Bill Conner Explained

Bill (F. William) Conner
Alma Mater:Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University

F. William Conner is an American business executive. Conner has worked across a variety of high-tech industries, specializing in corporate turnaround, cybersecurity, data and infrastructure.

Early life

Conner was born and raised in West Helena, Arkansas. In 1981, he received his bachelor's degree from Princeton University in mechanical engineering and later earned an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1987.

Career

Conner began his career at AT&T in 1981. Over the next 11 years, he held titles of senior engineer, operations manager, and strategic planner, among others.[1]

Conner held executive positions at Nortel Networks from 1992 to 2001. As the president of Nortel's Enterprise Data Networks, Conner managed its US$9.1 billion acquisition of Bay Networks. As Nortel's first chief marketing officer, he launched the global marketing campaigns "Come Together" and "What Do You Want the Internet to Be?"[2] [3] In 2001, Conner moved into the creation and delivery of identity-based security and services as the chief executive officer and president of Entrust, a private software company.[4] Conner joined when the company was falling from profitability; he launched a restructuring effort and began to trim workforce annually. He launched a new business model focusing on product portfolios targeted to key verticals and geographies.[5]

Conner engineered the company's acquisition by private equity firm Thoma Bravo in 2009[6]  and transitioned Entrust into a private firm. In December 2013, it was announced that Datacard Group had entered into an agreement to purchase Entrust for a reported $500 million. Conner took on a consultant role during the transition.[7]

On January 5, 2015, Silent Circle announced that Conner had been appointed as its chief executive officer, a member of Silent Circle's board of directors, and a member of the board of directors of Blackphone, a secure mobile handset developed by a subsidiary of Silent Circle.[8] On June 17, 2016, Silent Circle blogged that Conner had resigned as CEO and would remain only as an "advisor."[9]

Conner joined SonicWall as president and CEO on November 1, 2016.[10] Formerly a division of Dell Software Inc., SonicWall had been spun off and acquired by Francisco Partners and Elliott Management in June 2016.[11] In October 2017, Francisco Partners acquired Comodo Certification Authority (Comodo CA) and named Conner chairman of the board. In September 2018, Conner outlined the rapid growth in non-standard port threats and explained a business reorganization to serve both the SME and enterprise business markets by focusing on the enterprise verticals of retail, education and government.[12]

In April 2020, Conner introduced SonicWall's new computer security model, the Boundless Cybersecurity model,[13] in response to heightened cybersecurity concerns as remote and hybrid work became increasingly common amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] On July 21, 2022, Conner moved to a new role as executive chairman of the board.

Recently, Conner took over as President and CEO of Jitterbit, having accepted the role in February 2024.[15]

Contributions to cybersecurity and infrastructure global trends

Conner has been active in various public-private partnerships on cybersecurity, cybertheft, and infrastructure security. He helped unveil the INTERPOL Global Smart eID Card and addressed the United Nations on global challenges in cybercrime in June 2010.[16] He co-chaired the Corporate Governance Task Force of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security National Cybersecurity Partnership[17] and was a member of the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (now a branch of TechAmerica technology trade association).[18] Conner was also a member of the Business Software Alliance (BSA), and he created and co-chaired the BSA's Information Security Governance Task Force.[19]

In February 2012, Conner took part in a hearing by the United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce to discuss cybersecurity threats facing the U.S. and the role public-private partnerships play in defense.[20] Conner has recently spent time discussing the effects of spear phishing schemes on weak authentication, notably the rash of attacks on media outlets and the risks of insider threats.[21] [22] [23]

In 2016, Conner became a Forbes community voice contributor as a member of the Forbes Technology Council,[24]  and articles to which he has contributed have featured topics such as cybersecurity and policy trends,[25] cyber threat intelligence,[26]  and how human predictability factors into cyberattacks.[27]  He has also written articles and contributed to reports on email-borne cyberattacks[28]  and ransomware.[29]

In February 2018, Conner collaborated with former secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff on an opinion article written for The Hill detailing actions taken by the U.S. Congress and the SEC regarding cyber accountability and transparency.[30]

