DOD Luminary David McKeown to Host Q&A at 2025 Cyber Summit

David McKeown, a renowned cybersecurity leader and the Department of Defense’s first-ever special assistant for cybersecurity innovation, will host a one-of-a-kind Ask the CISO session at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Cyber Summit. This means the majority of McKeown’s time will take the shape of a Q&A format, fielding any and all of the questions you have for this Pentagon cyber point guard.

This year’s Cyber Summit, scheduled for next Thursday, May 15, provides a vital platform for forward-thinking discussions on the future of cybersecurity in the federal space. The highly anticipated event will bring together government contractors, federal partners and industry leaders to address pressing topics within national cybersecurity, the defense systems cyber landscape, the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, and proactive strategies against emerging threats, including quantum computing.

Save your seat before they’re all gone!

Who Is David McKeown?

David McKeown has over three decades of experience within the Department of Defense and has played a pivotal role in shaping cybersecurity policies and innovations. Appointed in December as the DOD’s inaugural special assistant for cybersecurity innovation, McKeown assumed responsibility for launching and leading the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence within the DOD. This center is dedicated to pioneering long-range solutions for cybersecurity modernization while addressing systemic challenges.

During his tenure as the deputy CIO for cybersecurity and chief information security officer, McKeown spearheaded key cybersecurity initiatives, including the implementation of the DOD’s zero trust strategy. This program seeks to elevate the Department’s cybersecurity posture to anticipate and mitigate threats proactively. McKeown has also been instrumental in reshaping the defense industrial base’s cybersecurity standards and modernizing the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification to ensure a resilient and secure supply chain across defense contractor operations.

His notable contributions to advancing cryptographic security, particularly in ensuring that the Pentagon remains ahead of quantum-enabled cyber threats, have positioned McKeown as a leading voice in securing the nation’s most sensitive digital systems.

In recognition of his achievements, he has been awarded the Wash100—GovCon’s highest honor given to architects of industry change by Executive Mosaic—twice, in both 2023 and 2025.

Zero Trust, Cloud, AI—Key Focus Areas

McKeown’s unique Ask the CISO session promises to cover critical themes integral to the 2025 Cyber Summit. Having been at the frontier of zero trust adoption, cloud security policy modernization and efforts to counter quantum risks, he will provide an insider’s perspective on the convergence of these priorities with broader defense initiatives when answering any and all of your burning questions.

Potential topics of discussion include:

The role of zero trust in modern defense: Drawing on his leadership in implementing zero trust across the Pentagon, McKeown is expected to offer strategic insights on achieving zero trust milestones to strengthen network defenses by 2027.
Innovations in post-quantum cryptography: McKeown has frequently emphasized the need to develop algorithms resilient to quantum-enabled cyberattacks. He may highlight ongoing research, anticipated challenges and partnerships needed to maintain cryptographic agility.
Cloud security and FedRAMP: McKeown’s active role on the FedRAMP board has driven advancements in cloud compliance and streamlined vendor approval processes for the DOD. His address may spotlight how accelerated cloud service certifications are bolstering cybersecurity while meeting mission deadlines.
AI and cybersecurity synergies: Emerging at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, McKeown’s address could explore how innovative AI tools are reshaping threat detection, decision-making and cybersecurity resilience across the federal landscape.

Hear From McKeown at the Cyber Summit

David McKeown’s 2025 Cyber Summit Q&A session represents a rare opportunity for professionals in defense and government contracting to gain valuable insights.

Don’t miss the chance to hear directly from a trailblazer in the field and connect with other leaders striving to protect and innovate within the rapidly evolving cybersecurity domain.