From Friction to Force Multiplier: Making Security a True Business Enabler
Already registered? Click here to log in.
Summary
Security has long been viewed as a source of friction—slowing development, complicating operations, and constraining innovation. But leading organizations are redefining that narrative. In this session, Nikola Dalcekovic is joined by Andrew Kling, VP of Cybersecurity & Product Security Officer at Schneider Electric, for a forward-looking discussion on how security can evolve into a true business enabler. With deep expertise spanning cloud security, distributed systems, and large-scale industrial cybersecurity programs, the speakers will share perspectives on managing risk while enabling growth across complex, software-driven environments.
Moderated by Joe from RunSafe—Founder and CEO of a company pioneering cyberhardening for embedded and industrial systems—this conversation will bridge theory and practice, exploring how modern security approaches can align with business priorities without introducing unnecessary drag.
Attendees will gain actionable insights into shifting security left, scaling risk management across the software supply chain, and embedding resilience into systems by design. The session will ultimately demonstrate how organizations can move from reactive security postures to proactive strategies that accelerate innovation, strengthen trust, and turn security into a measurable force multiplier.
Speakers
Nikola Dalcekovic
Division CSO | Cybersecurity Executive Leading Security Strategy
Schneider Electric
Nikola Dalcekovic is a Cybersecurity Officer for Prosumer Software at Schneider Electric with over a decade of experience spanning software engineering and cybersecurity leadership. He partners with executive leadership to strengthen secure development practices, risk management, and incident readiness across high-profile products. Nikola holds a PhD in the security field, is CISSP and CSSLP certified, and has published more than 10 scientific papers.
Andy Kling
VP Cybersecurity
Schneider Electric
Andy has more than four decades of software development experience across multiple industries. He has worked at Schneider Electric since 2001. At Schneider Electric, Andy has managed numerous process control engineering teams. As a result of this experience, Andy has led the Schneider Electric Development organization in achieving compliance with ISA 62443 cybersecurity standards at the process, product, and system levels, achieving several security-related world firsts along the way. Andy is a leader in the Schneider Electric technical cybersecurity community, serves on multiple industry committees, is a technical board member for First Watch, and regularly guest lectures in university cybersecurity courses.
Joe Saunders
CEO & Founder
RunSafe Security
Joe Saunders is Founder & CEO of RunSafe Security. He leads a team of former national security cyber experts on a mission to make critical infrastructure safe. Working with companies such as Lockheed Martin, GE Vernova, and Vertiv as well as the US Army, US Navy, US Air Force, and dozens of other organizations, RunSafe Security identifies risk in your software supply chain, prevents exploitation of embedded systems, and monitors software for indicators of compromise and bugs.
