Ricardo Griffith
About Me
With over 25 years of industry experience in application development, I have honed my skills across a variety of roles, specializing in creating innovative solutions for the finance and insurance sectors. Currently, I serve as a Technical Solution Architect for a leading insurance company in Bermuda. As a co-founder of a software company, I also drive the development of cutting-edge consumer technology experiences.
I am a lifelong learner, continually enriching my mind with knowledge and staying abreast of the latest developments in technology. Throughout my career, I have pursued various educational opportunities—from foundational studies in electronics to advanced coursework in information systems. Alongside earning multiple industry certifications, I remain committed to expanding my expertise and adapting to the ever-evolving tech landscape. My journey reflects a deep-seated passion for personal and professional growth, driving me to constantly seek new insights and understanding.
Passionate about advancing the field of technology and aligning with OWASP’s mission to improve software security, I believe in the power of open collaboration and knowledge sharing to foster innovation and enhance security practices globally. My commitment to ethical development and integrity reflects OWASP’s core values, and I strive to make a positive impact on the developer community.
Outside of my professional endeavors, I enjoy spending quality time with my family—my spouse, two kids, and our dog. I find balance through gaming, learning new coding methods and programming languages, and relaxing at the beach—activities that recharge me and nurture my passion for continuous learning.
In alignment with the ongoing conversations about modernizing OWASP and refocusing on our core values, if elected, I dedicate implementing focused strategic initiatives that will propel the OWASP Foundation forward. Below, I outline how I intend to address these key areas:
Highlighting a Shared Vision
In recent times, there has been a growing conversation within OWASP about the need for modernization and a refocusing on our core values. I fully acknowledge and embrace this dialogue. My platform aligns with this movement to enhance OWASP’s relevance and effectiveness and I am committed to driving strategic initiatives that bring us back to our foundational mission and help address security challenges faced by developers today. By uniting our efforts, we can ensure OWASP remains a pivotal resource in the ever-evolving landscape of application security.
Emphasizing Practical Solutions for Developers
I am deeply committed to empowering developers with the tools, education, and certifications, they will need to code more securely. Recognizing the demand for practical resources highlighted by past OWASP leaders, I propose to double down on our educational offerings. This includes expanding our training programs and forging certification pathways to reflect current industry needs. By aligning our efforts with the real-world needs of developers, we can bridge the gap between security principles and practical application, fostering a more secure software development ecosystem.
Advocating for Strategic Initiatives
To maximize our impact, I advocate for strategic initiatives that streamline OWASP’s projects and enhance coordination. I believe we should conduct a thorough review of our current projects to identify those that most effectively serve our mission and the developer community. By focusing our resources on these key initiatives, we can prevent the dilution of efforts and ensure we deliver maximum value to our community. This strategic emphasis will not only elevate the quality of our offerings but also reinforce OWASP’s role as a foundational pillar in the application security landscape.
Promoting Community and Collaboration
Engaging with the developer community is crucial for fostering innovation and participation. I propose that OWASP actively participate in major developer conferences throughout the next year. Our presence at these events will increase membership, forge new organizational partnerships, and enhance our visibility. Additionally, I advocate for expanding our outreach programs and local chapter activities to create more opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing. By fostering a collaborative environment, we encourage community members to contribute their unique perspectives and expertise, enriching the OWASP community as a whole.
Addressing Governance and Diversity
To adapt to the rapidly changing field of application security, we must cultivate a governance structure that is both inclusive and dynamic. I propose introducing non-elected board members to diversify leadership and bring in fresh perspectives. This step will help reduce bureaucracy and inject new ideas and expertise into our decision-making processes. By diversifying our leadership, we can better address the complex challenges facing our organization and create a more responsive and agile OWASP that is equipped to lead in the modern landscape.
Questions
What unique strategic goal do you intend to bring on board, if you are elected?
My unique strategic goal is to embrace developers where they are by extending OWASP’s presence at global developer conferences. I believe that to effectively promote application security (AppSec), we need to engage directly with the developer community in their own spaces. By setting up OWASP booths, workshops, and presentations at some of the largest developer conferences next year and beyond, we can increase our visibility, foster collaboration, and provide valuable resources directly to those who build software. This outreach will help us connect with developers worldwide, encourage the adoption of secure coding practices, and reinforce OWASP’s role as a leader in addressing the most pressing security challenges faced by the developer community today.
What is your vision for OWASP over the next three to five years?
What is your vision for OWASP over the next three to five years?
