ISSA Central Plains Chapter
June 7^th 2024

Central Plains Chapter Meeting:

"Enhancing Cybersecurity in Operational Technology", Samuel Alva

Presentation: Operational technology (OT) is vital for streamlining processes, enhancing productivity, and ensuring the reliability of critical infrastructure systems. However, OT has unique cybersecurity challenges due to the intricate interconnectivity of legacy and current systems. CISA serves to promote a cohesive effort between government and industry that will improve CISA's ability to anticipate, prioritize, and manage national-level OT risk. CISA works with OT vendors and operators across all critical infrastructure sectors to identify security vulnerabilities and develop sound, proactive mitigation strategies that strengthen their OT systems' cybersecurity posture.

Speaker Bio: Samuel Alva serves as the Cybersecurity Advisor for region IIV. As a CSA, Samuel contributes to the development of the national risk picture by assisting with the identification, assessment, monitoring, and minimizing of risk to critical infrastructure. Samuel engages as a physical and cyber technical security advisor with Federal, State, local, tribal, and territorial government mission partners and members of the private sector stakeholder communities. CSAs serve as the link to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) infrastructure protection resources; coordinate security and resiliency assessments, and training, and provide a vital link for information sharing in steady-state and during incident response.

Prior to DHS, Samuel worked in the civilian sector as director of business development and weapons and tactics. His roles included developing new and continuing business in the State of Kansas. He also conducted numerous risk and vulnerability assessments to include physical and cyber infrastructure analysis. Samuel has expertise in electronic security systems including surveillance systems, access control systems, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and advanced sensor technology. Samuel also teaches cyber-physical system fundamentals at Wichita State University, it's a first of its kind, bridging the gap between cyber and physical security.

Samuel is also a retired member of the Kansas Air National Guard, with over 21 years of service. Samuel served many roles in the Air Force and Kansas Air National Guard including Security Forces Team Member, Phoenix Raven Team Member, and a Member of the 177th Information Aggressor Squadron. As a Phoenix Raven, Samuel helped detect, deter, and counter threats to AMC aircraft by performing close-in aircraft security and advising aircrews on force protection measures. The 177th Information Aggressor Squadron is an NSA-certified Red Team unit, responsible for conducting full-spectrum threat assessments to identify and mitigate physical and network vulnerabilities for participating Department of Defense units.

Samuel has earned an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice from the Community College of the Air Force, an Associate of Applied Science in Information Systems Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Security Management from Southwestern College, and a Master of Arts degree in Security Administration from Southwestern College.

The Information Systems Security Association (ISSA)® is a not-for-profit international organization of information security professionals and practitioners.  It provides education forums, publications and peer interaction opportunities that enhance the knowledge, skill and professional growth of its members. We hope the ISSA will provide a chance to interface with other IT professionals and further your awareness of security practices and technologies.

This meeting is open to the general public with no expectations of membership.

Date:
Time: Location:

Friday, August 2^nd, 2024
1:00 pm until 3:00 pm
Online Event

Join us via Zoom! (Link in registration email)