CHARLESTON – To keep pace with our ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, the Center for Strategic and International Studies has established a 30-member Commission focused on accelerating the adoption of cloud computing by federal agencies.
This initiative represents a strategic imperative for national security and IT modernization. As a West Virginian and the CEO of The Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology, I am proud to serve on this Commission and to highlight the substantial contributions West Virginians are making to modernize our federal government and bolster national security.
Joining me on the Commission are Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Karen Evans, and Travis Rosiek. We share deep roots in West Virginia and proudly represent our state in modernizing and fortifying our nation’s cybersecurity and technology policies. This Commission is co-chaired by private sector and Congressional leaders. We seek to revolutionize the U.S. government's approach to cloud infrastructure computing. The primary objectives include educating policymakers, accelerating cloud adoption, and catalyzing federal investment in this critical domain.
Simpson
| Courtesy photo
The participation of West Virginians underscores the state's expertise and leadership in national security and technological advancement. Senator Capito’s legislative experience and leadership on broadband deployment in West Virginia through her Capito Connect initiative bring a vital perspective to our Commission. She will ensure that the policy recommendations we develop both strategic and political feasible.
Karen Evans is a West Virginia University graduate, a member of the Visting Committee for the Chambers Business School , and a Senior Advisor to Gray Space Strategies. As the managing director of the Cyber Readiness Institute, she brings over three decades of deep understanding of cybersecurity and federal government leadership to guide the Commission.
Travis Rosiek, another WVU alumnus, brings is a national cybersecurity expert and a member of the WVU Foundation Board of Directors. His insights are crucial in understanding the intersection of academia, private-sector innovation, and government needs to protect against global cyber threats.
My role is to harmonize diverse perspectives and share vulnerabilities faced by critical infrastructures, including threats from Chinese hackers. According to the FBI, these threats have the potential to "wreak havoc" on our critical systems. Collectively with the United Kingdom and Australia, our cyber and intelligence communities just days ago announced with a high degree of confidence that People’s Republic of China state sponsored cyber actors are prepositioning in our communications, energy, transportation, and water systems to disrupt them. In this light, our mission is not merely a matter of policy but one of national survival.
Our work is indispensable for several reasons. Firstly, cloud infrastructure and services are pivotal for modernizing government IT systems, making them more efficient, scalable, and secure. By transitioning to cloud-based solutions, the government can harness the latest in cybersecurity, fortifying against evolving threats.
Secondly, the budgetary implications are significant. Cloud computing offers cost-effective solutions for the government, alleviating the burden on taxpayers while enhancing service delivery.
Most crucially, this initiative represents a strategic shift in how the U.S. government approaches technology and security. By embracing cloud computing, we are not merely upgrading our systems - we are reimagining our approach to national security in the digital age.
As we forge ahead, the Commission is committed to drive change at the highest levels of government. We envision a secure and efficient, but also agile and forward-thinking, federal government in its approach to technology and cybersecurity. The leadership and expertise of West Virginians are at the forefront of this transformative effort, proving that great ideas and leadership can come from any corner of our nation, even rural areas outside the traditional tech hubs. There is a global security crisis due to the lack of cybersecurity practitioners. We hope to inspire more West Virginians to pursue careers in this vital field.
The work of our Commission transcends technology; it is about safeguarding and preserving our nation’s future. The involvement of West Virginians in this pivotal endeavor is a source of immense pride and a beacon of hope for a more secure, efficient, and modern approach to protecting our country's critical infrastructure assets.
Simpson is President of Gray Space Strategies and CEO of the Institute for Critical Infrastructure and Technology. As a Senior Director and Lead for the U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission, Simpson helped develop the strategy and policy recommendations for Congress on how to better protect the U.S. from cyberattacks. He also spent years serving as a general counsel and national security law advisor in the special operations community and senior leadership of the Department of Defense. Simpson has years of military experience in the United States Army's 82nd Airborne, including deployments to Afghanistan and other hot spots around the globe. He received the Bronze Star and Defense Meritorious Service Medal twice, and he continues to serve today as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve. Cory is a West Virginia native and still maintains a residence in the Mountain State.