In a September 2018 article on cybersecurity trends, Conner described innovative next-generation security techniques in the cloud and the deep web.[31]

Awards and honors

Notes and References

  1. Web site: McWhirter . Douglas . May 2001 . Bill Conner . https://web.archive.org/web/20161029045450/http://www.destinationcrm.com/Articles/Older-Articles/Movers-&-Shakers/Bill-Conner-46742.aspx . October 29, 2016 . January 12, 2022 . CRM Magazine.
  2. Web site: September 27, 1999 . Nortel Networks to debut $100M campaign . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230322133833/https:/adage.com/article/btob/nortel-networks-debut-100m-campaign/248273 . March 22, 2023 . March 14, 2023 . Ad Age . en.
  3. News: September 16, 2003 . Nortel launches aggressive ad campaign . en-CA . The Globe and Mail . April 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230322134529/https:/www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/nortel-launches-aggressive-ad-campaign/article25810752/ . March 22, 2023.
  4. Web site: Executives: Bill Conner . https://web.archive.org/web/20101123180122/http:/entrust.com/corporate/management/bill_conner.htm . November 23, 2010 . March 14, 2023 . Entrust.com . en.
  5. Web site: Mehta . Angel . CEO Spotlight: Bill Conner, Entrust (Newsletter) . https://web.archive.org/web/20160828025524/http:/sterlinghoffman.com/newsletter/articles/article111.html . August 28, 2016 . March 14, 2023 . SterlingHoffman.com.
  6. Web site: July 29, 2009 . Thoma Bravo Completes Entrust Acquisition (Press release) . https://web.archive.org/web/20110717051418/http:/www.thomabravo.com/news/411 . July 17, 2011 . March 14, 2023 . ThomaBravo.com.
  7. Web site: Schatzker . Erik . December 17, 2013 . Quandt Family Buys Entrust in Shift From Card Swipes to Online . https://web.archive.org/web/20220627174620/https:/www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-12-17/quandt-family-buys-entrust-in-shift-from-card-swipes-to-online . June 27, 2022 . March 20, 2023 . Bloomberg.
  8. Web site: January 5, 2015 . Silent Circle Appoints Bill Conner CEO (Press release) . https://web.archive.org/web/20211024105053/https:/www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/silent-circle-appoints-bill-conner-ceo-300015497.html . October 24, 2021 . March 21, 2023 . PRNewswire.com.
  9. Web site: June 17, 2016 . Silent Circle Prepares for Next Stage of Growth in Secure Enterprise Communications Market . https://web.archive.org/web/20221130131514/https:/www.silentcircle.com/blog/silent-circle-prepares-for-next-stage-of-growth-in-secure-enterprise-communications-market/ . November 30, 2022 . March 21, 2023 . SilentCircle.com.
  10. Web site: November 1, 2016 . SonicWall Announces Spin Out from Dell Software Group . https://web.archive.org/web/20171116082631/https:/blog.sonicwall.com/2016/11/sonicwall-becomes-independent-security-company/ . November 16, 2017 . March 20, 2023 . blog.SonicWall.com.
  11. Web site: Davis . Jessica . June 21, 2016 . Dell Software Businesses Sold to Private Equity Firms . https://web.archive.org/web/20211025170915/https:/www.informationweek.com/big-data/dell-software-businesses-sold-to-private-equity-firms . October 25, 2021 . March 20, 2023 . InformationWeek.com.
  12. Web site: Quicke . Simon . September 18, 2018 . SonicWall CEO rallies partners to fend off non-standard ports threat . https://web.archive.org/web/20211024210242/https:/www.computerweekly.com/microscope/news/252448835/SonicWall-CEO-rallies-partners-to-fend-off-non-standard-ports-threat . October 24, 2021 . March 20, 2023 . ComputerWeekly.com.
