Christa Mchugh

Christa Mchugh

Global Retail Architect

Palo Alto Networks


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

Exhibitor Big Ideas 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.