DOD’s Kelley Kiernan to Speak at the 2024 Cyber Summit

Kelley Kiernan is a cybersecurity and information protection professor at the Department of Defense’s Defense Acquisition University. She has extensive cybersecurity experience in the Navy, Air Force and Space Force. 

Kiernan will share her expertise at the 2024 Cyber Summit, a premier event that gathers top professionals from the public and private sectors to discuss cybersecurity issues, challenges, opportunities and strategies.

 

Who is DOD’s Kelley Kiernan?

With a career spanning several sectors, Kelley Kiernan has made many invaluable contributions to cybersecurity. As an engineer, scientist and innovation expert, she leverages her diverse experiences to improve cybersecurity measures within the acquisition ecosystem.

 

Kiernan’s Awards, Certifications and Organizations

Among Kiernan’s most notable recognitions is the Air Medal, which she earned for her exemplary service as an Air Force officer. This prestigious award reflects her exceptional commitment and contributions to the military. 

Moreover, Kiernan holds multiple certifications. She is a certified ethical hacker from the EC Council and has an airline transport pilot certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. 

Kelley Kiernan is a member of the Society of Women Engineers and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. 

 

Kiernan’s Industry Contributions

Kelley Keirnan’s contributions to the cybersecurity industry are substantial. She has played a pivotal role in integrating cybersecurity protocols within the Defense Acquisition University, ensuring that future defense acquisitions are secure and resilient. 

In her previous role as the chief technology officer for the Department of Air Force’s Small Business Innovation Research program, Kelly Kiernan launched the Blue Cyber initiative to help small business contractors meet Air Force cybersecurity requirements.

Through this initiative, she ensures that small businesses are well-equipped with cybersecurity capabilities. Her work fosters greater participation among small contractors in the defense contracting space.

This interview with GovCon Expert Chuck Brooks showcased Kiernan’s significant impact on the GovCon sector. She has enhanced small business cybersecurity through the Blue Cyber Initiative, funded by the Department of the Navy’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which implemented supportive programs such as:

• Daily office hours — Blue Cyber provides daily office hours to address small businesses’ challenges in protecting their intellectual and financial properties.
• Webinars — Blue Cyber hosts weekly small business cybersecurity Ask-Me-Anything webinars to provide essential guidance and answers. 
• Comprehensive boot camps — These monthly six-hour boot camps on cybersecurity were designed to enhance small businesses’ knowledge and practices.
• Blue Cyber Website — The website includes events, presentations and videos to inform small businesses about robust cybersecurity concepts and practices.

Kiernan has provided essential cybersecurity resources and support to over 11,000 small businesses through these initiatives. Her efforts have demonstrated her commitment to improving cybersecurity and national security practices within the small business ecosystems. 

Moreover, Kiernan’s leadership approach has significantly influenced how cybersecurity is perceived and executed within the defense sector.

 

What is the 2024 Cyber Summit?

The 2024 Cyber Summit is an esteemed event that brings together cyber experts, government leaders and industry executives to address today’s key cyber challenges. Hosted by the Potomac Officers Club, the event will provide a platform for public and private sector speakers to collaborate and share insights on advancing cybersecurity strategies. 

Kelley Kiernan will share her insightful discussion on evaluating a company’s cybersecurity readiness, joined by esteemed speakers like Comcast’s Yasmine Abdillahi, DOD’s Derrick Davis, Cyber Readiness Institute’s Karen Evans and DTS’s Edward Tuorinsky.

The summit will cover various topics, from emerging technology threats to innovative cyber defense mechanisms, making it a must-attend for anyone involved in cybersecurity.

Date: June 6, 2024 (7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m./ ET)

Venue: The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, 1250 S Hayes St., Arlington, VA 22202

Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Cyber Summit.