  13. Web site: April 15, 2020 . SonicWall Boundless Cybersecurity Platform Swiftly Providing Remote Workforces with Secure Mobile Access, Defense in 'New Business Norm' (Press release) . https://web.archive.org/web/20220525135252/https:/www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sonicwall-boundless-cybersecurity-platform-swiftly-providing-remote-workforces-with-secure-mobile-access-defense-in-new-business-norm-301040449.html . May 25, 2022 . March 20, 2023 . PRNewswire.com.
  14. Web site: Olenick . Doug . March 25, 2020 . COVID-19 exposes gaps in cybersecurity safety net as millions work from home . https://web.archive.org/web/20220928004653/https:/www.scmagazine.com/news/content/covid-19-exposes-gaps-in-cybersecurity-safety-net-as-millions-work-from-home . September 28, 2022 . March 22, 2023 . SC Magazine.
  15. Web site: Brooks . Steve . February 14, 2024 . Jitterbit appoints Bill Conner as President and CEO . Enterprise Times.
  16. Web site: United Nations Association of the United States of America . Interpol Head Addresses BCUN, UN Audience . https://web.archive.org/web/20120429093238/http://www.unausa.org/bcun/interpol . April 29, 2012 . March 20, 2023.
  17. Web site: April 12, 2004 . Corporate Governance Task Force of the National Cyber Security Partnership Releases Industry Framework (Press release) . https://web.archive.org/web/20220625010111/https:/www.cyberpartnership.org/041204.html . June 25, 2022 . March 20, 2023 . Cyberpartnership.org.
  18. Web site: Lyman . Jay . February 26, 2004 . Tech Companies Team Up for Internet Security . https://web.archive.org/web/20221127144349/https:/www.technewsworld.com/story/tech-companies-team-up-for-internet-security-32974.html . November 27, 2022 . March 20, 2023 . TechNewsWorld.com.
  19. Web site: Conner . B. . Noonan . T. . Holleyman . R. W. . 2003 . Information Security Governance: Toward a Framework for Action (White paper) . https://web.archive.org/web/20110723135157/http:/www.globaltechsummit.net/press/ISGPaper-2003.pdf . July 23, 2011 . March 20, 2023 . GlobalTechSummit.net.
  20. Web site: February 8, 2012 . Cyber Security and the Private Sector (Video) . https://web.archive.org/web/20221206221421/https:/www.c-span.org/video/?304315-1/cyber-security-private-sector . December 6, 2022 . March 21, 2023 . C-SPAN.org.
  21. Web site: July 16, 2013 . How to Protect Against Cyber-Espionage (Video) . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321204033/https:/sg.news.yahoo.com/video/protect-against-cyber-espionage-154233215.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAE8wNzyFj8xYSsmckmz3jfJK_mBsXGxKUCg5yQl91ijRfsBI_yq6nTmOqWb1HU1lxUpBHh8hKBCpWg-YSDrC9S8RViEv1sUaKqJTrnXI9oHcO0XOAbkihZ1pzijw_Oac9WS0QTEBzLHv3csB5FJ_VtxxyiQKeHJos-YeHcHkOaJ_ . March 21, 2023 . March 21, 2023 . Bloomberg TV. Reposted on YahooNews.com..
  22. Web site: July 16, 2013 . Protecting Petroleum (Video) . https://web.archive.org/web/20181024152703/https:/video.foxbusiness.com/v/2549083744001/ . October 24, 2018 . March 21, 2023 . FoxBusiness.com.
  23. Web site: Acohido . Byron . August 28, 2013 . ID security CEO: 'NYT' hackers did their homework . https://web.archive.org/web/20221207003701/https:/www.usatoday.com/story/cybertruth/2013/08/28/how-a-low-level-hack-shut-down-the-new-york-times/2722869/ . December 7, 2022 . March 21, 2023 . USA Today.
  24. Web site: Bill Conner . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321213417/https:/councils.forbes.com/profile/Bill-Conner-President-CEO-SonicWall/4038fb11-8e5f-407c-8a30-f4dedda74cac . March 21, 2023 . March 21, 2023 . Councils.Forbes.com.
  25. Web site: Conner . Bill . July 23, 2018 . Managing Cybersecurity Policy, Compliance And Enforcement Across The Enterprise . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321213648/https:/www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2018/07/23/managing-cybersecurity-policy-compliance-and-enforcement-across-the-enterprise/?sh=515a97d94137 . March 21, 2023 . March 21, 2023 . Forbes.
