Zero Trusts Given
Navigating DoD Zero Trust Security with Zscaler
In response to evolving DoD network security standards, Government agencies must transition from traditional perimeter-based security to Zero Trust models. By leveraging expert insights and Zscaler鈥檚 Zero Trust solutions, Federal agencies can ensure network security while complying with Government requirements.
Tune into the podcast series to hear Tom Tittermary and Tom Gianelos discuss how DoD agencies navigate the Zero Trust landscape to protect sensitive data from emerging cyber threats.
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Episode 1: In the Beginning
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Episode 2: Zero Faith
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Episode 3: Needle in the Haystack
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Episode 4: Do Androids Dream of Electric Data?
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Episode 5: Drowning in Data
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Episode 6: The Conrad
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Episode 7: Strategies with How to Eat an Elephant
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Episode 8: Thinking Tactically
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Episode 9: These Guys Literally Wrote the Book
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Episode 10: Identity as the Core of Zero Trust
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Episode 11: If You鈥檙e Reachable, You鈥檙e Breachable: Modernizing Defense with Zero Trust
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Episode 12: "Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together," Zscaler & Vectra AI in the DoD
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Episode 13: Disconnected, Contested, and Secure: Zero Trust for the Tactical Edge
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Episode 14: Zero Trust as a Journey: Lessons from General Robert Skinner
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Episode 15: The Power of Zero Trust Ecosystems: Securing the Tactical Frontline
Episode 1: In the Beginning
Episode 1: In the Beginning
In this insightful episode, join Tom Tittermary, Rich Johnson, and Ryan McArthur as they dive into the critical role Zero Trust plays within the Department of Defense (DoD). The panel explores how Zero Trust principles are reshaping cybersecurity strategies, improving data protection, and strengthening national security in an era of evolving threats.
The conversation addresses key challenges in implementing Zero Trust within the DoD, including cultural shifts, technological barriers, and the complexities of securing legacy systems. The panel also discusses the evolution of Zero Trust policies, frameworks, and tactics over the years, shedding light on lessons learned and what the future holds for its adoption.
This episode is perfect for tech enthusiasts, cybersecurity professionals, and anyone interested in understanding how Zero Trust is transforming the defense landscape. Tune in to gain valuable insights from leading experts on the forefront of innovation and cybersecurity policy in the DoD!
Our Hosts:
Senior Manager,
Sales Engineering,
Zscaler
Tom Tittermary is the Systems Engineering Manager at Zscaler for the DOD and Intelligence Community, as well as the strategic product development lead at Zscaler for Special Programs. Tom has over 20 years of experience in Federal IT and Cybersecurity, including running the Intelligence community engineering teams at Symantec and Veritas, as well as starting the engineering effort at Zscaler in their Federal Practice.
Account Executive,
Special Programs,
Zscaler
Tom Gianelos, originally a Meteorology graduate from Florida State University, transitioned to IT, managing a global satellite network. Tom became the Director of Network Engineering at a software company until September 2001, when he moved into Federal contracting. After 15 years, Tom then went to work at boutique FSIs, progressing into a Senior Sales Engineer role, and has spent the last 5 years as both an SE and AE at Zscaler.
Featured Speakers:
Senior Sales Engineer,
DoD,
Zscaler
Rich Johnson, Senior Sales Engineer at Zscaler, helps US Federal customers address complex technical challenges, specializing in cloud migration and zero trust architectures. With 35+ years of IT and cybersecurity experience, he previously held senior roles at Riverbed Technology, Polycom, and Lucent Technologies. Rich holds a Computer Science degree from the University of Maryland.
Federal CTO,
Zscaler
Ryan McArthur, CTO for Public Sector, Federal at Zscaler, provides technical leadership to drive innovative solutions and enhance operational capabilities for the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian agencies, the Intelligence Community, and Federal Systems Integrators. Previously, he was Executive Program Manager for the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) at DISA and Senior Technical Advisor to the DoD Deputy CIO for the Information Enterprise, where he supported tactical cloud strategy development. A decorated retired Army Signal Chief Warrant Officer, Ryan served in Operation Enduring Freedom and held various communications roles. He earned a B.S. in IT Management from Trident University International and is a recipient of numerous prestigious industry awards.
