Steps to ensure successful cybersecurity outcomes

Jonathan Feibus joined the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 2008 and worked in the Office of Information Services as an Information System Security Officer. He joined the staff of the Computer Security Office in 2012 and became the Deputy Director in 2013. He currently serves as the Chief Information Security Officer in the Office of the Chief Information Officer.
Prior to joining the NRC, Mr. Feibus worked at the American Institutes for Research and General Electric Information Services where he held a number of positions, in information technology security and operations. Mr. Feibus has a B.A. from Tufts University and an M.S. from Norwich University. He also holds the Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Certified Information Security Manager and Certified Information Systems Auditor certifications.

Steven Hernandez is an information assurance expert serving the past twenty years in a variety of contexts and missions. He has worked on the front lines in operations centers and led research teams attempting to balance security, privacy, and mission delivery considerations. Transforming risk management in international manufacturing, healthcare, non-profits, and governments at the federal, state, and local levels is extensive through his professional portfolio. Leading tactical, day-to-day security operations as well as guiding and influencing broad security initiatives such as the US government's FedRAMP program across large organizations with international presence are areas he’s frequently called upon to support. Presently he is the Chief Information Security Officer and Director of Information Assurance Services at the U.S. Department of Education. Steven also serves as the co-chair of the US Government Federal CISO Council and government chair of the ACT-IAC Cybersecurity Community of Interest. Prior to his position at Education, he held a variety of roles at the Office of Inspector General, US Department of Health and Human Services including CTO, CIO, CISO, Senior Official for Privacy and Chief Services Engineering Officer. He is an inaugural member of the United States Scholarship of Service Hall of Fame. He served on the Board of Directors for the International Information Systems Security Consortium (ISC)2, served on the U.S. (ISC)2 Government Advisory Board for Cybersecurity (GAB), judged for the Government Information Security Leadership Awards (GISLA) and contributed to its Executive Writers Bureau. Mr. Hernandez is the lead author and editor of the third edition of the (ISC)² Official Guide to the CISSP CBK, the (ISC)² Official Guide to the HCISPP CBK, and several published works regarding international information assurance.

Mr. Linus Baker is the Defense Logistics Agency Cybersecurity Director and Senior Information Security Officer. In this position he is the principal cybersecurity advisor for DLA’s Chief Information Officer. Mr. Baker is responsible for ensuring DLA has a well-defined, resourced, and sustainable agency-level Cybersecurity Program, which ensures secure cyberspace operations across multiple classification levels and varying forms of cyberspace technologies within the sphere of DLA’s global logistics mission.

Mr. Baker has over 20 years of experience within the United States federal government in the cybersecurity (information assurance) discipline beginning in 1996.

Prior to joining DLA, Mr. Baker served in the United States Army as an Intelligence Analyst. Following his time in military service, Mr. Baker served as a cybersecurity support contractor to numerous federal and Department of Defense agencies to include Military Health Systems, Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board and the Department of Interior.

Mr. Baker joined DLA as a DOD civilian employee in 2008 and served as a branch chief within the Information Operations, IA Policy and Oversight Division until 2009. In 2009 Mr. Baker was promoted to the Chief of the IA Policy and Oversight branch within Information Operations until 2010. In 2010, Mr. Baker continued his ascent within DLA and was selected as the Staff Director of the IA Directorate within Information Operations. Mr. Baker currently oversees all cybersecurity mission elements within DLA.

Since joining DLA in 2008, Mr. Baker led numerous cybersecurity-related innovations both operationally and organizationally. Beginning in 2008, Mr. Baker led the charge to transform DLA’s security certification and authorization process that instituted an iterative methodology in assuring the compliance posture of all authorized DLA information systems. In 2012, Mr. Baker directed and oversaw the realignment and transformation of the policy and management oversight functions of system security managers and associated IT portfolios aligning program management offices with the management responsibility for implementing system security programs at the system/major application level. More recently, Mr. Baker has developed and led DLA’s Cyber Resilience Integration Initiative that ensures the ability of the agency’s critical business functions and IT operations to be proactive in identifying strategies and techniques to address identified risks and plan for mitigations.

Mr. Baker earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brewton-Parker College in Computer Science in 1995.

Kenneth C. McNeill, a member of the Senior Executive Service, serves as the National Guard (NGB) Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Director of Command, Control, Communications & Computers (C4) Systems Directorate. He is the principal advisor to the Chief, NGB (CNGB) on all matters pertaining to C4, information technology (IT), information sharing, and information management (IM). He assists NG senior leadership by coordinating and facilitating employment of NGB C4/IT/IM capabilities in support of Homeland Defense/Defense Support of Civil Authorities (HD/DSCA) mission requirements. Mr. McNeill provides direction and guidance to align the NGB Joint Staff IT portfolio with the CNGB’s vision and the domestic operations mission.

In addition, Mr. McNeill is charged with setting policy and synchronizing NG-wide IT initiatives through coordination with the Army and Air National Guard staffs by leveraging forums like the NGB CIO Executive Council and the DoD CIO’s Military Department working groups.

During his time supporting the NGB, Ken spearheaded the Joint CONUS Communications Support Environment (JCCSE) which enables the reliable and timely flow of key information to support state and federal military activities, routine and otherwise, required for homeland defense, civil support, and other mission needs.

Prior to assuming the NGB CIO role, Mr. McNeill served as the Chief, Operations and Plans Division within Headquarters Department Army CIO/G-6. His office was the focal point for Army CIO/G-6 current operations as well as Army-wide C4 coordination during Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) and combat operations. He was also responsible for synchronizing C4 programs and support agencies on major projects like establishing coalition networks in Afghanistan and Korea, instituting centralized Army-wide cybersecurity reporting, and improving CONUS IT infrastructure in preparation for training and deployment. Mr. McNeill assisted in the execution of an annual budget of over $3.0B ensuring Army Signal Forces were resourced to support forward deployed commands and emerging requirements.

Mr. McNeill completed his undergraduate degree at Bowie State University and was commissioned as a Signal Corps Officer in May 1983. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Organizational Communications from Bowie State University, and a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College. Mr. McNeill has more than 35 years of federal service as an Army Officer and DoD Civilian.

During his career, he earned numerous awards and decorations, most notably, the Superior Civilian Service Award, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, National Guard Association of the United States Distinguished Service Medal, Joint Staff Identification Badge, and the Army Staff Badge.

Jeff Schwartz, is Vice President of North America Engineering at Check Point, where he manages all aspects of technical operations and resources for the Company in the region. Jeff manages a team of ~300 engineers across multi-disciplinary fields and is responsible for all security engineering resources across a $1B business. Over his 20+ year career in cybersecurity, Jeff has consulted, designed and overseen the implementation of the largest network security deployments within every major vertical throughout both the Fortune 500 and major government agencies.

Jason Miller is an executive editor and reporter with Federal News Network. As executive editor, Jason helps direct the news coverage of the station and works with reporters to ensure a broad range of coverage of federal technology, procurement, finance and human resource news. As a reporter, Jason focuses mainly on technology and procurement issues, including cybersecurity, e-government and acquisition policies and programs.