Over the next six weeks, Feds at the Edge will dive deep into CyberThreats 2023, and this week we are focusing in on the considerations the Department of Defense has to balance when dealing with cloud, identity management, and maintaining a secure network while undergoing improvements. Over the last 20 years, the DoD have taken a siloed approach to attack, but with an evolving threat landscape that now makes them see vulnerabilities in this approach, it gives them reason to ask the big questions any organization should ask when they revise strategy.
Who are you as an organization?
What got you this far?
What is your remediation plan in the event of an attack?
With cloud based systems leaning on identity management for quick response, endpoint security and the ability to adapt in an actively changing attack environment, programs such as Secure Access Service Edge which gives the military access to any point around the globe, are redefining the cyber playbook.
Tune in now on your favorite Podcasting platform to hear what top agency and industry thought leaders have to say about the next step in the digital revolution, and the 2027 initiative deadline that will be here before we know it.
To view this webinar: CyberThreats 2023: Department of Defense Perspective.
Featured Speakers:
Randy Wood
Senior Vice President, North American Sales
Randy Wood is Senior Vice President, North American Sales at Akamai. In this role, Randy is responsible for customer and reseller channel advocacy and partnership, and leading Akamai’s content deliver, security and cloud sales business within the North American market. Prior to joining Akamai, Randy held several sales leadership positions at both Red Hat and F5 Networks, where he was the Vice President of Federal Sales for 4 years.
Randy has served in a variety of technical and direct sales leadership positions throughout his past 25 years in the IT industry. He spent nine years at Cisco Systems from 1996-2005, working in engineering, leadership and direct sales roles. In 2005, Randy left Cisco and spent two years at Symantec as Director of Sales for the Public Sector DoD /Intelligence team.
Prior to his return to Cisco in early 2010, Randy was VP of Sales for the US Public Sector at Informatica. He came to Informatica by way of acquisition of Agent Logic, an In-Q-Tel portfolio company, where he spent nearly three years as VP of Sales for the US enterprise market, leading the company’s explosive growth and leadership position in the emerging complex event processing market.
Randy has a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics from the Virginia Military Institute, and a Masters of Science in Management Information Systems / Information Technology from the George Washington University. A former officer in the United States Marine Corps, Randy is a veteran of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
SVP, North American Sales,
Akamai
Michael Kennedy
Moderator & Contributing Editor
Michael Kennedy retired in May 2017 from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). He had an extensive career in the Federal Government, with leadership responsibilities leading to numerous national level roles at the Senior Executive Service level since April 2006. He served in many positions within the ODNI beginning in its first year of operation and culminating in his final assignment as the Deputy Program Manager for Technology and Standards for the Program Manager – Information Sharing Environment (PM-ISE), within the ODNI.
Mr. Kennedy has left an indelible mark of professional accomplishment and Leadership across a broad spectrum of complex issues, most notably in the development of innovative technology solutions and transformative outcomes for the Intelligence Community (IC) during 42 years of total government service in IT and other leadership roles:
- Deputy Program Manager for Technology & Standards, ODNI (Nov 2011 – May 2017)
- Director, INTELINK, ODNI (July 2008 – Nov 2011)
- Chief, Information and Technology, ODNI (April 2006 – July 2008)
- Chief, Networks & Operations – Plans, Policy, & Resource; National Air & Space Intelligence Center (April 2003 – April 2006)
- Chief, Intelligence Systems Division, U.S. Southern Command (Feb 2000 – April 2003)
- Chief, Department of Defense Intelligence Information Systems (DoDIIS), System Integration Management Office, U.S. Central Command (March 1995 – Feb 2000)
- Head of Customer Support & Dep COTR, Supercomputer Center; Deputy Chief – Communications and Networks, Naval Oceanographic Office (Oct 1989 – Feb 1995)
- Retired U.S. Navy Captain with over 30 years combined active and reserve duty (1975 – 2009)
Moderator & Contributing Editor,
FedInsider
MG Jan C. Norris
Cybersecurity Director & CISO
BG Norris is native of Richmond, Virginia. He received his commission in the Army Signal Corps through the Army Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, GA in 1991 and has commanded at company to brigade level. He began his career as a platoon leader in C Company, 304th Signal Battalion, Camp Colburn, Korea. He then served as Signal Officer, G6-1st Corps Support Command, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, Commander, 301st Signal Company, Ft. Pickett, Virginia, Telecommunications Officer, G6-63rd Regional Support Command, Los Alamitos, California, Plans Officer- 8th US Army G6/311th Signal Command Forward, Yongsan, Korea, Signal Officer-Stryker Brigade Coordination Cell and G3 Information Management Officer-I (U.S.) Corps, both at Ft. Lewis, Washington, and as Commandant-High Tech Regional Training Site, Sacramento, California.
