Katherine "Katie" Arrington currently is the Chief Information Security Officer for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition. In this position, she serves as the central hub and integrator within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, OUSD(A&S), to align acquisition cyber strategy.
As the cyber lead and programmatic analytic advisor for strategic cyber programs, Ms. Arrington is responsible for conducting analysis within the major defense acquisition program portfolio and across the Department of Defense. This cross functional analysis will ensure transparency within the acquisition strategy, interoperability between enterprise networks, and compliance strategies for cyber initiatives. She also meets with key Cyber personnel (across both DoD and Federal Agencies) as well as legislators to ensure that changes made in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) are supportive in reaching the goals of decreased spending and increased compliance with current and future standards. The final focal point will be on protecting the Department's intellectual property/data and securing our weapon systems and critical infrastructure.
Before assuming her position in OUSD(A&S), Ms. Arrington had an extensive career as a legislator and senior cyber executive. Ms. Arrington was a candidate for South Carolina US House of Representative 2018 and a South Carolina State Representative for 2 terms. She has substantial experience and capabilities in cyber strategy, policy, enablement and implementation across a wide range of domains, including DoD, Federal, Healthcare and State. She acquired her experience in cyber over the past 15 years with Booz Allen Hamilton, Centuria Corporation and Dispersive Networks. This has given her the unique experience of working at a large business, small business and non-traditional contractor for the government. She attended Canisius College in Buffalo, NY.

Ernest Wong is a Technical Lead at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) working on Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) and space systems resilience issues. In addition to managing R&D, he provides technical policy advice to DHS leadership on issues relating to PNT cybersecurity, space systems, and critical infrastructure resilience.

Ernest has spent the last 10 years managing R&D on critical infrastructure security issues and was the DHS contributor to national strategy documents such as the White House OSTP/NSTC National R&D Plan for PNT Resilience and the White House OSTP/NSTC Quantum Sensors National Strategy (Bringing Quantum Sensors to Fruition). He also works closely with industry to address critical infrastructure resiliency challenges and led the development of the Resilient PNT Conformance Framework, which has since transitioned to IEEE P1952 for the development of voluntary standards.

Ernest's focus at DHS is critical infrastructure resilience and its intersection with emerging technologies and threats, including PNT, space systems, cybersecurity, quantum, and 5G.

Before coming to DHS S&T, Ernest was an IT project manager delivering enterprise software solutions to the General Services Administration (GSA). Ernest holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Michigan and a Master of Public Policy from George Mason University.

Dr. Dianne Poster provides more than two decades of technical experience in research and development for measurements, standards, technology, and data at the United States (U.S.) Department of Commerce (DOC) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Her portfolio covers innovative developments in radiation physics and chemistry, materials engineering, and optical, dimensional, and chemical metrology. Her current work supports the U.S. DOC National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Space Commerce promoting U.S. space commerce through international technical standards development and innovation in space systems, data, and cybersecurity technologies. She leads DOC representation for the U.S. interagency supporting space activities, including developing principles for national strategies in cislunar science and technology, planetary defense, low Earth orbit research and development, and in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing.

Previously, as the deputy associate director for technology and environmental policy at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Dr. Poster administered the environmental federal regulatory portfolio and advised on policy and strategy issues related to protecting the environment.

Valerie M. Cofield serves as the Chief Strategy Officer of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Ms. Cofield serves as the principal policy and strategic adviser to CISA leadership and senior management, integrating strategy across all the organization's mission areas and ensuring policy, strategy, and operational consistency throughout the agency.

Prior to CISA, Ms. Cofield served at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for 22 years in a variety of roles. She was a Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) for the Cyber Capabilities Branch within the FBI's Cyber Division where she led coordination and deployment of the division's technical tools and capabilities, and oversaw cyber-related training, recruiting, hiring, and budgeting for the division. She also served in a senior executive role as chief of staff of the Science and Technology Branch and as a DAD of the Digital Transformation Office (DTO), where she engaged with interagency partners and other key stakeholders on policy issues related to current and emerging technologies and their impact on law enforcement.

