The road to becoming a Chief Information Security Officer is rarely a straight line. In this candid and personal presentation, William McCaster shares his unconventional journey from IT auditing to becoming a cybersecurity executive. What began as a fascination with information security evolved into a career fueled by curiosity, continuous learning, professional relationships, and a willingness to pursue opportunities beyond his comfort zone.
William will reflect on how involvement in professional organizations such as ISSA and ISC2, strategic career transitions, and lessons learned along the way helped shape his development as both a cybersecurity professional and a leader.
Speaker Bio
William McCaster is a seasoned cybersecurity executive with more than 25 years of experience in information technology, risk management, and information security. He currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Northpointe Bank, where he leads the organization’s cybersecurity strategy, governance, risk management, and security operations. Throughout his career, William has held leadership positions at U.S. Bank, Ohio National Financial Services, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. His professional journey began in IT auditing, where he developed a fascination with information security that ultimately transformed his career. Through continuous learning, professional networking, industry certifications, and intentional career moves, he transitioned from auditing into cybersecurity leadership. William holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a master’s degree in Computer Information Systems. His professional certifications include CISA, CRISC, CDPSE, and CCISO. He is passionate about developing cybersecurity professionals, sharing lessons learned, and helping others navigate their own paths to leadership.