Press Releases

Former CISA and NCCIC Leader John Felker Joins the National Technology Security Coalition’s Advisory Council

Monday, September 28, 2020

ATLANTA, GA (September 28, 2020) – John Felker, recently retired as Assistant Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), has joined the National Technology Security Coalition’s (NTSC) Advisory Council. The NTSC Advisory Council serves as a forum for national cybersecurity policy leaders, technology executives, and vendor companies to discuss national policy issues that impact their ability to conduct business. The Council also helps guide the NTSC Board’s involvement with advocacy initiatives.

“During my time with CISA and the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC), we saw how crucial a role the federal government plays in helping the private sector defend our nation’s critical infrastructure,” said Felker. “Though no longer at CISA, I am excited about continuing to help the private sector by leveraging the experiences I have had over the past 30-plus years in the Coast Guard, the private sector and in DHS. Helping CISOs acquire a more powerful and united national voice related to policy discussions makes sense. The NTSC has worked hard during much of my tenure at CISA and the NCCIC to increase the amount of dialogue between the federal government and CISOs, leading to important initiatives such as the recently introduced Cybersecurity Advisory Committee Authorization Act of 2020. I am honored to join the NTSC’s Advisory Council and help this important organization continue its mission of uniting the public and private sector around policies that improve national cybersecurity standards and awareness.”

At CISA, Felker led the Integrated Operations Division (IOD), which focuses integrated operations across the Agency extending to Regional CISA elements, intelligence, operational planning and mission execution with a focus on risk mitigation and response efforts. He was the Director of the NCCIC from August 2015 to June 2019. Prior to joining CISA, Felker served as Director of Cyber and Intelligence Strategy for HP Enterprise Services. He co-authored several papers on cyber intelligence under the auspices of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance and served on the cyber committee of AFCEA. He currently serves as an advisor to the Military Cyber Professionals Association and the Cyber Security Forum Initiative, and he is a Senior Fellow at the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical infrastructure Security at Auburn University.

“In his roles at CISA and the NCCIC, John has been a big supporter of the NTSC’s policy priority of strengthening the partnership between the public and private sectors,” said Patrick Gaul, Executive Director of the NTSC. “After spending 30 years in the Coast Guard (including Deputy Commander of Coast Guard Cyber Command), John held significant cybersecurity leadership roles in both the public and private sectors. He’s a nationally sought-after cybersecurity expert, and the NTSC is honored to have John join our Advisory Board. We look forward to hearing his perspectives and insights informed by his unique public and private sector experiences.”

The NTSC Advisory Council plays a key role in driving the national dialogue in respect to promoting the development of technology security solutions and policies. The Advisory Council helps to connect the NTSC Board of Directors to relevant service providers, sponsors, policy experts, educators, practitioners, security authorities, and other stakeholders. Through its expertise and guidance, the Advisory Council supports the advancement of the NTSC and helps ensure that the organization achieves its mission.

About the National Technology Security Coalition

The National Technology Security Coalition is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that serves as the preeminent advocacy voice for the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) across the nation. Through dialogue, education, and government relations, we unite both public and private sector stakeholders around policies that improve national cybersecurity standards and awareness.

Contact: Patrick Gaul, Executive Director
Phone: (404) 457-4329
Email:
Patrick@NTSC.org
Twitter:
@NTSC_CISO