Mark Montgomery is a retired Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy and a renowned expert in national security, defense strategy, and cybersecurity, currently serving as Senior Director at the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI) at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).  Mark brings unmatched insights into cybersecurity policy where we explore his leadership in the Cyberspace Solarium Commission and CSC 2.0, his advocacy for a dedicated U.S. Cyber Force, and the bipartisan direction needed for effective cyber policy. Mark shares perspectives on addressing cyber talent shortages, the importance of action-oriented leadership in industry and government, and the steps required to maintain U.S. leadership on the global stage.------MORE FROM MARK MONTGOMERYhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-montgomery-b8932810/--------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: https://thewatchers.ioLinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDhttps://thewatchers.io/DiscordGET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feedEpisodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodesCONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: https://sblu.us/AndyPRODUCED BYhttps://www.sentinelblue.comPRODUCTION TEAMhttps://www.brandready.com/--------------------------------------------------------------#cybersecurity #infosec #nationalsecurity #nsa #csis #ciso #cio #technology #leadership #podcast #cisa #cyberspace #csc #cyberspacesolarium #government #cyberforce

Joyce Hunter is the Executive Director of Mission Critical and a dedicated innovator and strategic leader with experience across administrations, nonprofits, and industry boards. Appointed by President Obama as Deputy CIO of the Department of Agriculture, Joyce led efforts to bridge the agri-supply chain knowledge gap, building awareness around risk mitigation and food supply, understanding world hunger and famine on a deeper level. We discuss her Data Science Camp Inc. STEAM, now celebrating its 10th year, and how her journey to leadership took turns she never thought it would. Her legacy of innovation, youth empowerment, and IT transformation is truly inspiring, with her family serving as the foundation of who she is today.------MORE FROM JOYCE HUNTERhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/joycehunter/--------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: https://thewatchers.ioLinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedinTwitter: https://x.com/Watchers_PodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDhttps://thewatchers.io/DiscordGET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feedEpisodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodesCONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: https://sblu.us/AndyPRODUCED BYhttps://www.sentinelblue.comPRODUCTION TEAMhttps://www.brandready.com/--------------------------------------------------------------#cybersecurity #infosec #nationalsecurity #csis #ciso #cio #technology #leadership #podcast #agriculture #departmentofagriculture #foodsupply #supplychain #fema

Carley Salmon, a cybersecurity data leader at Microsoft Federal Defense and former U.S. Army National Guard Blackhawk pilot has played a large role in shaping the DIB assessment processes within DCMA's DIBCAC, after transitioning from military leadership to cybersecurity. She shares her mission-driven approach to cybersecurity policy widely in the DoD community, is passionate about protecting the warfighter, and can provide endless insights on CMMC’s impact on the DIB. Carley offers a fresh perspective on business ethics, societal pressures, and navigating life and professional development with a tenacity to both succeed and give back with undeniable purpose and determination.------MORE FROM CARLEY SALMONLinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carley-s/--------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: https://thewatchers.ioLinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedinTwitter: https://x.com/Watchers_PodInstagram:   / watcherspodcast  JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDhttps://thewatchers.io/DiscordGET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feedEpisodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodesCONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: https://sblu.us/AndyPRODUCED BYhttps://www.sentinelblue.comPRODUCTION TEAMhttps://www.brandready.com/--------------------------------------------------------------#cybersecurity #datasecurity #infosec #nationalsecurity #nsa #csis #ciso #cio #technology #leadership #podcast #cisa

Alison King, VP of Government Affairs at Forescout Technologies, is a national security policy trailblazer bridging industry goals with government action. With a decade in federal service and key roles shaping landmark legislation like the FY21 NDAA and CIRCIA, her impact is both strategic and tangible. A 2024 FDD National Security Fellow and Senior Fellow at Auburn University, Alison champions critical infrastructure defense and OT cybersecurity awareness—leading the charge for a safer, more secure future.------MORE FROM ALISON KINGhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alisoneking/--------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: https://thewatchers.ioLinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedinTwitter: https://x.com/Watchers_PodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDhttps://thewatchers.io/DiscordGET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feedEpisodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodesCONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: https://sblu.us/AndyPRODUCED BYhttps://www.sentinelblue.comPRODUCTION TEAMhttps://www.brandready.com/--------------------------------------------------------------#cybersecurity #infosec #nationalsecurity #nsa #csis #ciso #cio #technology #leadership #podcast #cisa #VoltTyphoon #Cyberspace

Candice Frost, a military veteran with over 25 years of service, has built an exceptional career in Military Intelligence, including roles with the 82nd Airborne, 25th Infantry, and operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Balkans. An Iowa native and West Point graduate, Candice’s groundbreaking work in a male-dominated field led her to command the Joint Intelligence Operations Center at Cyber Command, where she oversaw intelligence critical to protecting DoD networks and national infrastructure.Passionate about empowering women in combat and fostering forward-thinking leadership, Candice is also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University and a recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. Now, as the Director of Integrated DoD Accounts at Nightwing, she drives cyber and threat intelligence innovation across military branches.------MORE FROM CANDICE FROSTLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicefrost1776/--------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: https://thewatchers.ioLinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedinTwitter: https://x.com/Watchers_PodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDhttps://thewatchers.io/DiscordGET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feedEpisodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodesCONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: https://sblu.us/AndyPRODUCED BYhttps://www.sentinelblue.comPRODUCTION TEAMhttps://www.brandready.com/--------------------------------------------------------------#cybersecurity #infosec #nationalsecurity #nsa #csis #ciso #cio #technology #leadership #podcast #cisa

