Security Awareness Programs & Computer-Based Training
Top Government InfoSec Pros Cited
(ISC)2 Unveils Annual Awards Here are the winners of (ISC)2 sixth annual Government Information Security Leadership Awards:Category: Non-Managerial Information Security Professional
Winner: Bobby AkinsHis Job: A 20-year-plus veteran of the U.S. Air Force, is assigned as a network integrator for the 561st Network Operations Squadron at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado, where he has worked to bolster the mission critical systems he supports as well as ensure compliance with Department of Defense 8570.1 directive, which requires all DoD information security personnel to obtain a professional certification.
Why He Won: After receiving a (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security credential, Akins wrote his own training materials, established a CISSP preparation study group and worked with (ISC)2 to schedule a special exam for his team. Due to Akins' hard work and mentorship, his squadron increased its 8570.1 compliance to 87 percent from 13 percent, with all remaining personnel scheduled to sit for the CISSP exam later this year.
Category: Senior Non-Information Security Manager
Winner: Erin FinkesHer Job: The branch chief, Executive Management and Support Services for the Defense Contract Management Agency, serves as the contract operations technical representative for IT training contracts and program manager for the Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Training Program.
Why She Won: Due to her workforce initiatives that ensure the continuity of IT mission and programs through the delivery of an outstanding IT security and training program, Finkes directly and significantly contributed to the fulfillment of the agency's strategic and tactical goals to train, certify and manage its information assurance workforce.
Category: Senior Information Security Manager
Winner: Stanley Joseph "Joe" Jarzombek, Jr.His Job: As director of software assurance at the Department of Homeland Security's National Cybersecurity Division, Jarzombek organized and managed the Software Assurance Forum for the Defense Department, National Institute of Standards and Technology and DHS.
Why He Won: Jarzombek has worked diligently to focus on the improvement of software security properties through a multifaceted program that includes improved software development techniques, stronger acquisition practices and improvements in software security research and development. Jarzombek determined early on that a workforce component was an integral part of his program. His efforts have made a long-term impact on the training of the cyber and software development workforce.
Category: Federal Contractor Information Security Professional
Winner: Margaret K. SpanningerHer Job: Leads the Security Awareness, Training and Professional Development Services group at Booz Allen Hamilton, where she is engaged in improving the skills of information security personnel for government clients.
Why She Won: In one key engagement with the. Department of Veterans Affairs, Spanninger set up online awareness training and developed an innovative learning cube to assist students in focusing on key aspects of information security throughout the Systems Development Lifecycle. As a result of. Spanninger's efforts, more than 7,000 VA professionals, managers and executives were trained in information security best practices in a very short period of time.
According to (ISC)2 - a not-for-profit organization that educates and certifies information security professionals, awards are presented to individuals who have significantly enhanced the information security workforce by demonstrating a leadership role in the implementation or management of a component of an information security workforce improvement initiative, program or project on either a government-wide or agency-specific basis.
