Cyber Leaders Modernizing the CDM Program (E207)

Fifteen years ago, “continuous monitoring” was as simple as watching a single server down the hall. Today, it’s a high-stakes mission across sprawling hybrid networks being bombarded with data and under constant security threats.

This week on Feds At The Edge, we explore how federal agencies are modernizing the once-simple concept of Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) to protect complex, data-heavy systems.

Jason Ralph, Director of Security Operations for the Department of Labor, shares candid insights on deploying new CDM tools, highlighting both their potential and the unintended side effects on legacy systems.

Our panel tackles real-world challenges like monitoring encrypted traffic in a Zero Trust environment, the need for stable network foundations, and how peer community groups can accelerate success.

Tune in on your favorite podcast platform today to hear practical lessons, hard-won strategies, and fresh perspectives on staying ahead in the federal cyber landscape.

To view this webinar: Cyber Leaders Modernizing the CDM Program.

CDM Featured Speakers:

Roman Kulbashny

Security Engineering & Architecture Branch Chief

Roman Kulbashny is Security Engineering and Architecture Branch Chief at the Office of the Chief Information Officer of the U.S. Department of Education. He leads multiple critical cybersecurity initiatives including implementation of Zero Trust Architecture, the Identity Credential Access Management (ICAM)Program, Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), and continuous security risk management, focused on effectively managing the Department Education’s $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio. Mr. Kulbashny continues to be a sought-after leader for the Department’s most impactful risk mitigation programs and projects and is considered the foremost expert in the Department’s cybersecurity architecture and engineering disciplines.

Prior to joining the Department of Education, Mr. Kulbashny served as the CDM Program Manager at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, where he provided leadership in architecting and implementation of monitoring and mitigation capabilities to secure IT services and systems that support oversight of HHS’ $1 trillion portfolio, and other department-wide cybersecurity initiatives.

Roman has more than 30 years of experience in the planning, architecting, engineering and implementation of IT solutions and services that support the customers’ mission-critical needs. He has held leadership roles in information technology for the federal government, federal contractors and nonprofits, advising top management on critical issues in information assurance and cybersecurity. His work has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Gears of Government President’s Award for an innovative cross-government project to combat Medicare fraud.

Security Engineering & Architecture
Branch Chief, Dept. of Education

Joanna Dempsey

Vice President, CISA Portfolio

As vice president of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) portfolio at ECS, Joanna Dempsey oversees major cybersecurity and engineering initiatives at CISA. She has led the charge of both the delivery and growth of ECS’ largest account within the Homeland sector, helping the company’s teams increase their impact across CISA’s most mission critical programs and earning widespread recognition as a thought leader.

Ms. Dempsey joined ECS in 2018, taking the lead in driving the growth and evolution of the company’s role supporting the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) Dashboard Program. Passion and enthusiasm for connecting people and technology in order to solve hard problems has defined her tenure at ECS.

Ms. Dempsey has more than 15 years’ experience in federal contracting, software development, and cyber, intelligence, and mission solutions. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and human resources development as well as a master’s degree in information security from James Madison University.

Vice President,
CISA Portfolio, ECS

Jason Ralph

Director, Security Operations Center (SOC)

Jason Ralph brings more than 30 years of experience in information technology, specializing predominantly in cybersecurity. He has spent more than 15 years in supervisory leadership roles across various cybersecurity functions.

Currently, Jason serves as the Director of the Security Operations Center (SOC) at the U.S. Department of Labor. In this capacity, he oversees staff who manage critical functions such as 24/7 Incident Detection Response, Threat Management, Threat Intelligence, Vulnerability Management, and Security Architecture / Engineering for the enterprise. He plays a pivotal role within the Office of the Chief Information Officer senior management team, contributing to annual and long-term planning, program development, policy formulation, advanced technology research, organizational enhancement, and internal/external coordination. Jason’s team provides comprehensive support and engineering for all cybersecurity tools used by the Department of Labor. Additionally, he leads the department’s relationship with the Department of Homeland Security / CISA, overseeing cybersecurity program initiatives and services, including Continuous Diagnostic and Mitigation (CDM) tools.

Previously, Jason held roles as the Deputy Information Security Officer and Cybersecurity Enterprise Architect for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) within the Department of Labor. In these positions, he served as the principal technical authority responsible for planning, designing, developing, testing, and implementing security solutions to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of BLS information systems and data.

Before joining the Department of Labor, Jason proudly served in the United States Air Force (USAF).

Director of Security Operations,
Department of Labor

Scott Rose

Computer Scientist

Scott Rose works as a computer scientist at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST). Scott works on Internet infrastructure protection research and Internet protocol research. Scott is the editor of several DNS focused IETF network protocol specifications and the author of NIST Special Publications on DNS, email and zero trust. His current work focus is on 5G for IoT, emerging Internet protocols and zero trust security. Scott received his BA in Computer Science from The College of Wooster and his MS from University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Computer Scientist,
NIST

Brian “Stretch” Meyer

Senior Director of Engineering

With nearly 20 year’s experience in the federal technology industry ranging from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to the intelligence community, Brian “Stretch” Meyer is currently the Senior Director of Axonius Federal Sales Engineering.

Stretch’s career has been marked by success in technical leadership with a robust federal background supporting roles in key positions, such as the Security Services Manager at key DOD agencies, and managing with direct oversight of the Cybersecurity Architecture and Cybersecurity Engineering divisions on the key Mission Partner Environment programs.

Stretch focuses on identifying customers’ challenges and designing innovative cybersecurity solutions to solve their complex problems. Stretch’s distinguished career serving in the United States Air Force has supported engineering solutions in theater, supporting both Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) and Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan.

Senior Director of Engineering,
Axonius Federal Systems

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.

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CDM Featured Speakers:

Security Engineering & Architecture
Branch Chief, Dept. of Education

Vice President,
CISA Portfolio, ECS

Director of Security Operations,
Department of Labor

Computer Scientist,
NIST

Senior Director of Engineering,
Axonius Federal Systems

Contributing Editor,
FedInsider

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Claudia Hosky

Claudia Hosky

Claudia Hosky

Claudia Hosky

Claudia Hosky

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Claudia Hosky

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Cyber Leaders Modernizing the CDM Program (E207)