Diane Janosek is the CEO of JANOS and a true champion of the cyber industry. Evolving from her legal career, during which she served the Justice Department and Clinton White House, Diane has been blazing a trail of her own in the world of Cyber that includes a 12-year stint with the NSA. Her impact is immeasurable, serving as a mentor and role model to many, while uplifting several organizations that work to promote a more diverse, inclusive, and woman-friendly cyber industry.------MORE FROM DIANE JANOSEKLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-janosek-abc/Website: https://dianejanosek.com/--------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: https://thewatchers.ioLinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedinTwitter: https://x.com/Watchers_PodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDhttps://thewatchers.io/DiscordGET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feedEpisodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodesCONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: https://sblu.us/AndyPRODUCED BYhttps://www.sentinelblue.comPRODUCTION TEAMhttps://www.brandready.com/--------------------------------------------------------------#cybersecurity #infosec #nationalsecurity #nsa #csis #ciso #cio #technology #leadership #podcast #cisa

Glenn Gerstell is an American lawyer, technology writer, and former NSA General Counsel. Now a Senior Advisor at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), he focuses on technology and national security. A former member of President Obama’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council and D.C.’s Homeland Security Commission, Gerstell is a leading voice on Russian disinformation, Chinese cyber threats, and securing U.S. defense supply chains. Known for op-eds in *The New York Times* and *The Washington Post* and frequent commentary on CNN, BBC, and NPR, he highlights risks to operational technology, China's misuse of digital technology, and the pernicious impact of misinformation.------MORE FROM GLENN GERSTELLLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-gerstell-6a6abb6/NYT OpEd: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/04/opinion/ive-dealt-with-foreign-cyberattacks-america-isnt-ready-for-whats-coming.html--------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: https://thewatchers.ioLinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedinTwitter: https://x.com/Watchers_PodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDhttps://thewatchers.io/DiscordGET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feedEpisodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodesCONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: https://sblu.us/AndyPRODUCED BYhttps://www.sentinelblue.comPRODUCTION TEAMhttps://www.brandready.com/--------------------------------------------------------------#cybersecurity #infosec #nationalsecurity #nsa #csis #ciso #cio #technology #leadership #podcast #cisa

Matt Hayden is the Vice President of Cyber and Emerging Threats at General Dynamics Information Technology, or GDIT. In his role within GDIT’s Intelligence and Homeland Security division, Matt isn’t just guiding strategy; he’s building bridges—fostering trusted relationships between industry and government. During his tenure at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), he played a significant role in shaping election security policy and initiatives aimed at protecting U.S. election infrastructure. This episode delves into Hayden’s journey with DHS, an in-depth look at election security, and CISA’s impact on tackling national cybersecurity challenges. We explore his roles at GDIT and The McCrary Institute, his career's unique trajectory across industry and government, and his insights into today’s top cyber threats. With wit and candor, Hayden offers hope for the evolving global cybersecurity landscape.------MORE FROM MATT HAYDENLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-public/--------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: https://thewatchers.ioLinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedinTwitter: https://x.com/Watchers_PodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDhttps://thewatchers.io/DiscordGET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feedEpisodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodesCONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: https://sblu.us/AndyPRODUCED BYhttps://www.sentinelblue.comPRODUCTION TEAMhttps://www.brandready.com/--------------------------------------------------------------#cybersecurity #infosec #nationalsecurity #ciso #cio #technology #leadership #podcast #cisa

Brandon Wales is the Vice President of Cybersecurity Strategy with SentinelOne, and the former Executive Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. He’s a long-standing public figure, particularly within the field of cybersecurity and U.S. government operations.Known for shaping CISA's strategic direction, Wales has been one of the leading, instrumental change agents in enhancing federal cybersecurity defenses, coordinating responses to major cyber incidents, and raising national awareness on cyber resilience. Brandon was pivotal in the 2020 U.S. election security efforts, coordinating the agency’s efforts to protect election infrastructure, counteract misinformation, and establish CISA’s "Rumor Control" page to combat misinformation, a resource that proved critical in ensuring public trust and integrity in election processes. This work highlighted the value of public-private partnerships across critical infrastructure sectors.------MORE FROM BRANDON WALESLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-wales/--------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: https://thewatchers.ioLinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedinTwitter: https://x.com/Watchers_PodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDhttps://thewatchers.io/DiscordGET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feedEpisodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodesCONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: https://sblu.us/AndyPRODUCED BYhttps://www.sentinelblue.comPRODUCTION TEAMhttps://www.brandready.com/--------------------------------------------------------------#cybersecurity #infosec #nationalsecurity #ciso #cio #technology #leadership #podcast #cisa

Michael McLaughlin is an attorney and author, who served in the United States Navy and now serves as a critical advisory to industry as we face a growing list of threats in the cyber domain. His book, Battlefield Cyber, brings these threats to light and paints a stark picture of where we need to focus our attention to defend our modern society going forward.------MORE FROM MICHAEL MCLAUGHLINLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-g-mclaughlin/Battlefield Cyber: https://www.amazon.com/Battlefield-Cyber-Undermining-Democracy-National/dp/B0CFM9K8H5--------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW THE WATCHERSWebsite: https://thewatchers.ioLinkedIn: https://thewatchers.io/linkedinTwitter: https://x.com/Watchers_PodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/watcherspodcast/JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON DISCORDhttps://thewatchers.io/DiscordGET THE AUDIO PODCASTRSS Feed: https://thewatchers.io/feedEpisodes: https://thewatchers.io/episodesCONNECT WITH ANDYLinkedIn: https://sblu.us/AndyPRODUCED BYhttps://www.sentinelblue.comPRODUCTION TEAMhttps://www.brandready.com/--------------------------------------------------------------#cybersecurity #infosec #nationalsecurity #ciso #cio #technology #leadership #podcast