Startling statistic: Nearly 43% of cyberattacks are on small businesses like advertising and marketing agencies because they lack the financial investment, time, and awareness to employ security measures. That’s why small businesses are ideal targets for cybercriminals, according to Accenture’s Cybercrime Study.
To help agency owners be forewarned, former FBI executive special agent John Iannarelli will deliver a keynote speech on “Cybersecurity Tales From the FBI” at the Agency Rainmaker Forum which will be held Feb. 28 and March 1, 2025, at the University of California, San Diego, in La Jolla, California.
Iannarelli fought the fine fight to stop cybercriminals. Among his many FBI assignments, Iannarelli served on the Cyber Division Executive staff and was an Assistant Special Agent in Charge overseeing all Criminal, Cyber, and Counterintelligence investigations. He was recognized with the FBI’s Director Award for Distinguished Service.
Iannarelli, who also served as the FBI’s National Spokesperson, is an engaging and entertaining keynote speaker known for sharing his intriguing insights and superb sense of humor. He has presented to Fortune 500 companies, domestic and international audiences, the United Nations, and the Vatican, where he has personally met on several occasions with Pope Francis.
Iannarelli served as an FBI Special Agent for 20 years, during which he was a SWAT team member and participated in the investigations of the 9/11 attack, the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, the Oklahoma City bombing, the Sony hack, and numerous bank robbery, kidnapping, and extortion cases.
Iannarelli will share how the FBI continues to adapt to meet the challenges posed by the evolving cyber threat:
- The FBI has specially trained cyber squads in each of its 55 field offices, working hand-in-hand with interagency task force partners.
- The rapid-response Cyber Action Team can deploy nationwide within hours to respond to major incidents.
- With cyber assistant legal attachés in embassies across the globe, the FBI works closely with our international counterparts to seek justice for victims of malicious cyber activity.
A former San Diego Police Officer and attorney with international studies at Oxford, England, Iannarelli is admitted to the practice of law in California, Maryland, and Washington DC. In addition, he is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Computer Science in recognition of his contributions to the field of cyber investigations.
Iannarelli was also an NFL Security Representative responsible for ensuring public safety throughout the football season and the Super Bowl. For his work with the Kansas City Chiefs, he received two Super Bowl rings. John is the author of five books, including How to Spot a Terrorist Before It’s Too Late.
His fifth book, Disorderly Conduct, was recently published by Indie Books International. It examines the lighter side of law enforcement and humorous moments from his FBI career.
Iannarelli is a frequent on-air contributor for the national news media and has been profiled in Forbes. He provided live on-scene coverage from Las Vegas of the Mandalay Bay mass shooting attack as it occurred.
The Agency Rainmaker Forum, designed to provide continuing education to advertising and marketing agency leaders, is sponsored by Agency Owner News, Indie Books International, PR/PR Public Relations, Sakas and Company, and the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies.