July 2026 2026 Election Results As we conclude our annual election process, we want to recognize and welcome those stepping into new leadership roles within our chapter: Kurt Hazel as Vice President, Brian Kelley as Secretary, Eddie Zimmer as Treasurer, and Katrina Suber as Director. Each brings experience, commitment, and a shared focus on supporting our members and strengthening the chapter.  Leadership is one expression of responsibility within a professional association, but it is not the only one. Across our chapter, stewardship is reflected in many forms. It is seen in members who help shape programs, contribute ideas for training, volunteer their time, and support chapter operations behind the scenes.  It is also reflected in members who engage in discussions, mentor peers, and participate in chapter events. These contributions, both visible and behind the scenes, are what sustains our work and moves us forward as a chapter.  Our chapter continues to grow because responsibility is shared. When we participate, contribute, and improve together, we strengthen both our programs and the value we deliver to one another as professionals.  The official 2026 election results are available through ourElection Runner results page. The 2026-2027 Chapter Board looks forward to serving our members. Bringing Others Along Katrina Suber, MA, CPM, CDPSE As I prepare to join the SC Midlands ISACA Chapter Board as a newly elected director, I am honored to have the opportunity to serve this community of professionals. While my specific board role will be determined in the coming weeks, I am excited to contribute my time, talents, and passion for professional growth.  My journey with ISACA began when I discovered the CDPSE certification. As I learned more about the organization and its mission, I saw an opportunity to contribute to something larger than myself, helping professionals develop the skills and knowledge needed to drive tomorrow’s innovations.  When I think about stewardship, I think about responsibility. We are entrusted with knowledge, experience, and skills that have been shaped throughout our careers. Stewardship means not holding those things for ourselves. It means bringing others along, sharing lessons learned, and helping the next generation of professionals go further than we did.  One leadership lesson I wish I had learned earlier is that leaders are not expected to be perfect. Instead, they are expected to be proficient, authentic, and willing to learn. That perspective continues to shape how I approach both service and leadership.  Our chapter has tremendous opportunities to expand learning, strengthen professional connections, and create more ways for members to share their expertise. My encouragement to every member is simple: maximize your investment. Attend events, participate in meetings, and get involved. Our chapter grows stronger when each of us contributes to its success.  How to Contribute to the Chapter One of the most valuable benefits of chapter membership is the opportunity to contribute. While education, certifications, and networking are important, volunteering offers a unique way to develop leadership skills, expand professional relationships, and help shape the future of the chapter.  Stewardship often begins with small contributions. Suggesting a training topic, connecting the chapter with a speaker, reviewing newsletter content, or helping coordinate an event can provide meaningful experience while supporting fellow members. These opportunities allow members to share their expertise, influence chapter activities, and strengthen the professional community we all benefit from.  Sometimes the greatest value of membership comes not only from what we receive, but from what we help build together.  Get Involved! Members strengthen our chapter through participation. Small contributions in content, education, or operations help shape the programs we deliver together. Contact Todd Wilkins to learn more. Help Shape the Future of CMMC Certifications ISACA International is inviting current CMMC Certified Professional (CCP) and CMMC Certified Assessor (CCA) credential holders to contribute to the next generation of CMMC certifications.  Following a significant milestone in the cybersecurity profession, ISACA now serves as the credentialing authority responsible for training and certifying assessors and instructors within the Department of Defense Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) ecosystem. As the CMMC Assessor & Instructor Certification Organization (CAICO), ISACA oversees certification development, examination administration, and training quality for these critical credentials.  As part of this effort, ISACA is actively seeking experienced CCP and CCA holders to participate in certification development activities and help shape future exam content, training materials, and credential pathways.  This is a unique opportunity for qualified professionals to contribute their expertise, influence the evolution of the CMMC program, and support the development of the cybersecurity workforce serving the Defense Industrial Base.  