From 2008-2010, he held various key positions in Hawaii as Chief of Current Operations for the 311th Signal Command, S3-30th Signal Battalion and S3-516th Signal Brigade. During this period, he was deployed as Chief, Current Operations for the 335th Signal Command Forward at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. BG Norris then served as the G6 for the 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) in Los Angeles, California. He was later selected in 2012 to command the 4th Joint Communications Squadron (Airborne)-Joint Communications Support Element, MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida. He then joined the Joint Staff J6 (Pentagon) as the Nuclear Command and Control Communications Branch Chief. In 2015, he was selected to command US Army Garrison Fort Hunter Liggett, California prior to his return to Hawaii in in 2017 to serve as the Deputy Commander, 311th Signal Command (Theater) at Ft. Shafter. Two years later he was promoted to Brigadier General to serve as the Commanding General, 311th Sig Cmd and served in that role from 2019-2022. In August 2022 BG Norris moved to HQDA, Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) to serves as the Director for Cybersecurity and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). BG Norris is a Joint Qualified Officer and holds the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications. He has served 26 continuous years in active duty status as both an Active Component (AC), Active Guard Reserve (AGR), and Troop Program Unit (TPU) officer.
BG Norris graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism in 1990. He earned a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from Old Dominion University in 1997. He is a graduate of the Army Signal Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College, the Force Management Course, the Joint C4 Planner’s Course, Advanced Joint Professional Military Education (JPME II), and the U.S. Army War College with a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (w/ Oak Leaf Cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (w/ Silver Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Parachute badge.
BG Norris is married to Jin-Young Norris from Seoul, Korea (for 28 years). They have three daughters- Sara (21), Anna (19) and Lois (16) and all currently live in Atlanta (Buford), Georgia. BG Norris is an avid sports fan and an active triathlete.
Cybersecurity Director & CISO,
Office of the CISO, U.S. Army
Aaron Bishop
Chief Information Security Officer
James “Aaron” Bishop, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the Department of the Air Force, comprised of the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force. As CISO, he is responsible for advising the Chief Information Officer and senior officials on cybersecurity policy, cybersecurity programs and cyber force development in the department. He leads a Directorate comprised of military, civilian and contractor personnel responsible for developing cybersecurity policy and strategy for over 5,000 Air Force information technology systems. He oversees risk management and cybersecurity accountability for information systems, weapon systems and operational technology supporting military cyberspace operations. His portfolio includes policy and governance of the defense industrial base, cyber supply chain risk management, compliance and cybersecurity capabilities. He has oversight for the Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act laws and cryptographic modernization supporting cyber operations for the department.
Mr. Bishop recently joined the Department of the Air Force to drive cybersecurity innovation. He is a highly experienced National Security Services and Information Security Executive with in-depth knowledge of government contracting, business execution, national security, military supply chain, criminal investigation and cybersecurity. As the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Eigenspace and Quantum Security Alliance, Mr. Bishop evangelized disruptive and transformational research and approaches to the cyber industry while building coalitions with academia, industry partners and U.S. government agencies. As an industry expert, he was nominated to the Presidential National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Bishop held positions in industry as a key leader with the Science Applications International Corporation as Vice President of Enterprise Business Transformation and Chief Architect, and later, the Chief Information Security Officer. Prior to SAIC, Mr. Bishop was the General Manager of Microsoft Corporation’s National Security Group. He was responsible for providing consultation and support services to National Intelligence, Military Intelligence, U.S. Special Operations, the Department of Justice, Department of Energy and the Department of Homeland Security. Prior to Microsoft, Mr. Bishop was the Chief Technologist at Keane Federal Systems and Chief Technology Officer of ANSTEC, Inc. Mr. Bishop is a veteran having served honorably in the United States Navy.
Mr. Bishop earned a Bachelor of Science in General Studies from Northwestern State University and a Master of Science in Cybersecurity in Management and Policy from the University of Maryland Global Campus.
Chief Information Security Officer,
Department of the Air Force
Patrick Sullivan
Chief Technology Officer
Patrick Sullivan is Akamai’s Chief Technology Officer of Global Security Strategy. In his 12 years at Akamai, Patrick has held a number of leadership positions including leading the Enterprise Security Architect team.
Patrick and his team work with customers when they come under attack and designs security architectures to protect them from threats. In the course of helping to fend off so many attacks, he has gained unique visibility into attacks targeting many of the top Enterprises. With his unique ability to see Security issues as a critical component of a client business strategy, Patrick often speaks at security events and with clients around the world.
Patrick holds a variety of security certifications including CISSP, GSLC, GCIH, and GWAPT. Patrick holds an Electrical Engineering degree from Virginia Tech and holds a graduate degree from George Mason University and a Graduate Certificate from Stanford University. Prior to Akamai, Patrick held various leadership positions at DISA, AT and T, Savvis, and Cable and Wireless.
Chief Technology Officer,
Security Strategy, Akamai
