Wayne Towson
Cybersecurity & Risk Executive | Senior Director, Abbott | Former CIO, INTERPOL Washington | Cyber-Physical Convergence & AI-Driven Resilience
- Role
- Sr Director Cybersecurity and Innovation at Abbott
- Location
- Chicago, IL, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Wayne Towson
Cybersecurity and enterprise risk executive with 25+ years leading global programs across…
Experience
Sr Director Cybersecurity and Innovation
Apr 2017 — Present · Chicago, IL, US
As Senior Director of Cybersecurity and Innovation, I lead Abbott’s strategic vision for cyber-physical convergence, integrating physical security systems and cybersecurity programs into a unified governance and risk framework. My focus is on enhancing organizational resilience, advancing regulatory compliance, and aligning GRC with core business functions.I established a cross-functional Security Directorate to streamline enterprise threat visibility, bridge security domains, and deploy innovative technologies including AI-based detection, IoT risk governance, and global threat intelligence integration.Key Accomplishments:• Established a global cyber-physical security strategy combining digital and physical threat detection into a unified operating model, improving response coordination across business units.• Designed and implemented a Vulnerability Management Program focused on IoT security, securing endpoints across security cameras, access control systems, and facility networks.• Led prompt engineering and AI integration into security operations tools, enhancing threat detection precision and reducing false positives.• Unified GRC processes across business units, creating a scalable security risk framework that supports operational efficiencies.• Govern global security infrastructure including Genetec, Lenel, Avigilon, and CCure, ensuring consistent policy enforcement and threat visibility across regional deployments.• Produced actionable threat intelligence sourced from agencies including CISA, ENISA, ODNI, FBI, and private sector threat feeds supporting executive protection and travel risk operations.Core Areas of Impact:• Cyber-Physical Convergence• Innovation in Threat Detection (AI + Prompt Engineering)• IoT Risk & Vulnerability Management• Physical Security Systems Governance• Enterprise GRC Alignment• Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Integration• Regulatory Compliance (FDA, global standards)
Education
University of Maryland Global Campus
MSc
University of Maryland Global Campus
BS Political Science
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