(ISC)2 has announced the finalists for its 12th annual US Government Information Security Leadership Awards (GISLA) program—including a new category that was added for 2015, dedicated to recognizing a star up-and-coming information security professional.
Sponsored by the (ISC)2 U.S. Government Advisory Council (USGAC), the GISLA program was established in 2004 to recognize federal information security leaders (individuals or teams) whose commitment to excellence is advancing the nation’s cybersecurity program. In addition to the new category, there are nominees in various areas, including workforce, technology, process/policy, community awareness and the contractor community.
“This year’s GISLA finalists demonstrate a true passion for the profession and for the enormous task at hand,” said Dan Waddell, (ISC)2 director of U.S. government affairs and co-chair of the (ISC)2 USGAC. “In the face of the government’s workforce shortage and numerous other complexities, they stand dedicated to their field and mission and inspire other information security professionals in the federal government to do the same.”
Two are finalists for the Up-and-Coming Information Security Professional category. Technical Sergeant Kendra Bryan, noncommissioned officer in charge of the Vulnerability Management Cell for the 50th Space Communications Squadron at Schriever Air Force Base (AFB) in Colorado, was highlighted for the development and implementation of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) to secure classified and unclassified networks. She’s up against Samuel Maroon, IT operations instructor at the State Department, who heads up the Wounded Warrior Cyber Combat Academy Project.
As far as Most Valuable Industry Partner (MVIP), the Network and Space Operations and Maintenance (NSOM) Team led by Mike Leshinsky at Schriever AFB was nominated for advancing the security posture of Schriever AFB networks, and the readiness posture of the 50th Space Wing. And, the CERT Coordinating Center (CERT/CC) vulnerability research and coordination team at the Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute was named for the implementation of CERT/CC’s responsible coordinated disclosure strategy.
In the Technology Improvement category, the nominees include John Simms, requirements and acquisition support branch chief at the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) office of cybersecurity and communications. He was nominated for the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) Program.
Preston Werntz, senior strategist for analysis and operations at the DHS National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC)’s Technology Services Section was also nominated, for the Trusted Automated Exchange of Indicator Information (TAXII) Server Program.
In the Community Awareness category, the Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team (ICS-CERT) was nominated for its Action Campaign, while the 81 Cyber Protection Team was honored for its Cyber National Mission Force.
For Workforce Improvement, Michael Redman, senior information assurance manager and chief of the Policy and Accreditation Branch was nominated for the Department of Defense Cybersecurity Course Development and Mentoring Program.
For Process/Policy Improvement, Matthew Goodrich, director for the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) was named for program leadership; Benjamin Bergersen, cloud cybersecurity program manager at MAX.gov Shared Services at the Department of Education, was nominated for cybersecurity risk management process improvement.
US Department of Transportation CTO and GISLA keynote Maria Roat will join government and industry VIPs and (ISC)² officials to honor the 2015 GISLA recipients on May 14.