My-Ngoc Nguyen

My-Ngoc began her career leading and managing the cybersecurity program for the Department of Energy’s Yucca Mountain Project through Bechtel SAIC. She later supported Los Alamos National Laboratory after a cybersecurity incident and classified-information breach, work that helped launch her consulting career. She later expanded her consulting reach to support enterprises across the Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Agency and other government Agencies. Today, through Secured IT Solutions, she helps public- and private-sector clients implement secure, compliant business processes and IT solutions using risk-based and defense-in-depth approaches. She draws on that experience while teaching the labs, helping students connect Cyber42 simulations, security frameworks, risk assessment, security policy, board briefings, cloud security, identity and access management, vulnerability management, privacy, vendor negotiation, and GenAI risk to situations they may already be facing at work.

My-Ngoc holds a Master of Science in Management Information Systems and a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, along with six GIAC certifications, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, and former Qualified Security Assessor experience. My-Ngoc Nguyen is also a faculty member of the SANS Technology Institute, which has been designated an NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense and is a multi-year winner of the National Cyber League competition. Her broader work includes service on University of Nevada, Las Vegas advisory boards and co-founding and chairing CyberSafeNV, a nonprofit created to raise cybersecurity awareness among Nevada residents.

My-Ngoc teaches from the belief that security leaders need to understand the technical work and the organizational realities around it. Her classroom style uses engagement, analogies, and real-life stories to make complex topics stick, especially for students moving between technical and management responsibilities. Students should leave able to assess risk, brief leadership, guide teams, build stronger programs, and communicate security decisions in terms the business can use. Outside of cybersecurity, My-Ngoc loves to dance, including choreographic hip-hop, swing, and ballroom classes, and enjoys board games such as Sequence, Codenames, Jaipur, Century, Istanbul, 7 Wonders, and Hanabi.

Qualifications Summary

• Master of Science in Management Information Systems, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• GIAC Certifications: GIAC Security Leadership (GSLC); GIAC Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership (GSTRT); GIAC Certified Penetration Tester (GPEN); GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH); GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC); GIAC Information Security Fundamentals (GISF)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Key Achievements: CEO/Principal Consultant at Secured IT Solutions; previously led the cybersecurity program for the Department of Energy Yucca Mountain Project; supported Los Alamos National Laboratory cybersecurity program work after an incident and classified-information breach; built and managed cybersecurity, risk, governance, compliance, incident response, and secure business process programs for government and commercial clients. Executive Vice President of Link Tech where she learned about operations and management in local government (State, City and Education) as well as the private sector while leading the growth and operation of a multi-million dollar firm before launching her own firm. Launching Secured IT Solutions with continuous growth since 2010.
• Course: Instructor for LDR512: Security Leadership Essentials for Managers
• Community Contributions: Co-founder and chair of CyberSafeNV; member of FBI InfraGard, ISSA, ISACA, and ISC2, serves on University of Nevada, Las Vegas Management Information System Program and Cyber Security advisory boards, Co-Launched the first annual e-sports Cyber League Championship to get kids transiting into cybersecurity.