In 2019, Ms. Cofield was selected as the FBI's senior detail to the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. This Congressional Commission was authorized through the FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Its mission was to develop a national strategy for preventing cyberattacks of significant consequences. While on the Commission, Ms. Cofield was a Senior Director and Task Force Lead. The Commission completed its report in March of 2020 with over 75 recommendations, 25 of which were included in the FY21 NDAA and enacted into law.

Ms. Cofield holds a bachelor's degree in Economics with a minor in Accounting from UCLA.

Mr. Shepard is the Chief Engineer of Cyber Programs at Sierra Nevada Company (SNC). Mr. Shepard has a bachelor of science in electrical engineering and 15 years of experience in product development, information system design and cybersecurity for both commercial and government industrial sectors. Mr. Shepard holds two US patents for machine to machine cyber security and advanced networking methodologies, In his current role, Mr. Shepard is responsible for technical design and development of SNC's cybersecurity product portfolio, including products targeting cybersecurity for space assets

Capt. David M. Vermillion is the Commercial Consolidated Satellite Systems Expert Deputy Division Chief at Space Delta 8, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. He connects warfighters to centrally managed commercial SATCOM while providing leaders with situational awareness.

Captain Vermillion commissioned into the Air Force through ROTC from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in May 2020 and completed his transfer to the Space Force in February 2022. He completed Officer Undergraduate Space Training in October 2021 and concluded his initial training pipeline in July 2022. He has overseen shift operations for the crew section dedicated to operating the Defense Satellite Communication System (DSCS) and Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite constellations, including his unit's first satellite disposal operation, and taught both the technical details of operating those systems and how to effectively use them for a variety of missions.

Throughout his active-duty time, he undertook multiple special projects, including six appearances at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and a keynote presentation at FIRST Robotics Denver Regional to discuss the Space Force. He also coordinated machine learning research and development efforts to improve satellite anomaly detection processes culminating in two publications. Prior to his current position, the Captain was a Staff Instructor at the 8th Combat Training Squadron, Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado.

Brandon Bailey is a principal engineer for the Cybersecurity and Advanced Platforms Subdivision (CAPS) at The Aerospace Corporation, at The Aerospace Corporation. In this role, Bailey has focused on developing a cyber range to support penetration testing training and in-the-lab evaluation of customers' implementations, performing vulnerability assessments and penetration testing activities for multiple customers as well as performing cybersecurity research on ground systems and spacecraft systems to better position the federal government with respect to protection of our critical space infrastructure. Bailey has also led the development of the space-focused tactic, technique, and procedures (TTPs) framework called Space Attack Research and Tactic Analysis (SPARTA). SPARTA is intended to provide unclassified information to space professionals about how spacecraft may be attacked. Bailey is a former civil servant at NASA, where he led various cybersecurity efforts and was awarded NASA's Exceptional Service Medal for his landmark cybersecurity work in 2019. He has extensive experience in the test and evaluation of systems and technology using high-fidelity digital twins with specialization in cybersecurity.

Thorsten Stremlau is a Distinguished Engineer and Systems Principal Architect in NVIDIA. He is responsible for technical strategies for components, devices, software and cloud services. In this role, Thorsten identifies and drives integration of current and future technologies, integrating them into the product development processes, and specifically drives innovation into the security capabilities of NVIDIA's portfolio.

Thorsten's career has been dedicated to identifying solutions and strategic implementations for customers in all aspects of IT. As an engineer for nearly 25 years, his broad experience enabled him to assist thousands of our customers to digitally transform their environments using advanced technology.

Thorsten holds a Bachelor in Industrial Manufacturing/Finance. Thorsten lives in North Carolina with his family.