Thank you for your interest! You can view the podcasts on these major platforms below:
You can view a transcription for this podcast here.
Episode 2: Zero Faith
Episode 2: Zero Faith
This episode features actionable insights on navigating culture change, discussing the importance of data protection and identity management. Guest speakers James Carnall and Quent Strandburg join hosts Tom Tittermary and Tom Gianelos to discuss the need for integration of cloud solutions and AI to enhance security in a multi-vendor environment. They focus on faster, smarter approaches to cybersecurity workflows through collaboration.
This series is a must-listen for professionals seeking to improve their organization鈥檚 approach to compliance and security strategies amidst evolving threats and requirements. Tune in today to learn more about the practical implementation of Zero Trust principles within the Department of Defense (DoD)!
Our Hosts:
Senior Manager,
Sales Engineering,
Zscaler
Tom Tittermary is the Systems Engineering Manager at Zscaler for the DOD and Intelligence Community, as well as the strategic product development lead at Zscaler for Special Programs. Tom has over 20 years of experience in Federal IT and Cybersecurity, including running the Intelligence community engineering teams at Symantec and Veritas, as well as starting the engineering effort at Zscaler in their Federal Practice.
Account Executive,
Special Programs,
Zscaler
Tom Gianelos, originally a Meteorology graduate from Florida State University, transitioned to IT, managing a global satellite network. Tom became the Director of Network Engineering at a software company until September 2001, when he moved into Federal contracting. After 15 years, Tom then went to work at boutique FSIs, progressing into a Senior Sales Engineer role, and has spent the last 5 years as both an SE and AE at Zscaler.
Featured Speakers:
Sales Engineering Manager,
DoD,
Red River
Quent Strandburg is the DoD Sales Engineering Manager at Red River, and has 20+ years of information technology (IT) expertise in systems engineering, network engineering, and hardware/software solutions in traditional data center and deployable communication solutions. Quent鈥檚 career in the DoD realm started in Cryptologic Operations for the US Navy, and after four years of active duty, he transitioned to a systems integrator, focusing on deployable communications for DoD and Intel sectors. After seven years at a SI, he transitioned to the Value-Added Reseller industry as a sales engineer in the Federal space.
Cybersecurity Lead,
Red River
James Carnall is the Cybersecurity Lead at Red River. James is an accomplished public speaker and published author with over 20 years of experience working in technology, cybersecurity, and cyber threat intelligence serving the DOD, Civilian, SLED, and commercial sectors. Prior to starting with Red River, James held various leadership positions at ZeroFox Inc., LookingGlass Cyber, QinetiQ and Cyveillance, focused on developing many of the on-premises and cloud external attack surface solutions as well as developing SaaS solutions.
Thank you for your interest! You can view the podcasts on these major platforms below:
You can view a transcription for this podcast here.
Episode 3: Needle in the Haystack
Episode 3: Needle in the Haystack
During this episode, David Pearson from ServiceNow joins hosts Tom Tittermary and Tom Gianelos to discuss the process of analyzing and simplifying large amounts of data, and how to make decisions based on the data collected. They also touch on the different Zero Trust Pillars.
This episode is perfect for anyone interested in better understanding data management and the complexities of implementing Zero Trust in large organizations. Tune in today to discover actionable insights on leveraging data for Zero Trust and fortifying your organization's security!
Our Hosts:
Senior Manager,
Sales Engineering,
Zscaler
Tom Tittermary is the Systems Engineering Manager at Zscaler for the DOD and Intelligence Community, as well as the strategic product development lead at Zscaler for Special Programs. Tom has over 20 years of experience in Federal IT and Cybersecurity, including running the Intelligence community engineering teams at Symantec and Veritas, as well as starting the engineering effort at Zscaler in their Federal Practice.
