SM&W at ISC East 2025: David Goetz Shares Insight on Cloud Security and Emerging Threats

Hosted annually at the Javits Center in New York City, ISC East brings the security community together for three days of education, new technology, and industry discussion.

During this year’s conference, SM&W’s David Goetz, PSP®, CPP®, Senior Principal and NY ICT Manager, joined industry leaders on the panel Financial Institution Security in the Cloud Era where he offered his perspective on how organizations can modernize their security programs as they move toward cloud-based environments.

Beyond the panel sessions, ISC East featured an extensive expo hall highlighting new technologies and industry innovations.

Throughout the conversation, David emphasized the importance of beginning every project with a clear understanding of an organization’s current state. A thorough assessment of needs, vulnerabilities, and regulatory requirements creates the foundation for a successful cloud transition. From there, establishing well-defined security standards becomes essential. As David shared with the audience, one of the first questions he asks any client is, “What are your standards?” That simple question guides the entire design approach and ensures solutions that are scalable, consistent, and built for long-term performance. Some clients have existing standards, others have standards that may need adjustment, and others rely on SM&W for our expertise and guidance.

The panel also explored how budgets must support thoughtful security design. David noted that aligning investment with lifecycle expectations and risk priorities allows organizations to plan proactively rather than reactively. He spoke about the value of integrating AV, IT, and security consulting early in the process, explaining that when these disciplines work together, systems perform more cohesively and provide greater flexibility, scalability, and a better capacity for interoperability.

Looking ahead, the conversation turned to how emerging technologies, particularly AI-driven real-time threat detection, are reshaping the way institutions monitor and respond to potential risks. These advancements allow organizations to identify anomalies earlier and strengthen their overall resilience in increasingly complex environments.

SM&W is honored to have David represent our firm at ISC East and contribute to an important industry dialogue. We remain committed to helping our clients build security programs that are resilient, future-ready, and informed by the evolving technology landscape.