James "Aaron" Bishop, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the Department of the Air Force, comprised of the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force. As CISO, he is responsible for advising the Chief Information Officer and senior officials on cybersecurity policy, cybersecurity programs and cyber force development in the department. He leads a Directorate comprised of military, civilian and contractor personnel responsible for developing cybersecurity policy and strategy for over 5,000 Air Force information technology systems. He oversees risk management and cybersecurity accountability for information systems, weapon systems and operational technology supporting military cyberspace operations. His portfolio includes policy and governance of the defense industrial base, cyber supply chain risk management, compliance and cybersecurity capabilities. He has oversight for the Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act laws and cryptographic modernization supporting cyber operations for the department.

Mr. Bishop recently joined the Department of the Air Force to drive cybersecurity innovation. He is a highly experienced National Security Services and Information Security Executive with in-depth knowledge of government contracting, business execution, national security, military supply chain, criminal investigation and cybersecurity. As the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Eigenspace and Quantum Security Alliance, Mr. Bishop evangelized disruptive and transformational research and approaches to the cyber industry while building coalitions with academia, industry partners and U.S. government agencies. As an industry expert, he was nominated to the Presidential National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Bishop held positions in industry as a key leader with the Science Applications International Corporation as Vice President of Enterprise Business Transformation and Chief Architect, and later, the Chief Information Security Officer. Prior to SAIC, Mr. Bishop was the General Manager of Microsoft Corporation's National Security Group. He was responsible for providing consultation and support services to National Intelligence, Military Intelligence, U.S. Special Operations, the Department of Justice, Department of Energy and the Department of Homeland Security. Prior to Microsoft, Mr. Bishop was the Chief Technologist at Keane Federal Systems and Chief Technology Officer of ANSTEC, Inc. Mr. Bishop is a veteran having served honorably in the United States Navy.

Mr. Bishop earned a Bachelor of Science in General Studies from Northwestern State University and a Master of Science in Cybersecurity in Management and Policy from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

https://csps.aerospace.org/experts/lori-gordon

Lori W. Gordon is Systems Director in the Space Enterprise Evolution Directorate at The Aerospace Corporation. In her role, she leads enterprise integration initiatives focused on international competition and collaboration, commercial ventures, and legislative and regulatory frameworks in support of space infrastructure and economic growth, security, and resilience, all in the national interest. At Aerospace since 2018. Gordon is also a partner with Aerospace's Center for Space Policy and Strategy (CSPS) and leads Aerospace's engagement with myriad collaborators, including the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC) and the National Security Institute (NSI). With more than 20 years of professional experience, Gordon has contributed to the development of national-level strategies, capabilities, and programs across homeland, intelligence, and civil agencies.

Gordon began her career focusing on energy efficiency and renewable energy policy supporting the Department of Energy before expanding her domain expertise across other critical infrastructure sectors, including information and communications technology and the defense industrial base. At The MITRE Corporation from 2005 to 2014 and at a Washington, D.C.-based strategy consultancy from 2014 to 2018, she led critical infrastructure security portfolios working with the government to reduce risk and accelerate adoption of emerging technologies.

Gordon continues to collaborate on policy and technical publications with the Atlantic Council, the National Security Institute, the Cutter Consortium, and other think tanks on cislunar ecosystems; space traffic coordination; in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM); space safety and sustainability; supply chain; and cybersecurity.

Former CIO and CISO at Anduril Industries where I built the cybersecurity and weapons system security programs from the ground up. Previously led cybersecurity operations at SpaceX and international cyber defense teams at Palantir. Before entering the private sector, served as tactical cyberwarfare operator at Joint Special Operations Command conducting pre-assault cyber and electronic warfare operations while attached to a Naval Special Warfare Reconnaissance Squadron. Currently founder of Wraithwatch, a cyber defense company backed by Peter Thiel's Founders Fund.

Rama Afullo is the Founder and CEO of Satlyt, a US-based space startup building the "Android of space compute." Previously, Rama led product initiatives at SpaceX (Starlink), Google AI Startups and Cloud Architecture, and Tesla's Energy Products division. He holds degrees in mechanical engineering and business management, and dropped out of a master's in Space Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins to start Satlyt. Rama has spoken at Space Tech Expo, SmallSat Europe, Google, and the NewSpace Africa Conference, and was recently selected as a Top 10 Global Startup in the 2025 Snowflake Startup Challenge and won the Dell Technologies Startup World Cup.

