MCP: The New Standard for AI Connectivity—Networking, Security, and Zero Trust
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is rapidly emerging as a foundational standard for connecting large language models (LLMs) to real-world tools, APIs, and data sources. Often likened to the “USB-C for AI,” MCP enables agentic systems to operate with greater autonomy and contextual awareness. This panel brings together industry leaders—one with deep expertise in MCP and networking, and another with a background as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) now focused on Zero Trust Networking—to explore MCP’s architecture, its critical role in AI integration, and the security frameworks necessary to protect this powerful new interface.
Tony Farinacci recently retired from JPMorgan Chase after 22 years of service in executive leadership roles including CTO – Global Network Services, End-User Services, CISO – Global Technology Infrastructure, and Distinguished Architect – Cybersecurity Architecture. His first 13 years were providing global oversight of JPMorgan Chase’s Voice & Data Network, and Perimeter Security with the last 9 years in Cybersecurity focused on Infrastructure and Cloud Security, Threat Modeling, Risk Assessment, Policy as Code, and Zero Trust.
Previous to JPMorgan Chase, Tony spent 9 years at KeyCorp in various executive leadership roles including oversight of Voice & Data Networks, Enterprise Architecture, Distributed Computing, and the Enterprise Command Center.
Tony started his career at General Electric where he spent 7 years in various technical leadership roles including Senior Architect & Systems Programmer (Mainframe, UNIX, VAX, LAN), Telecommunications and Networking.
Tony earned his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree at Cleveland State University. He currently resides in Boca Raton, Florida with his wife.
Phil Tee is the EVP & Head of AI Innovations at Zscaler and the former CEO and co-founder of Moogsoft, the pioneer and leading provider of artificial intelligence for IT operations (AIOps). Phil is a serial entrepreneur, inventor, and expert in IT service assurance — a category he was instrumental in shaping through his invention of Netcool (acquired by IBM) nearly 25 years ago. Within 5 years of graduating from Sussex, he co-founded Omnibus Transport Technologies Limited (OTT) to build and market Netcool/Omnibus. Since then, Phil has led numerous companies to successful exits, including RiverSoft (IPO) and Njini (acquired by Riverbed).
More recently at Moogsoft that he co-founded in 2011, he invented the technology that supports over 200 customers worldwide, including SAP, American Airlines, Yahoo!, Verizon, Outsystems, BNYM and HCL Technologies. Moogsoft has 72 patents and more than two dozen peer reviewed publications covering the technology, many of them authored or co-authored by Phil. Phil holds a PhD in Informatics and is also a Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence.
Peter Campbell is Senior Director of Cloud Security at The Cigna Group—a Fortune 100 global health leader—where he architects and operationalizes security across cloud, network, and IoT environments (AWS, Azure, OCI, hybrid). A recognized ONUG speaker and Fellow (and former chair of its Automated Cloud Governance working group), he spearheads strategic policy-as-code governance frameworks and pioneers AI-driven threat detection and automated response. Peter holds CEH, CISSP, CCSP, GICSP, GCSA, GRID, GCFA, and Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect Expert certifications.
Paul Calatayud serves on the executive team at NetFoundry, where he leads strategic initiatives across product development, go-to-market execution, and company strategy. In addition, he chairs the company’s Advisory Board, helping guide long-term vision and industry alignment.
With over 26 years of cybersecurity leadership, Paul has held executive roles including CISO (five times), CTO, and CEO. His career spans both high-growth startups and global enterprises, with a focus on innovation in cloud security, zero trust architectures, and developer-first security platforms.
