Baltimore Spring 2018

Building the Airplane in Mid-Flight: Bringing Cyber-Security Structure to Special Operations Units

• Adam Baker- Master's Degree Candidate
• Thursday, April 26th, 7:15pm - 7:55pm

While most military units are defined by a predictably rigid structure, special operations units are a notable exception. The dizzying array of data classifications, networks and relationships against a drumbeat of unceasing "no-fail" missions can be an overwhelming challenge for a newly-hired information security manager, tasked with securing it all. This paper captures the challenges and lessons learned through a series of interviews with the Information Systems Security Managers of the most elite US special operations units, providing a road map for success for any cyber security professional thrown into a similarly dynamic and high-functioning organization.

Speaker Bio: Adam Baker is an information security professional with 16 years of military and professional experience. He currently works as an Information Security Manager for a non-profit religious institution. Previously, he was an Information Systems Security Manager at a US Special Operations unit, and a US Army Special Forces soldier. Adam Baker is a candidate for the Master of Science degree in Information Security Engineering from the SANS Technology Institute. The SANS Technology Institute is the only graduate program that combines SANS technical training, recognized as the industry's best, with leadership and management curriculum specifically developed for the unique needs of aspiring leaders. Learn more at www.sans.edu.