  26. Web site: Conner . Bill . May 22, 2018 . Real-Time Cyber Threat Intelligence Is More Critical Than Ever . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321214021/https:/www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2018/05/22/real-time-cyber-threat-intelligence-is-more-critical-than-ever/?sh=57ad6d717fbb . March 21, 2023 . March 21, 2023 . Forbes.
  27. Web site: Conner . Bill . Human Predictability Make Attacks Easy For Threat Actors . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321214538/https:/www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2018/03/06/human-predictability-make-attacks-easy-for-threat-actors/?sh=3c92a12d18e5 . March 21, 2023 . March 21, 2023 . Forbes.
  28. Web site: Conner . Bill . August 18, 2017 . A Constant Threat: The Persistence Of The Email-Borne Cyberattack . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321214706/https:/www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2017/08/18/a-constant-threat-the-persistence-of-the-email-borne-cyberattack/?sh=2154e5ff2b08 . March 21, 2023 . March 21, 2023 . Forbes.
  29. Web site: Conner . Bill . September 24, 2019 . Back-To-School Lists Should Now Include Ransomware . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321215035/https:/www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2019/09/24/back-to-school-lists-should-now-include-ransomware/?sh=66d4e83527cf . March 21, 2023 . March 21, 2023 . Forbes.
  30. Web site: Chertoff . Michael . Conner . Bill . February 27, 2018 . SEC, Congress take steps toward cyber accountability and transparency . https://web.archive.org/web/20220811090308/https:/thehill.com/opinion/technology/375614-sec-congress-take-steps-toward-cyber-accountability-and-transparency/ . August 11, 2022 . March 21, 2023 . The Hill.
  31. Web site: Gorman . Patrick . SonicWall CEO Bill Conner On Cybersecurity Trends CEOs Should Know . https://web.archive.org/web/20221007082327/https:/chiefexecutive.net/sonicwall-ceo-bill-conner-on-cybersecurity-trends-ceos-should-know/ . October 7, 2022 . March 21, 2023 . ChiefExecutive.net. September 25, 2018 .
  32. Web site: May 9, 2017 . Sonicwall CEO Bill Conner Wins Inaugural SC Media 2017 Reboot Leadership Award . https://web.archive.org/web/20221204074829/https:/firewall.news/sonicwall-ceo-bill-conner-wins-inaugural-sc-media-2017-reboot-leadership-award/ . December 4, 2022 . March 22, 2023 . Firewall News.
  33. Web site: August 2018 . The 10 Most Admired CEOs To Watch 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221205113829/https:/insightssuccess.com/the-10-most-admired-ceos-to-watch-2018-august2018-august2018/ . December 5, 2022 . March 22, 2023 . InsightsSuccess.com.
  34. Web site: Winners of the 14th Annual 2018 Info Security PG's Global Excellence Awards . https://web.archive.org/web/20180330183151/http:/www.infosecurityproductsguide.com/world/ . March 30, 2018 . September 5, 2018 . Info Security Products Guide.
  35. Web site: July 30 Red Carpet Awards Gala in San Francisco . https://web.archive.org/web/20180827175131/http:/ceoworldawards.com/world/ . August 27, 2018 . September 5, 2018 . CEO World Awards.
  36. Web site: August 2, 2021 . The Top 25 IT Innovators Of 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225122252/https:/www.crn.com/slide-shows/components-peripherals/the-top-25-it-innovators-of-2021 . December 25, 2022 . March 22, 2023 . CRN.
  37. Web site: May 16, 2022 . 2022 SC Awards Finalists: Security Executive of the Year . https://web.archive.org/web/20230322145344/https:/www.scmagazine.com/editorial/news/leadership/finalists-security-executive-of-the-year?hss_channel=lcp-1470903 . March 22, 2023 . March 22, 2023 . SC Media.

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