When the United States expanded westward, citizens found that surprise could lurk around any corner, earning the nickname “the wild west.” Today, with unlimited storage, fast speeds, and artificial intelligence, our technical landscape can and should be considered just as wild.
This week on Feds At the Edge, we’ve gathered federal experts who corral malicious code and prevent bad actors from robbing you blind.
Marisol Cruz Cain, Director of Information and Cybersecurity Team for US GAO, highlights some of the unpublicized aspects of AI, like its ability to rewrite code which can make attribution difficult.
Paul Blahusch, CISO for the Department of Labor, shares where agencies should anticipate weaknesses and how funding should be appropriated.
JD Jack, General Manager for Google Public Sector Cybersecurity, talks how “security validation” can show you how to look at the tools you have, and find a way to evaluate them.
We also discuss “red” teams, independent groups used to attack a system to find any unanticipated weaknesses that need to be addressed.
Tune in now on your favorite podcasting platform to hear our experts weigh in on protecting your assets in the current “wild west” environment.
To view this webinar: Be Prepared: The Cyber Wild West is Still Wild.
Featured Speakers:
Marisol Cruz Cain
Director, Information & Cybersecurity
Marisol Cruz Cain is a Director in GAO’s Information and Cybersecurity team. She oversees work on federal cybersecurity and privacy issues, including specific agencies’ ability to protect privacy, sensitive data, and the computing infrastructure. In addition, she is a Diversity Champion participating in efforts to increase diversity at GAO and facilitating multiple Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion courses in the Learning Center.
Marisol joined GAO in 2005. She has led audits on government-wide cybersecurity, privacy, and information management issues, including reviews of the efficiency of federal privacy programs, the implementation of cybersecurity risk management practices, and the transition to electronic records. She has also led reviews of cybersecurity and IT management/operations at specific agencies, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and Federal Student Aid.
Marisol earned a master’s degree in public administration from University at Albany. Marisol has earned a master’s degree in information security from University of Maryland Global Campus. Marisol earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Director, Information Technology & Cybersecurity Team, U.S. GAO
Jonathan Feibus
Chief Information Security Officer
Jonathan Feibus serves as the Chief Information Security Officer for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He has responsibility for the cybersecurity program for the entire organization. He joined the NRC in 2008 on their operational cybersecurity team. Prior to joining the NRC, Mr. Feibus worked in the private sector at companies that include the American Institutes for Research and General Electric Information Services and has over 30 years of Information Technology and Cybersecurity Operations experience at businesses large and small. His current work focuses on managing cloud security, cybersecurity automation and risk informed cybersecurity decision making as he works with the NRC transformation efforts to become a modern, agile and innovative modern regulator.
Chief Information Security Officer,
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Benjamin Koshy
Chief Information Security Officer
Benjamin Koshy is the Chief Information Security Officer and Director of the Division of Information Security at the Indian Health Service (IHS). The IHS, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, is the principal federal health care advocate and provider for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Mr. Koshy has worked at IHS for several years, starting his career as a contract help desk analyst in 2009 then joining the federal team as an information systems security officer and later leading the cybersecurity incident response team. In addition to IHS, he has worked as a consultant with Deloitte supporting the cybersecurity needs of multiple federal and commercial clients. Along with his Masters of Science in Cybersecurity and Masters of Business Administration, Mr. Koshy holds several IT security certifications including (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and EC-Council’s Certified Network Defense Architect (CNDA).
CISO & Director, Division of Information Security, Indian Health Service
Paul Blahusch
Chief Information Security Officer
Paul Blahusch has over 20 years of cyber and IT security experience with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). He serves as the Director of Cybersecurity and the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for DOL in the Office of the Chief Information Officer. In this role, Mr. Blahusch supports the department’s overall mission by promoting and bolstering enterprise-wide cybersecurity efforts.
As CISO, he is responsible for security initiatives within the Department of Labor, including but not limited to regulatory compliance and oversight, Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) implementation and planning, computer awareness and training, and computer security incident response. His role in the department also involves collaborating with senior leadership to integrate information security with capital planning, enterprise architecture, and information collection initiatives.
Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Labor
JD Jack
General Manager
J.D. joined Google as part of their acquisition of Mandiant in 2022 where he held various leadership roles, including running the U.S. Public Sector team. If you’re not familiar with Mandiant, they are a leader in dynamic cyber defense, threat intelligence and incident response services. In his role with Google, JD is responsible for the full US cybersecurity business portfolio, which includes Defense, the Intelligence Community, State and Local, and Civilian agencies. JD came to the private sector after completing a 20-year career in the U.S. military where he served in a broad range of positions focusing on national security, foreign policy, and intelligence. JD began his military career as an Apache aviator before transitioning to serve as a military attaché conducting diplomatic engagement and negotiations in over 30 countries throughout Europe and the former Soviet Union. He holds a bachelor’s from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a master’s from Harvard, and an MBA from Baylor University. JD has served in combat operations in Iraq and Kosovo, earned a Bronze Star leading a team of intelligence operators for the Joint Special Operations Command, is Army Ranger qualified, and speaks fluent Russian.
General Manager, Google
Public Sector Cybersecurity
Jane Norris
Contributing Editor
Jane Norris a contributing editor to FedInsider, is committed to advancing government communications and putting people first in every regard.
Jane brings a lifetime career in media and government to her role. She has held senior roles at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As a consultant and public relations lead, she worked to execute priority issues for two powerhouse government contracting firms creating successful communications strategies for issues like, technology modernization, AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, customer experience, human centered design, health and economic policy, the government workforce and employee engagement.
Jane’s private sector career also includes on-air work with multiple radio and television stations, most recently as a daily drive-time host on Federal News Radio/WTOP in Washington DC.
Moderator & Contributing Editor,
FedInsider
