Christa Mchugh
Global Retail Architect
PALO ALTO NETWORKS
Bio #1
Christa has 20+ years experience in the technology field, specializing in Cybersecurity and
Digital Transformation in the Retail Industry. She currently works for Palo Alto Networks, as a
Global Retail Architect.
Christa earned her MA in Critical and Creative Thinking and an MFA in Design Management.
She is a fierce advocate for Women in Technology, mentoring young women so that they can
thrive in the industry. She resides in Tampa, FL with her wife and two dogs.
Bio #2
Christa has 20+ years experience in the technology field, specializing in IP routing and
switching, SD-WAN and cloud security. She has 10 years experience in retail, supporting a
major retailer by driving their technology strategy and digital transformation efforts as a Lead
Network Architect and Engineering Manager.
Christa earned her MA in Critical and Creative Thinking from the University of Nebraska. She is
an avid cyclist and also plays guitar in the band Prescribed Fire. She is also a fierce advocate
for Women in Technology, mentoring young women so that they can thrive in the industry. She
resides in Tampa, FL with her wife and two dogs.
Speaking in:
Wednesday Jun 25
2:15pm - 2:45pm
Expo Stage
Connected, Not Compromised: Securing Retail IoT
From smart shelves to connected cameras, IoT is powering the next wave of retail innovation – delivering efficiency, personalization, and real-time insights. But with this transformation comes risk: each connected device is a potential attack vector. In this session, we’ll explore the critical role of IoT security in safeguarding retail operations, customer trust, and brand reputation.
Join us and leading retail customers as we unpack real-world challenges and solutions in securing sprawling IoT ecosystems. You’ll hear firsthand how retailers are gaining complete visibility into connected devices, automating threat prevention, and simplifying network segmentation – all with the help of Palo Alto Networks' AI-driven platform.
Speakers:
David Aspinall, Dir IoT Security, Palo Alto Networks
Christa McHugh, Global Retail Architect, Palo Alto Networks
Customer co-speakers:TBD