Navigating the Impact of Chinese Infrastructure on U.S. Ports and the Supply Chain

What You’ll Learn:

• Current Threat Landscape: Insights into the latest incidents of Chinese corporate espionage, including the discovery of unauthorized communication devices in U.S. port cranes.
• Statistical Analysis: A review of cybersecurity threats and espionage activities, highlighting the increase in targeted attacks on critical infrastructure since 2013.
• Operational Risks: An examination of the vulnerabilities introduced by third-party systems in critical infrastructure, including real-world examples from telecommunications and smart port technologies.
• Case Studies: Detailed analysis of high-profile cases involving companies like Huawei, ZPMC, and TikTok, illustrating the broad spectrum of espionage and operational threats.
• Legislative Actions and Responses: Overview of recent U.S. government actions to mitigate risks associated with Chinese technology and infrastructure, including bans on certain equipment and legislative measures against data privacy breaches.

Why You Should Watch the Webinar Recording:

• Stay Informed: Understand the strategic and operational risks posed by Chinese infrastructure on Western ports and the supply chain.
• Enhance Security Posture: Learn actionable insights to protect your organization from potential espionage and operational disruptions.
• Expert Perspectives: Gain knowledge from industry experts and threat intelligence reports, providing a comprehensive view of the current and future landscape.

Meet Your Speakers

Ben Wilkens, CISSP, CISM, is the Principal Cybersecurity Engineer at the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™.

In his role at NMFTA, Ben spearheads research initiatives and leads teams dedicated to developing cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies, methodologies, and strategies to safeguard information systems and networks. He collaborates extensively with academic institutions, industry partners, and government agencies to advance cybersecurity practices and knowledge.

Before joining NMFTA, Ben was a key executive at a third-generation family-owned trucking and logistics company. There, he focused on the strategic integration of technology to improve operational efficiency while ensuring adherence to cybersecurity best practices.

With a rare combination of CISSP and CISM certifications alongside an active Class A CDL, Ben brings a unique perspective to the intersection of cybersecurity and transportation. In addition to his extensive experience as an over-the-road driver, he has held roles in dispatch operations, driver management, and brokerage sales. Ben later transitioned to IT and operations support, where he honed his expertise in cybersecurity.

Artie Crawford, CISSP, CISM is the Director of Cybersecurity at the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™. 

Artie has a proven track record of providing strategic guidance, collaboration, and engineering support to a wide range of organizations, including state and local governments, educational institutions, intelligence agencies, transportation authorities, and the Department of Defense, all in support of their cybersecurity missions. 

Throughout his distinguished career, Artie has held pivotal roles at organizations such as the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Microsoft, MITRE, and others. His work has been centered on developing advanced techniques and tools for real-world operations.  

A 27-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Artie retired in 2011 as the Cybersecurity Chief of the Marine Corps, where he served as the Senior Technical Advisor to the CIO and Director of C4.