May 2026 Announcing Board and Director Nominees for 2026 This month, we are pleased to share the members nominated for our open board and director positions: Vice President, Kurt Hazel; Secretary, Brian Kelley; Treasurer, Eddie Zimmer; Director, Katrina Suber. Each of these individuals has expressed a willingness to contribute their time, insight, and energy in support of the chapter’s ongoing work. We are grateful for their commitment and for the spirit of service they represent within our professional community. Our annual general meeting will take place on June 25, 2026. The event will begin with a Privacy & Data Protection training session, followed by the chapter’s business meeting. During this time, we will begin the election process for the nominated positions and reflect briefly on where we’ve been and where we are headed. This gathering serves as an important touchpoint in the life of the chapter to bringing members together not only to stay informed, but to remain connected to the direction and leadership of the organization. We hope you will plan to join us for this meaningful time together. Meet the 2026 Board Nominees Your Role in Shaping the Chapter's Future One of the simplest, yet most meaningful, benefits of chapter membership is the opportunity to have a voice in what comes next. Participation in the annual general meeting is one of the clearest ways that voice is expressed. It doesn’t require a significant commitment, just a willingness to set aside a small portion of your time to stay engaged. On June 25, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in the election process that helps shape the chapter’s leadership and direction. While the act itself may seem small, it reflects something larger: a shared responsibility for the health and continuity of the professional community we all benefit from. Strong chapters are not built solely on programs or leadership, they are sustained by members who remain present, attentive, and willing to participate when it matters. Your involvement helps ensure that the chapter continues to serve its members with relevance and purpose. A couple of hours invested here can have a lasting impact for you, and for SC Midlands ISACA. Building Community Our recent outing at Stars and Strikes in Irmo made for a fantastic evening of tacos, bowling, and arcade games! It was a great opportunity for members to step away from their desks and connect in a relaxed, informal setting. With an easy rhythm of friendly competition and conversation, people moved freely between lanes and tables, swapping stories and getting to know one another. It was a great reminder that building our professional network can be just as fun as it is rewarding. Thank you to everyone who came out! Chapter Service Opportunities Looking for a way to make a difference in the chapter without a large time commitment… and earn CPE credit in the process? Monthly volunteer opportunities with the Education team or Newsletter team are a great way to contribute, share your ideas, and see the impact of your efforts. Typical involvement takes about one to two hours per month and is flexible around your schedule. Work is focused on the behind-the-scenes activities that help the chapter function smoothly, including planning, brainstorming, coordination, and content development. By joining one of these teams, you help strengthen the chapter while gaining exposure to the inner workings of our events and communications. Many members find it rewarding simply to contribute in a meaningful, low-pressure way. For those interested in deeper involvement, volunteering is also a natural way to become more familiar with chapter leadership, though there is no expectation beyond what fits your availability. Interested? Reach out to Todd Wilkins to learn more. Upcoming Training & Events Upcoming Events May 19-20 (14 CPE) IT Risk Fundamentals Registration  Certificate Details June 25 (2 CPE) Virtual Lunch & Learn and Annual General Meeting Registration The Practical Guide for Implementing Privacy Governance Program Annual Membership Meeting/ Elections July 14-15 IT Audit Fundamentals Certificate Details GRC Conference 2026 – Save Your Spot Early Join ISACA and The Institute of Internal Auditors for one of the most anticipated GRC events of the year—GRC Conference 2026, taking place August 17–19 in San Diego (or virtually).  This premier event brings together leading voices in governance, risk, and control to equip professionals with practical insights, emerging trends, and real-world strategies for today’s evolving risk landscape.  With 40+ sessions, 50+ expert speakers, and the opportunity to earn up to 28 CPE credits, this is a valuable investment in both your career and your organization.  Early bird pricing is available through June 19—now is the time to secure your spot and plan ahead.  Whether you attend in person or online, this is your opportunity to learn, connect, and grow alongside the GRC community.  Register today!  The Techno Security & Digital Forensics Conference will be held June 2–4 at the Myrtle Beach Sheraton & Convention Center, bringing together private sector and government professionals focused on digital forensics and computer security. This annual event provides a strong opportunity to engage with peers, explore emerging threats, and stay current on industry trends. Through our partnership, attendees can receive 10% off registration using code East26 at Techno Security & Digital Forensics. Our chapter will also have a presence at the conference. One of our officers will be attending and hosting a table between sessions—stop by to connect and show your support. Build Strong Risk Awareness Through IT Risk Fundamentals No matter your experience level, IT Risk Fundamentals gives you the tools to confidently understand and manage IT-related risk. This course isn’t just theory. It’s practical, actionable knowledge you can apply immediately, whether you’re a newcomer looking to build a foundation or a seasoned practitioner refreshing your skills.  