Topic: AI Governance Frameworks: Policies, Controls & Risk Management
Abstract: Many organizations understand the importance of AI governance, but struggle to translate high-level principles into practical, enforceable frameworks. Disconnected policies, unclear ownership, and lack of structured controls often leave gaps in managing AI risk. This session focuses on turning intent into execution. We will explore how to design AI governance frameworks that align with existing enterprise risk, compliance, and IT governance structures. From defining AI-specific policies such as acceptable use, data governance, and model accountability to building risk registers and control libraries, the session provides a structured path to operational governance. We will also examine how to integrate these controls across AI platforms, tools, and third-party ecosystems.
Walk away with a clear blueprint for building scalable, consistent, and enforceable AI governance that works across both internal and external AI environments.
Key Takeaways:
- Translate AI principles into actionable governance frameworks
- Build and operationalize AI risk registers and control libraries
- Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and oversight models
- Develop policies for ethical, compliant, and accountable AI use
- Align governance controls across platforms, tools, and vendors
Speaker:
Bennie Cleveland, vCISO, VanRein Compliance
Bio: Bennie Cleveland is a seasoned cybersecurity executive and enterprise risk strategist with more than 20 years of experience leading cybersecurity, compliance, incident response, disaster recovery, AI governance, and resilience programs across financial services, healthcare, life sciences, SaaS, higher education, insurance, retail, and technology sectors.
In his current role at VanRein Compliance, Bennie serves as a vCISO, cybersecurity advisor, and auditor, bringing hands-on leadership across cybersecurity governance, disaster recovery, incident response, penetration testing, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance. He helps organizations strengthen their security posture by assessing risk, validating controls, identifying vulnerabilities, improving resilience, and aligning security programs with frameworks such as NIST, HIPAA, HITRUST, SOC 2, ISO 27001, and industry best practices. Bennie brings both strategic executive guidance and practical execution, helping clients move from compliance gaps and security uncertainty to measurable risk reduction, audit readiness, and operational resilience. He helps organizations assess risk, strengthen security posture, validate technical controls, prepare for audits, and align cybersecurity programs with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and operational resilience goals.
His work spans leading frameworks and standards, including NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001, NIST CSF, HIPAA, HITRUST, ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, and related governance requirements. Bennie focuses on translating technical, operational, and AI-driven risk into practical business controls, executive decision-making, and audit-ready evidence.
Bennie holds a broad portfolio of credentials, including but not limited to: CCISO, CISM, CISA, CRISC, CGEIT, CHFI, CEH, PMP, EDRP, AAIA, AIGP, and CIPM, reflecting his depth across cybersecurity leadership, governance, risk, compliance, audit, penetration testing, incident response, disaster recovery, privacy, and emerging AI audit practices. He is known for bridging strategy and execution by helping organizations move from reactive compliance to proactive, measurable cyber and AI governance programs.
