Stephen Cobb Email & Phone Number

Coventry, United Kingdom

Research and consulting at the intersection of technology, risk, ethics, gender, health, and public policy. Bringing 30 years of experience in cybersecurity and data privacy to bear on issues such as cybercrime deterrence, ethical technology development, risk analysis, and security awareness. I am independent and vendor-neutral, available for speaking engagements and commentary on emerging threats and implications of new technology, like artificial intelligence, VR, spatial computing, and the metaverse.

Greater San Diego Area

My job is to understand the implications of technical data and analysis coming from ESET's global research network and third party information security research, then use that understanding to inform and improve cybersecurity, through customer education, product development, marketing, and further research. I also perform original research and direct a small team of researchers, all with the goal of helping consumers, companies, and countries Enjoy Safer Technology by mitigating threats to digital devices and data privacy.

Create and teach online graduate courses for the Master of Science in Information Assurance degree program at Norwich University, Vermont. I developed much of the original curriculum and wrote numerous lectures for Norwich's award-winning MSIA program. Recently developed a new course in Business Continuity Management in partnership with Michael Miora, FBCI, (Norwich University has been designated a Center for Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security.)

Greater Philadelphia Area

Managing marketing content and initiatives to evangelize adoption of the Monetate marketing platform by e-commerce enterprises in the U.S. and around the world. Monetate is a unique SaaS technology that makes testing and targeting of website content and features very easy, while dramatically improving revenue and ROI for online retailers, travel companies, and any other firms that conduct B2C business on the web. Currently used by QVC, PETCO, Urban Outfitters, and dozens of other famous brands.Ran a one-person Marketing and Public Relations department for the first two years of product delivery, managing and executing all of the firm's PR and marketing activities, from the website and blog to social media, email, collateral, content, and events management.

As producer on "Dare Not Walk Alone"​ I applied social media PR and marketing strategies to transition an award-winning civil rights documentary from the festival circuit to theatrical and DVD distribution. Results include broad critical acclaim: "Powerful slice of roiling American history"​ -- LA Times. "Packs a punch"​ -- LA Weekly. "Mesmerizing and heart-rending"​ -- L.A. City Beat. "Has great potential to do real good in the world"​ -- Boxoffice Magazine. "A uniquely intimate document."​ -- Variety. "The racial politics of the current presidential election make this film all the more significant." -- Film Journal.While the film never made much money, and never broke even, Dare Not Walk Alone continues to be shown in many schools and communities around the country, particularly during Black History Month. I am particularly proud of the film making the top ten documentary list at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards.

Contributed several chapters to the latest edition.

Helped clients anticipate and mitigate adverse security and privacy implications of business and IT initiatives. Identified risk factors in emerging technologies and behaviors. Informed and formulated organizational risk tolerance. Increased awareness of security and privacy issues within organizations and across markets.

Provided advice and direction on security and business strategy for the world's leading supplier of wired and wireless broadband services for hotels, conferences, and hotspots. Researched privacy and security risks facing business travelers. Raised awareness and understanding of information security challenges for organizations employing an increasingly mobile workforce.

Stephen co-founded and funded ePrivacy Group to fight spam and improve email functionality and effectiveness for e-commerce and marketing purposes. He established timing manipulation as a valid basis for anti-spam technology. Stephen helped develop and fund innovative network-level, anti-spam technology called Spam Squelcher (later TurnTide) and position it for sale to Symantec in a $28 million acquisition.Generated funding for the development of SpamSquelcher/TurnTide through execution of privacy consulting projects, like the creation of a privacy and security training program that Microsoft rolled out to all its employees. Also instrumental in creating and deploying the Trusted Sender email integrity assurance or "trust stamp" system.Stephen was also editor and lead author of the Trusted Email Open Standard (TEOS) which was submitted to the first ever FTC anti-spam hearings and downloaded by tens of thousands of email technologists. Presented testimony to the FTC on the need for improvements to email protocols in order to authenticate legitimate email and eliminate spam.Managed all ePrivacy Group marketing initiatives including content development and PR campaigns.

Security evangelist for two-factor authentication and encryption co-processors, major company product lines. Spoke at and chaired relevant security conferences around the world. Advised companies and government agencies on information system security through industry publications, seminars, and billable consulting engagements. Developed and delivered security education and awareness programs to large numbers of consumers and employees.

Stephen co-founded InfoSec Labs to bring much-needed information security consulting and training products to the newly Internet-connected enterprise. Serving Fortune 1000 companies and government agencies, he developed a suite of productized security education and awareness offerings.Stephen helped analyze the security infrastructure and data privacy implications for numerous high profile organizations, helping them navigate the expansion of their businesses into the realm of e-commerce. He helped grow and credential the firm's Penetration Testing Lab, which maintained a 100% penetration success rate. In addition, Stephen evangelized the firm through public speaking and teaching engagements, papers and articles in technical journals and general industry periodicals, and citations as a subject matter expert in national publications such as the Wall Street Journal.InfoSec Labs was acquired by Rainbow Technologies, now part of SafeNet Inc., in September 1999.

Assessed security exposure for client companies in current and proposed information systems. Assignments included lead consultant on a multi-million dollar medical information system for a $16 billion company, which made significant design changes based on my final report. Worked with media to increase corporate and consumer awareness and understanding of infosec risks and responses, notably the proper use of firewalls.

Oakland, California

Under a contract with IBM, taught thousands of business people how to use personal computers for word processing, spreadsheets, and database management.

Developed and fielded a computerized tax auditing program that enabled the collection of millions of dollars in previously unpaid oil and gas production taxes.

Master'S Degree, Msc In Security And Risk Management

Distance Learning Programme in the Department of Criminology.

B. A, Hons First (Joint), English, Religious Studies

Activities and Societies: Marched in support of gay rights. Marched against apartheid in South Africa.Completed a degree in two subject.

Sixth Form, Economics, English, History

Activities and Societies: Rugby team. English Prize.Protest apartheid in South Africa.

Philosophy Of Religion

Post-graduate teaching assistant. Studying for an MA but funding ran out.