In the next three to five years, I envision OWASP becoming the global cornerstone for application security by doubling down on education and certification. My vision focuses on embracing developers where they are and providing them with the resources they need to build secure software. Here are a few compelling reasons for this strategic focus:
(Click on each heading to expand or collapse)
ELEVATING SECURE DEVELOPMENT SKILLS
**My Vision** By developing thorough, accessible training materials, OWASP can directly enhance developers' ability to write secure code and prevent vulnerabilities before they happen: **Developing Comprehensive Training Materials** **ELEVATING SECURE DEVELOPMENT SKILLS** The application layer is where most security vulnerabilities arise, often due to a lack of secure coding knowledge among developers. **My Vision** By developing thorough, accessible training materials, OWASP can directly enhance developers' ability to write secure code and prevent vulnerabilities before they happen: - We encourage the community to contribute to projects that build high-quality educational content, thus creating up-to-date course materials covering best practices and strategies to mitigate emerging threats. - By supporting local chapters and members, we facilitate workshops using these materials to spread knowledge and practical skills. **Accessible Learning Platforms** - We utilize online platforms to make learning resources available globally, accommodating different learning styles and schedules. - We ensure that all training materials are freely accessible, allowing developers worldwide to benefit from OWASP's collective expertise. **Community Mentorship Programs** - We connect experienced security professionals with developers seeking to improve their skills through mentorship programs. - By promoting a culture of knowledge sharing within the community, we foster collaboration to enhance collective understanding and proficiency. **Potential Impact** By educating everyone—from developers to technical leaders—we create a unified and robust defense against security threats. Elevating skills across all levels fosters a culture where secure coding practices become standard, not the exception. This widespread proficiency enables: - Developers equipped with **enhanced coding practices** possess the right knowledge can proactively prevent vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of security breaches from the outset. - Informed technical leaders can **drive** collaboration on **industry standards** and **best practices**, influencing the broader tech community to adopt stronger security measures. - Technical leaders with a deep understanding of AppSec can make **more informed decisions regarding resource allocation**, **tooling**, and **policy implementation**, prioritizing security at the organizational level. - A collective emphasis on education promotes a security-first mindset throughout the organization, encouraging continuous learning and vigilance against emerging threats. This holistic approach not only reduces vulnerabilities at their source but also strengthens the entire technology ecosystem. By uniting professionals across roles and responsibilities, we contribute to a safer, more resilient digital world for everyone.BUILDING TRUST THROUGH CERTIFICATION
Organizations are increasingly looking for professionals with verified security credentials to ensure the integrity of their software development processes. By offering recognized OWASP certifications in Application Security (AppSec), we can establish a new standard for professionals in the field. This involves: - Create certifications that are respected industry-wide for their depth and relevance. - Ensure that certifications are kept up-to-date with the evolving security landscape and emerging technologies. - Promote these certifications globally so they become a benchmark for AppSec expertise. Certifications build trust between employers, clients, and professionals. They validate a developer's commitment to security and proficiency in best practices. This not only enhances individual careers but also raises the overall standard of security within the industry.EMBRACING DEVELOPERS AT GLOBAL CONFERENCES
Beyond education and certification, I believe OWASP should **extend its reach by setting up presence at major global developer conferences**. By meeting developers where they are, we can: - Make OWASP's resources and community more accessible to developers worldwide. - Collaborate with organizations and thought leaders to stay at the forefront of AppSec advancements. - Understand the challenges developers face in the field to tailor our initiatives effectively. **Supporting Strategic Changes for Maximum Impact** To realize this vision, we must also: - Focus on a curated set of high-quality, impactful projects that directly address developers' needs. - Improve collaboration between projects to provide cohesive solutions and avoid duplication of effort. - Introduce non-elected board members to bring fresh perspectives and specialized expertise, reducing bureaucracy and driving innovation.CULTIVATING A COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY
By promoting community engagement and collaboration, we can: - Organize workshops, hackathons, and seminars that encourage active participation. - Reach underserved regions and communities to foster inclusivity. - Utilize forums, social media, and webinars to connect with a broader audience.What contributions have you personally made to OWASP or other open source projects?
As the current Director on the OWASP board, I have worked to align the organization’s strategic direction with its mission to improve the security of software. Before joining the Board, I was a member of the Compliance Committee, where I actively contributed to establishing best practices and ensuring compliance with OWASP bylaws and policies. Additionally, I am the Board representative for the OWASP Education and Training Committee, which is tasked with fostering collaborations and supporting relationships with the Application Security, Developer, and Training communities in both academic and industry settings.
I am passionate about evangelizing the many benefits of becoming an OWASP member and supporting the Foundation. By promoting membership, I aim to strengthen our community, encourage broader participation, and amplify our collective impact on improving software security worldwide.
What strategies would you implement to increase community engagement and participation in OWASP?
To increase engagement, my priority would be to make OWASP more visible at every developer-focused event next year, with a specific emphasis on AppSec conferences. Being present at these events will allow us to directly engage with the community, recruit new members, and collaborate with organizations that share our mission. Furthermore, I would push to offer more hands-on workshops, code labs, and real-world AppSec challenges, making it easier for developers to engage with OWASP tools and projects in practical settings.
What will be your efforts to ensure OWASP continues to be a centerpiece in software security?
OWASP’s continued relevance depends on its ability to stay ahead of the curve. My focus will be on ensuring that we are continuously updating our resources and tools to address the most current security challenges. I will also prioritize collaboration with industry and academia to identify and respond to new threats. Furthermore, I will champion outreach programs that emphasize education, especially targeting the next generation of developers and security professionals.
What should OWASP stop doing and why?
OWASP should reconsider initiatives that stray too far from its core focus. While branching out into other areas of security is important, we must not dilute our primary mission. By concentrating on what we do best—securing applications and educating developers on AppSec—we can have a greater, more focused impact. Additionally, the OWASP Board should embrace change by incorporating non-elected board members. Bringing in individuals with specialized AppSec expertise will ensure we maintain a high standard and remain rooted in our foundational mission.