The Myth of Mythos: What It Means For Information Security
Previously aired on Thursday, May 7, 2026
AI‑driven tools like Mythos are accelerating the discovery of software vulnerabilities, raising understandable concern across the SLTT community. This webinar will explain why, despite the increased speed and scale, AI does not fundamentally change the security challenge. Zero‑days aren’t new; preparation still matters most.
Presenters will examine why most AI‑discovered vulnerabilities align with known bug classes, why attackers face real constraints, and how strong security fundamentals mapped to the CIS Critical Security Controls® and CIS Benchmarks® help organizations stay resilient. The session will also highlight the role of collective defense through the MS‑ISAC, and how shared insight and coordinated response provide a critical advantage in an AI‑accelerated threat environment.
About Our Presenters
Brian Calkin
Chief Technology & Innovation Officer
Brian Calkin serves as Chief Technology & Innovation Officer at the Center for Internet Security, Inc. (CIS®), where he leads the organization's AI strategy and innovation initiatives. In this role, he advises CIS leadership on emerging technologies, drives the adoption of artificial intelligence across the organization, and shapes the technical vision for CIS's evolving product and service portfolio.
Brian's history with CIS spans over a decade. He supported the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) while serving at Symantec Corporation before joining CIS in 2011, where he advanced through progressively senior roles including Assistant Director of the Security Operations Center, Senior Director of Security Services, Vice President of Operations, and Chief Technology Officer. As VP of Operations, he oversaw more than 50 cybersecurity professionals across 24x7 SOC, threat intelligence, incident response, and engineering teams serving over 1,800 state, local, territorial, and tribal organizations nationwide. As CTO, he shaped CIS's technology strategy, built internal R&D capabilities, and established strategic partnerships with leading technology providers.
Since 2020, Brian has served as Senior Technical Advisor at CIS while serving as a partner at CyberWA, a boutique cybersecurity firm serving Fortune 100 executives, high-net-worth individuals, and public figures. In his advisory capacity, he spearheaded the creation of CIS's nationwide cybersecurity-focused DNS service, now adopted by over 4,000 SLTT entities, and developed endpoint security and email filtering solutions protecting more than 200,000 users across 100+ organizations.
Brian holds a Master of Science in Information Assurance from Norwich University, graduating with honors, and a Bachelor of Science in Network and Systems Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. He maintains his Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification and is a frequent speaker at national and statewide cybersecurity events and regular media contributor on emerging cyber threats and trends.
Sean Atkinson
Chief Information Security Officer
Sean Atkinson is Chief Information Security Officer of CIS. He uses his broad cybersecurity expertise to direct strategy, operations, and policy to protect CIS’s enterprise of information assets. His job responsibilities include risk management, communications, applications, and infrastructure. Prior to CIS, Sean served as the Global Information Security Compliance Officer for GLOBALFOUNDRIES, serving Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) across the globe.
Prior to GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Sean led the security implementation for the New York State Statewide Financial System (SFS) implementation from 2007 to 2014 and his last role and responsibility was as the Internal Control, Risk and Information Security Manager.
Sean was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and lived in England for 18 years, graduating Sheffield Hallam University in 2000. After moving back to the United States, Sean has pursued multiple degrees and certification in the IT arena.
In addition to his work with CIS, Sean is also an adjunct professor of Computer Science at the College of Saint Rose.
Tony Sager
Senior Vice President and Chief Evangelist
Tony Sager is a Senior VP & Chief Evangelist for the Center for Internet Security (CIS). He is involved in a wide variety of strategic, partnership, and outreach activities. He led the work which later became known as the CIS Critical Security Controls – an independent, volunteer-developed, cyber defense best practices program which is used throughout the industry. Tony has led numerous other activities to develop, share, scale, and sustain effective defensive cyber practices for worldwide adoption.
In addition to his duties at CIS, Tony is a volunteer in numerous cyber community service activities: an inaugural member of the DHS/CISA Cyber Safety Review Board; Advisor to the Minnesota Cyber Summit; Advisory Boards for several local schools and colleges; formerly a member of the National Academy of Sciences Cyber Resilience Forum and serves on numerous national-level study groups and advisory panels.
Tony retired from the National Security Agency in 2012 after 34 years as a mathematician, computer scientist, and executive manager. As one of the Agency’s first Software Vulnerability Analysts, he helped create and led two premier NSA cyber defense organizations (the System and Network Attack Center, and the Vulnerability Analysis and Operations Group). In 2001, he led the release of NSA security guidance to the public and expanded NSA’s role in the development of open standards for security. Tony’s awards and commendations at NSA include: the Presidential Rank Award at the Meritorious Level (twice) and the NSA Exceptional Civilian Service Award. The groups he led at NSA were recognized inside government and across industry for mission excellence with awards from numerous sources, including: the SANS Institute, SC Magazine, and Government Executive Magazine.