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Even when organizations check all their security boxes and prioritize cybersecurity training, multi-factor authentication and data backups, breaches still happen. As federal agencies increasingly adopt hybrid cloud solutions that merge software-defined network access with on-prem IT infrastructure, cyber risks unique to this approach threaten to undo the strongest cyber defenses.
Beau Houser serves as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the U.S. Census Bureau where he leads the agency’s cybersecurity program. Prior to joining the Census Bureau, he served as the CISO for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Deputy CISO at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services where he fulfilled the role of Executive Director for Marketplace Security, which included cybersecurity responsibilities for healthcare.gov.
He was recently awarded the 2021 CyberScoop 50 Award in the category of Government Leadership. He was also recognized with a Gears of Government award for Innovation and Modernization of the SBA IT Enterprise.
He holds a master’s degree in Cyber Systems and Operations from the Naval Postgraduate School and a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from Barry University. He also holds an Information Systems Security Professional certification with a concentration in Engineering.
Katherine MacPhail is a Staff Writer and Researcher for GovCIO Media & Research, where she covers IT across federal health and civilian agencies.
Bringing a unique perspective from 20 years of datacenter experience in government, private and financial sectors, Sterling Wilson is an exciting and passionate Data Security Evangelist who understands the industry. In this age of data automation, machine learning and infrastructure modernization, the security and integrity of your most strategic asset, data, is top of mind for everyone. Sterling discusses how our modern needs of Data Management, Resiliency, and Security can’t be met with legacy thinking and solutions.
