John Woods

John Woods is an experienced information security professional who currently serves as the Global CISO - Sr. Director of Information Security at RJ O'Brien & Associates LLC, the oldest and largest independent futures brokerage and clearing firm in the United States.1

Career Highlights

Throughout his career, John Woods has held several leadership positions in information security and technology:

• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): He has served as CISO for multiple companies, including PDX, Inc. and Third Wave Innovations.2
• Vice President of Information Security: Woods held this role at Change Healthcare.2
• Co-Founder: He co-founded FalconOps Cybersecurity.2

Expertise and Responsibilities

As the Global CISO at RJ O'Brien, John Woods:

• Manages the company's security posture and addresses challenges related to remote work, ransomware threats, and resource limitations.13
• Implements solutions to decrease detection time for potential security threats.3
• Works with managed security service providers like Deepwatch to enhance 24/7 monitoring capabilities.13

Professional Achievements

• Certifications: Woods holds certifications such as Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).2
• Industry Recognition: He was a finalist for the Tech Titans Emerging Company CIO/CTO Award in 2023.2

Approach to Security

John Woods emphasizes:

• The importance of proactive security measures, particularly in combating ransomware threats.3
• Leveraging managed security services to complement in-house capabilities and improve work-life balance for his team.13
• The value of human expertise in security operations, highlighting the importance of dedicated account managers who understand the nuances of the company's environment.1