We recently had the opportunity to speak with Thomas Schweinfurth, Global Director, Information Security – Forensics, Discovery & Insider Investigations at Cargill, Inc., about his experience at our Portland Kodi Connect Executive Networking Exchange. With more than 15 years of experience across information technology and cybersecurity, Thomas specializes in digital forensics, eDiscovery, insider risk, data privacy, information security, and organizational resilience. At Cargill, he leads global programs and cross-functional teams focused on digital investigations, regulatory response, insider risk, and enterprise data loss prevention.

If Thomas had to describe the evening in one word, it would be "candid." For him, the value of the experience came down to the people and the openness of the conversations. His favorite moment was "shaking hands with smiling faces, having honest conversation - knowing everyone in the room was there to learn and grow, not judge." That willingness to share openly made it easier to discuss challenges that cybersecurity leaders don't always have an opportunity to talk through with peers.

One of the biggest takeaways for Thomas was realizing that the challenges his organization faces aren't unique. "Insider risk and DLP challenges, with AI layered within, are not unique to my organization - everyone in that room is fighting similar fights with different strategies and tools." He found the peer discussions particularly valuable because they offered practical perspectives rather than another round of vendor presentations. "Absolutely. A single hour of peer conversation surfaced more useful perspective than a full day of vendor briefings usually does."

For Thomas, these conversations are especially important at the Director level, where leaders are often responsible for navigating complex and highly specific challenges. "At the Director level, within a more confidential space, you're often the only person in the room facing and strategizing your specific problems," he explained. "Peer conversations at this level replace guesswork with tested experience." He also emphasized the importance of having a trusted network outside of one's organization. "Security is isolating by nature - you need people outside your own reporting chain who understand the same pressure and speak the same language."

Ultimately, Thomas sees the value of Kodi Connect in the relationships and knowledge exchange that continue beyond the event itself. He looks forward to collaborating with industry peers, sharing practical cybersecurity insights, and advancing enterprise security through meaningful professional relationships. And when asked whether he would return, his answer was immediate: "Without hesitation. Already looking forward to the next one."

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To stay connected with upcoming Kodi Connect cybersecurity and technology leadership events, you can explore the full schedule of future peer-to-peer networking experiences here: https://www.kodiconnect.com/all-events. These events bring together senior leaders across cybersecurity, cloud, AI, and enterprise technology to share real-world insights and strategies. If you’re interested in taking a more active role in shaping these high-impact discussions, learn more about the Kodi Connect Advisory Board and how industry leaders help guide event programming and community direction here: https://www.kodiconnect.com/advisory-board.