
About Our Chapter
The Greater Cincinnati Chapter was founded in 1998 by a group of local security practitioners. Our chapter is comprised of security professionals from Cincinnati, Dayton, and Northern Kentucky. We are a not-for-profit organization with a mission of "Developing and Connecting the Greater Cincinnati Cybersecurity Leaders."
We strive to provide a venue for security professionals to network with fellow practitioners, educational opportunities to help support professional growth, and unique learning opportunities for local university and high school students. The chapter holds rehular bi-monthly meetings at MEdpace HQ in Cincinnati along with other networking events throughout the year.
The Greater Cincinnati ISSA Chapter welcomes you to come join us in representing the voice of information security!
Members
Events This Year
Company Sponsors
Our Mission
- Educate and enhance the knowledge and skills of it's members and the community in the interrelated fields of information systems security.
- Encourage an open exchange of information security techniques, approaches, and problem solving by chapter members and the community.
- Provide communication to keep members abreast of current events in information security, providing benefits to them and their employers.
Activities
- Bi-Monthly Chapter Meetings - during which we typically invite speakers to address different security issues. The topics vary from non-technical (leadership, compliance, metrics, security awareness) to highly technical (deep dives on specific technologies). The meetings also provide great networking opportunities with other Information Security professionals in the Cincinnati region.
- Social Chapter Events – including our two annual holiday events, annual golf outing, and much more!
- Capture The Flag Event – a friendly competition hosted by our partners at the University of Cincinnati that is made of up of 150 local students and practitioners
- CISSP Training – in person training sessions with other local security professionals who are looking to obtain their CISSP credentials
Why Join Us?
- Build professional relationships.
- Keep up on developments in information security.
- Content of chapter meetings.
- Professional development or educational programming offerings.
- Earn CPEs/CPUs.
- Learn practical and best practices in cyber security.
- Career growth and employment opportunities.
- Advance the profession.
- Give back to the community.
- Develop the next generation of cyber security professionals.
Chris Parker
Chapter President & Board MemberChris has been involved with the Cincinnati ISSA chapter for the past 13 years, serving as President for the past 5. He enjoys working with the local security community to help find ways to drive value in the profession for years to come. Chris is a 16 year resident of Cincinnati, originally hailing from Buffalo, NY (go Bills!). Along with being ISSA President, Chris is an Account Executive for Abnormal Security. He graduated St. Bonaventure University
Cole Ciambro
Chapter Vice President & Board MemberA proud Cincinnati native, Cole now calls Pleasant Ridge home. He thrives on quality time with family and friends, staying active, exploring new places, and passionately cheering on his beloved Bengals and Buckeyes. Cole is a Miami University alumnus, where he not only played collegiate lacrosse but also co-founded the first of three entrepreneurial ventures—igniting a lifelong passion for innovation and leadership. Today, Cole brings that same drive to his role as an Account Executive at Push Security, while also helping lead the local ISSA Chapter. Whether on the field, in the boardroom, or building community, Cole brings energy, dedication, and a team-first mindset to everything he does.
Mariana Padilla
Director of Social Media & Board MemberMariana is the Co-Founder and CEO of HACKERverse, an AI-driven sales enablement tool focused on cybersecurity sales. Mariana is also the previous founder of Red Lab Marketing. Mariana is deeply committed to making the cybersecurity space more diverse, equitable, and inclusive and leverages her platform and position to open the door for more women and people of color to enter cybersecurity. She was named a woman to watch in cybersecurity by Authority Magazine and was the recipient of scholarships from both Women in Cybersecurity & Protection and Women in Cybersecurity organizations for her work diversifying the space.
Joey Hacker
Board MemberJoey Hacker joined the ISSA Board in Q4 of 2022. Mr. Hacker attended Morehead State University where he played baseball for the Eagles. Following his graduation, Joey co-founded with his brother a company they were able to sell for profit after 15 exciting years. He resides in Loveland Ohio with his wife and four kids. Joey is a Client Executive for Guidepoint Security where he advises Fortune 500 companies throughout the US on their cyber security initiatives and technical needs.
Chris Tyo
Board MemberChris Tyo has lived in the Greater Cincinnati area for most of his life and currently resides in Milford, OH, with his wife and two kids. A graduate of Batavia High School, he went on to complete his BS in Electrical Engineering at Ohio University in Athens, OH. With deep connections to Ohio and the Cincinnati area, Chris attributes much of his success to the tight-knit security community in the region and is dedicated to fostering that culture. Professionally, Chris has over 15 years of cybersecurity experience, with a career that spans the retail, chemical, manufacturing, and financial sectors. Chris is the Deputy CISO for Black & Veatch. He joined the Greater Cincinnati ISSA board in January 2024 and serves on the academic advisory board for Xavier University’s Cyber Security Program. Outside of his professional life, Chris enjoys photography, disc golf, helping behind the scenes with local children's theater, and immersing himself in tabletop games.
Radhika Chaklasiya
Board MemberRadhika was born and raised in India and moved to the United States a few years ago. She holds a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from India and earned her Master's in Information & Cybersecurity in 2022. Currently, Radhika serves as a Senior Information Security Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Analyst at the University of Cincinnati. In this role, she brings a multidisciplinary approach to data security—managing enterprise risks and developing secure solutions in complex environments. In September 2024, Radhika joined the Greater Cincinnati ISSA board, where she has been actively contributing to the growth and engagement of the local cybersecurity community. Outside of work, Radhika is passionate about continuous learning and believes in maintaining a balanced lifestyle. She enjoys running, reading, and spending quality time with her family.
Dionte Grinstead
Director of Student Engagement & Board MemberBorn and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dionte has a passion for community involvement and lifelong learning. In his free time, Dionte enjoys golfing, playing the guitar, spending time with friends, and traveling. An advocate for sharing knowledge and assisting others, Dionte actively participates in community activities. Dionte attended Wright State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Cybersecurity. While at Wright State, Dionte showcased musical talents as the lead trumpet player in the university's jazz ensemble. Currently, Dionte works at Cintas as an Information Security Governance, Risk, and Compliance Analyst where he brings his expertise and dedication to the field of information security.
Jaclyn Spangler
Board MemberJaclyn Spangler is an Information Security Engineer in the CIAM (Customer Identity and Access Management) space at Fifth Third Bank. She joined the bank after completing a rigorous 14-week technology bootcamp through Tech Elevator, transitioning into the tech industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since joining Fifth Third, she has focused on enhancing secure and seamless access to the bank’s digital platforms, including its mobile and web applications. Her journey into cybersecurity is rooted in a passion for problem-solving and a commitment to continuous learning. Prior to her career in technology, she gained valuable experience in the beer sales industry, where she developed strong communication and event coordination skills. These experiences now inform her collaborative approach to security and her active involvement in organizing InfoSec community events, both within the bank and across the Greater Cincinnati area. As a new board member of the Greater Cincinnati ISSA chapter, she is excited to contribute to the region’s growing cybersecurity community and support initiatives that promote education, networking, and professional development.