documentaries to go inside the world of identity thieves, the prosecutors who chase them, and the victims they leave behind.
OPERATION STOP IT
Led by Neal O’Farrell, the first major crackdown on identity theft by America’s police chiefs.
SENIOR SCAMS IN PERSPECTIVE
Financial fraud cost older adults up to $81.5 billion in 2024.
Adults age 60 and older are more likely to report losses of $100,000 or more due to financial fraud.
Between 2020 and 2024 the number of seniors reporting losses to scams increased sevenfold.
Those in their 70s reported losing a median of $20,000 to investment scams, compared to the median of $1,551 stolen from victims in their 20s.
Scams are more than just financial losses and can impact mental and physical health, reduce trust and self confidence, increase isolation and loneliness, and even shorten lives.
Traditional scams targeting retirees and other older persons are increasingly powered by artificial intelligence, raising the risk of those targeted becoming victims to financial losses and identity theft.