Join us virtually, May 19-20 for live training with Leighton Johnson, an accomplished IT risk professional and instructor, who brings real-world insights. You’ll explore six critical domains: risk governance, identification, assessment, response, and communication. This will arm you to spot risk, evaluate its impact, and communicate effectively with your team or leadership.  Beyond the learning, this training is a chance to boost your professional confidence, add a recognized credential to your portfolio, and gain practical takeaways that make your day-to-day work easier and more effective. Participants earn 14 CPE upon completion and leave with practical knowledge for risk fundamentals.  Whether you’re looking to grow your career, strengthen your team, or simply stay ahead in the evolving world of IT risk, this course delivers real value you can use immediately. Register today! Where Training Meets Community Donald Catanzaro, System Security Officer at BCBSSC I have been fortunate enough to present to my fellow Security and Compliance peers over the past nine years as a member of the SC Midlands ISACA chapter. Recently, I was asked to share a memory from a previous chapter event. The air in Columbia carried that crisp December chill, but the Riverbanks Zoo was transformed into a glowing sanctuary of lights and blowing “snow” (well, at least the fluff looked like snow). As we walked toward Ndoki Lodge, the “Lights Before Christmas” twinkled like fallen stars caught in the trees, casting a magical amber hue over the winding paths. There was an effortless peace in the evening; the distant, rhythmic sounds of the animals settling in for the night mingled with the soft chatter of families exploring the holiday displays. It was a moment frozen in a simpler time, where the only thing on the horizon was the shared joy of the season and the quiet anticipation of the morning’s presentation. Stepping inside Ndoki Lodge, the atmosphere shifted from the wintry magic of the zoo to an intimate, rustic elegance. The towering stone fireplace and high wooden beams created a backdrop that felt more like a grand wilderness retreat than a corporate venue. Here, the “face-to-face” experience wasn’t just a logistical detail—it was the heartbeat of the event. As you stood before the ISACA group to dive into the world of Configuration Management, the connection was electric. I could see the subtle nods of understanding and the inquisitive glints in their eyes as you broke down complex frameworks; it was clear the message was resonating deeply with a crowd hungry for those tangible, real-world insights. Between training sessions, the lodge buzzed with the kind of networking that defines our best professional memories. Over food and drinks, it wasn’t just technical talk about baselines and audits—it was rapport built through laughter and firm handshakes. The spectacular view of the surrounding greenery through the lodge’s expansive windows served as a constant reminder of the world’s vibrance. The training felt less like a lecture and more like a community gathering, where the strength of the ISACA network was forged in the simple, profound act of being present together in such a wild and beautiful place. For those that wanted to stay after the event, the full “Lights Before Christmas” was open to families, and it really was a memorable experience. A few of us from the event met up with our +1s and toured the lights. It was my first time to the zoo, and I have returned every year at different times with family and friends. Donald Catanzaro serves as System Security Officer at BCBSSC. He has worked in the federal space for over twenty years, providing cybersecurity and privacy support to CMS, the Veterans Administration, and the Department of Defense. Choosing the Right Framework The Optimal Risk Management Framework: Identifying the Requirements and Selecting the Framework Original Article By: Larry Marks, CISA, CRISC, CGEIT, C|CISO, CCSK, CFE, CISSP, CSTE, ITIL, PMP Published: ISACA Journal 2019 Volume 1 As organizations continue to adopt new technologies and face increasingly complex cyber threats, one challenge remains constant: how to effectively manage IT risk. A recent ISACA Journal article highlights an important reality; no single risk framework fits every situation. While organizations may rely on established approaches such as COBIT, NIST, or ISO, these frameworks are only as effective as the way they are applied. The real challenge is not simply selecting a framework but understanding when and how to use it. Different threats, business objectives, and environments require different approaches. A framework that works well in one scenario may fall short in another. This places greater emphasis on the practitioner’s ability to think critically, adapt, and apply foundational risk principles in context. The article also points out a common gap across organizations: many have access to strong frameworks but lack the depth of knowledge or experience needed to implement them effectively. Without a clear understanding of risk identification, assessment, and response, even the best frameworks can become overly complex or underutilized. This is where building a solid foundation becomes essential. Professionals who understand the core elements of IT risk; how to identify it, evaluate it, and communicate it, are better equipped to navigate complexity and support informed decision-making. These skills not only strengthen individual capability but also improve how organizations respond to evolving threats. For those looking to strengthen this foundation, opportunities like IT Risk Fundamentals offer a practical way to build confidence and develop real-world skills that can be applied immediately. These skills not only strengthen individual capability but also improve how organizations respond to evloving threats. Are you ready to strengthen your foundation? Opportunities like our upcoming course offer a practical way to build confidence and develop real-world skills that can be applied immediately. Reserve your spot for IT Risk Fundamentals register here. SC Midlands ISACA | PO Box 12771 | Columbia | SC | 29211 | US This message was sent through the SC Midlands ISACA's CVENT system. If you no longer want to receive emails from Newsletters 2026, please Opt-Out. This will remove you from the current campaign only.