LTG (Ret) Ross Coffman is the founder of Coffman and Associates LLC, a consulting and advisory firm specializing in strategic and operational planning to improve leadership effectiveness, drive cultural change, enhance business operations, and increase organizational productivity. The firm has demonstrated proven success across government, corporate, academic, and non-profit sectors.
General Coffman serves as the President of Forward Edge AI, a Board Member of The Federal Savings Bank, and a Board Advisor to multiple successful companies. He is also a member of the Washington Speaker Bureau and a Senior Advisor for Ernst and Young.
General Coffman retired from the United States Army after more than 35 years of distinguished military service as an Armor Officer. He commanded units in nearly every echelon and served in multiple deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Eastern Europe, Bosnia, and Haiti. He also served in the Army Force Generation, responsible for training large units for combat. In his final assignment in the military, he served as the Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army Futures Command in Austin, Texas.
General Coffman is a decorated leader, recognized for both his individual contributions and those of the heroic units he served with. He is enshrined by Centre College as a Distinguished Alumnus, and is the recipient of the Harvey Leadership Award, MacArthur Leadership Award, Draper Leadership Award, Significant Sigma Chi Award, and is an Eagle Scout.
General Coffman holds a Bachelor's Degree from Centre College, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Embry-Riddle University, and completed a National Security Fellowship at Harvard's Kennedy School.

Zanir Habib is currently the CEO at Ferociter Consulting, where he works on hard Machine Learning & AI problems across National Security, Biotech & various other startups.
Last year, Zanir won a hard tech hackathon & co-founded a company working on RF Signal Anomaly detection for cybersecurity on satellites. (So he's in the perfect place!)
Zanir was previously a Senior Software Engineer at Northrop Grumman, where he worked on Comms Systems, Cyber Anomaly Detection, & different internal research efforts. Zanir was the Senior Class President at Johns Hopkins, where he conducted research on software-defined satellites and earned a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.

I am a Cyber Capability Development Consultant focusing on Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) Capability Maturity Models (CMM).

I serve on the front lines with the organizations we protect to help mitigate the risk of AI-enabled threats, emerging APTs, nation-state threats cascading into civilian targets, and exposure management solutions for sector-specific topics like large enterprise digital landscapes, Operational Technology (OT), Internet of Things (IoT) as well as New Space (NS).

My customers benefit from 31 years of battle-tested cyber operations experience.

When I am not supporting my customers, you will find me exploring inner space, Extended Reality (XR), or outer space, Space Cybersecurity Operations & Resilience (SCOR), as a volunteer instructor for the ethicallyHackingspace(es)® and meta.Humanity (mH)® nonprofit eco-systems.

My long-time passion for space was magnified after I served on the front lines to protect space operations as a Senior Manager for Cybersecurity Operations at SES Satellites Luxembourg. In this global satellite operator, I focused on extending the cyber capabilities service portfolio, improving service levels, maturing delivery processes, and enhancing the efficiency and capabilities of the Global Cybersecurity Operations team.

Since I departed from SES, Luxembourg, I have continued the good fight by developing the global h4ck32n4u75 (Hackernauts)® community focused on "Securing the Final Frontier." We also serve as the launch pad for cybersecurity professionals who want to "Break Into Orbit."

My passion for inner space and Extended Reality (XR) was a natural evolution due to the convergence of space and XR.

CURRENT POSITION: Chief Master Sergeant Kenneth M. Bruce, Jr., assumed his present duties as Command Senior Enlisted Leader, U.S. Cyber Command and Senior Enlisted Advisor, National Security Agency/Central Security Service in September 2023. He previously served as the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 16th Air Force, Air Forces Cyber from January 2021 - August 2023.