During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we asked several of our subject matter experts to share their insights on the current cyber threat landscape and how their work is making a difference.
What made you choose a career in cybersecurity?
Well, I didn’t really. I chose a career in science and engineering, and cybersecurity just happened to be something I was adept at when it was an emerging field. There was, and has remained, a great demand for cybersecurity and data science, which I also do in support of the Department of War and for universities.
Why is Cybersecurity Awareness Month so important now more than ever?
The threats to cybersecurity due to the ever-present malicious actors (trusty adversaries as I like to call them), and with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), have not diminished. If anything, these have become more numerous and pernicious. This is a competition with no victory in sight.
Why does your cybersecurity work matter?
My work supports the Department of War, specifically, Navy Cyber Mission Forces by helping to improve their ability to conduct cyber operations and defend our country against foreign adversaries.
What are some aspects of your cybersecurity work that are helping our customers’ missions?
By collecting and analyzing data on military cyber teams’ performance, I enable identification of shortcomings and data-driven decisions which drives improvement and more effective conduct of military cyber operations.
What do you love about working at ASRC Federal?
The people and the very enabling environment. Every time I meet a new individual at ASRC Federal, I am pleasantly surprised at what a great person I am getting to work with. Also, the company provides me with the ability to take the initiative to adapt to situations and in turn provide excellent customer support.
What made you choose a career in cybersecurity?
I didn’t originally plan on a career in cybersecurity – it happened somewhat unexpectedly. While working on a Department of Defense (DoD) contract, I was offered a new analyst role focused on reviewing military technical and compliance orders due to my strong attention to detail. That position led me to work closely with the Information Assurance team, where I took on Information System Security Officer (ISSO) responsibilities and developed supply-side platforms aligned with the DoD Information Technology Security Certification and Accreditation Process, DoD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process, and Defense Information Assurance Risk Management Framework. I quickly realized how much I enjoyed the work, and from there, my cybersecurity career naturally took off.
Why is Cybersecurity Awareness Month so important now more than ever?
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is more important than ever as cyberattacks have significantly grown in frequency and sophistication – often targeting individuals as much as organizations. In the remote climate of the workforce, cloud migrations, and now AI-driven threats cause an explosion of attack surfaces and human awareness remains the strongest defense. One wrong click can expose sensitive data, making it essential that all individuals understand their role in protecting systems and information – this includes their personal information. Building a culture of cybersecurity awareness is important to keep individuals resilient in this ever-growing digital world.
Why does your cybersecurity work matter?
The support provided to our National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) customer is imperative to the overall operation of the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Directorate. Our ISSO work ensures the security and compliance of the cloud and systems that provide support to the organization for the continuity of operations and completion of security requirements.
The cyber work I provide to ASRC Federal is important, as my role focuses on fostering collaboration between all operating groups cyber professionals, including assisting in surge requests and curating knowledge management of cyber focus areas. This insight is applied to the cyber solutions that I architect in business development activities – allowing ASRC Federal to be competitive in cyber solutioning, in an ever-changing environment that involves addressing Zero Trust, Executive Orders and other regulatory requirements.
What are some aspects of your cybersecurity work that are helping our customers’ missions?
The cyber work I’m doing for SCaN is important to our NASA customer, as we are taking a SecDevOps approach to our new cloud environment. Providing a cloud environment to the SCaN missions is imperative to stay current and provide real-time data from the various networks in space. We have built this cloud environment with security as the primary focus, allowing customers to have peace of mind that their data is secure. Supporting the annual accreditation process ensures that our environment can remain in operation.
What do you love about working at ASRC Federal?
I have spent my career supporting the U.S. government, working for a variety of government contracts, big and small. When ASRC Federal won the contract I was on in 2018, I instantly felt something different about the culture of ASRC Federal. There is a value on employees and the work accomplished – I have always been made to feel like I am an important part of this wheel and not just a cog. What stands out is that all leadership carries the values of our Iñupiaq shareholders and their culture. There is something special about being made to feel like you are part of something bigger than yourself.
What made you choose a career in cybersecurity?
Like many in my generation, my pathway to cybersecurity was not traditional or a straight line. I worked in law enforcement and as a forensic scientist, and had other “careers” first. My background in public safety and government work showed me how critical secure systems are for communities and missions at every level – local, state and federal. I saw how much depended on having resilient, trusted technology – from emergency response systems to sensitive government operations. Cybersecurity was a natural fit for me because it combines problem-solving, leadership and mission focus. It’s not just about defending networks, it’s about protecting people, services and national security.
Why is Cybersecurity Awareness Month so important now more than ever?
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is critical today because the stakes keep rising. Ransomware attacks on local governments and healthcare systems are no longer rare, they’re becoming routine and they impact people’s lives directly. I was working in Baltimore and saw firsthand the issues that resulted from a municipal ransomware attack. At the same time, attackers are using AI and other advanced tools to make threats faster and harder to detect. Cybersecurity Awareness Month is about reminding everyone that cybersecurity isn’t just the job of IT or security teams – it’s a shared responsibility. By educating employees, leaders and even the public, we empower them to spot risks early, defend themselves and strengthen the resilience of the systems we all rely on. Things that matter in real life because we all use connected devices in some form or fashion.
Why does your cybersecurity work matter?
It matters because cybersecurity is what ensures public trust and operational continuity. As I noted, we are all using many different devices in our personal and professional lives – refrigerators, washing machines, mobile phones, computers, TVs, etc. When a city, state or federal agency is hit with ransomware, services grind to a halt. When healthcare systems are attacked, it can put lives at risk. If you are hit personally, for many people it will feel like their world stops. My work helps prevent those disruptions and gives government leaders confidence that their missions will continue. But it’s not just technology, part of my job is frequent, plain communication with stakeholders. If leaders understand the risks in clear terms, they can make better decisions. At the end of the day, my work matters because it helps protect people, services, and even lives.
What are some aspects of your cybersecurity work that are helping our customers’ missions?
One of the most important ways I help our customers is by making cybersecurity accessible. I spend a lot of time translating technical risks into plain language so leaders and stakeholders can act on them. That clarity builds trust and keeps security aligned with the mission. I communicate frequently and informally as well as formally. I also focus on resilience, whether it’s strengthening defenses against ransomware or ensuring continuity plans are ready to activate if an attack occurs. Customers know they can stay focused on their mission – serving citizens, protecting data or supporting healthcare, because security is working with them, not against them.
What do you love about working at ASRC Federal?
I love that ASRC Federal combines technical excellence with a clear sense of mission. Our work directly supports government partners and communities, and that alignment with service resonates with me. I also value the culture – collaborative, mission-driven and deeply committed to doing the right thing. It’s the kind of place where cybersecurity isn’t seen as a checkbox, but as a core enabler of national security and public trust. For me, that’s meaningful. It’s not just a job; it’s an opportunity to contribute to something bigger, alongside people who care as much as I do.
To learn more about how ASRC Federal delivers mission-focused cybersecurity solutions, please visit: https://www.asrcfederal.com/cybersecurity/