Current CCP and CCA credential holders interested in volunteering can learn more through ISACA’s CMMC certification program resources and volunteer opportunities.  Why it matters: The CMMC program continues to grow in importance as organizations working with the U.S. Department of Defense demonstrate their ability to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Federal Contract Information (FCI). By contributing to certification development, volunteers help ensure future credential holders are prepared to meet these evolving cybersecurity requirements.  Stewardship Starts Before Authority Stewardship is often associated with leadership positions, but some of the most important acts of stewardship happen long before authority enters the picture. It happens when professionals take ownership, share knowledge, improve processes, mentor others, and leave things better than they found them. In this month’s Read. React. Respond., we challenge members to identify one thing they can improve over the next 30 days and take action. Read the full discussion and tell us: What does stewardship mean in your role, and what is one thing you are committed to leaving better than you found it? Upcoming Training & Events Upcoming Events July 14-15 IT Audit Fundamentals Register Certificate Details August 18-19 Cybersecurity Fundamentals (Save the Date) Certificate Details November 18-20 SC Statewide Audit Conference (Save the Date) GRC Conference 2026 – Join the Conversation The countdown is on for GRC Conference 2026, happening August 17–19 in San Diego and online.  Hosted by ISACA and The Institute of Internal Auditors, this conference is where governance, risk, and control professionals come together to share ideas, tackle challenges, and shape the future of the profession.  From in-depth sessions to inspiring general speakers, this event is built to help you:  Strengthen your approach to risk and governance  Learn from real-world case studies  Expand your professional network  Earn valuable CPE credits  Whether you’re looking to sharpen your expertise or gain fresh perspective, this is your opportunity to engage with the broader GRC community.  Make your plans now to be part of the conversation.  Stewardship in the Age of AI-Assisted Audit Examining the Role of AI and Automation in IT Audit  Original Article By: Rebecca Lam, CISA, CRISC, SECURITY+  Published: 25 February 2026  Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of the auditor’s toolkit. From analyzing large data sets to identifying anomalies and automating repetitive tasks, these technologies offer opportunities to improve efficiency and expand audit coverage. Yet, as Rebecca Lam reminds us in Examining the Role of AI and Automation in IT Audit, the most important responsibility in the audit process has not changed: accountability remains with the auditor.  Good stewardship is not about controlling every process or performing every task manually. It is about accepting responsibility for outcomes. As AI tools become more capable, the temptation may be to place greater trust in automated analysis simply because it appears objective, comprehensive, or mathematically precise. However, technology does not eliminate the need for professional judgment. In many ways, it makes that judgment even more important.  The article highlights a critical principle for auditors and risk practitioners: AI should inform decisions, not make them. Models can identify patterns, flag exceptions, and accelerate testing, but they cannot fully understand organizational context, business objectives, risk appetite, or the human factors that often determine whether a finding truly matters. Those responsibilities remain squarely with the auditor.  This lesson is especially relevant for professionals building their foundation in IT audit. The fundamentals of auditing have always centered on evidence, skepticism, validation, and documentation. While tools evolve, those principles endure. Whether reviewing a spreadsheet, a system log, or the output of an AI model, auditors must still ask the same questions: Is the information reliable? How was it produced? What assumptions were made? Does the conclusion make sense within the broader business context?  As organizations continue to adopt AI-enabled technologies, auditors have an opportunity to serve as stewards of responsible governance. That means evaluating not only whether a tool works, but whether it operates transparently, ethically, and within appropriate controls. It means ensuring that accountability remains visible even when decision-making processes become more complex.  The future of auditing will undoubtedly include more automation. Yet the profession’s value has never been found in collecting evidence alone. It lies in interpreting that evidence, challenging assumptions, and helping organizations make informed decisions. Technology may change how we perform our work, but stewardship ensures we never lose sight of why we do it.  As we prepare for our upcoming IT Audit Fundamentals training, this serves as a timely reminder: effective auditors do not surrender judgment to technology—they use technology to strengthen it. Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | X 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.