Account Executive,
Special Programs,
Zscaler
Tom Gianelos, originally a Meteorology graduate from Florida State University, transitioned to IT, managing a global satellite network. Tom became the Director of Network Engineering at a software company until September 2001, when he moved into Federal contracting. After 15 years, Tom then went to work at boutique FSIs, progressing into a Senior Sales Engineer role, and has spent the last 5 years as both an SE and AE at Zscaler.
Featured Speakers:
Advisory Solutions Consultant,
ServiceNow
David Pearson joined ServiceNow in 2021 as an Advisory Solutions Consultant to provide impactful solutions for the 4th Estate's mission-critical business problems. His diverse background includes roles at VMware supporting federal and Air Force accounts, and ten years in leadership at Northrop Grumman, including leading R&D Unification efforts. David's career, built on serving those who serve and understanding security principles, began with a Master of Science in Cyber Security and various industry certifications.
Thank you for your interest! You can view the podcasts on these major platforms below:
You can view a transcription for this podcast here.
Episode 4: Do Androids Dream of Electric Data?
Episode 4: Do Androids Dream of Electric Data?
This episode of Zero Trust Given features Skip Farmer from Primer, alongside hosts Tom Tittermary and Tom Gianelos, and examines the role of AI in the Zero Trust security model. From determining access and trust levels for AI entities to the phenomenon of AI 鈥渉allucinations鈥� that produce inaccurate information, this episode dives deep into the possibilities and challenges presented by Artificial Intelligence.
This episode is perfect for cybersecurity professionals, tech enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence and data security, especially with Zero Trust. Tune in today!
Our Hosts:
Senior Manager,
Sales Engineering,
Zscaler
Tom Tittermary is the Systems Engineering Manager at Zscaler for the DOD and Intelligence Community, as well as the strategic product development lead at Zscaler for Special Programs. Tom has over 20 years of experience in Federal IT and Cybersecurity, including running the Intelligence community engineering teams at Symantec and Veritas, as well as starting the engineering effort at Zscaler in their Federal Practice.
Account Executive,
Special Programs,
Zscaler
Tom Gianelos, originally a Meteorology graduate from Florida State University, transitioned to IT, managing a global satellite network. Tom became the Director of Network Engineering at a software company until September 2001, when he moved into Federal contracting. After 15 years, Tom then went to work at boutique FSIs, progressing into a Senior Sales Engineer role, and has spent the last 5 years as both an SE and AE at Zscaler.
Featured Speakers:
Advisory Solutions Consultant,
ServiceNow
Skip Farmer is a seasoned technology leader with over 28 years of experience in sales engineering, data governance, and technical architecture. Currently serving as Senior Director of Sales Engineering at Primer.ai, he plays a pivotal role in driving technical sales strategies and solutions. Skip continues to drive innovation in AI-powered data solutions, leveraging his extensive experience to help organizations harness the power of artificial intelligence for mission-critical operations.
Thank you for your interest! You can view the podcasts on these major platforms below:
You can view a transcription for this podcast here.
Episode 5: Drowning in Data
Episode 5: Drowning in Data
It can be daunting to think of the amount of data held by the Federal Government and specifically the DOD. Considering that a full zero trust implementation would mean tagging every piece, regardless of if it is a file, or in a database, we wonder how we could ever get there. Throw into the mix that every day more data is being generated than there is capacity for humans to tag that data effectively. What is there to do? How can we clear the backlog and create new methodologies to tag data effectively in line? This episode, featuring AJ Forysiak from Varonis and our hosts Tom Tittermary and Tom Gianelos, looks to answer these questions. Tune in today!
Our Hosts:
Senior Manager,
Sales Engineering,
Zscaler
Tom Tittermary is the Systems Engineering Manager at Zscaler for the DOD and Intelligence Community, as well as the strategic product development lead at Zscaler for Special Programs. Tom has over 20 years of experience in Federal IT and Cybersecurity, including running the Intelligence community engineering teams at Symantec and Veritas, as well as starting the engineering effort at Zscaler in their Federal Practice.
Account Executive,
Special Programs,
Zscaler
Tom Gianelos, originally a Meteorology graduate from Florida State University, transitioned to IT, managing a global satellite network. Tom became the Director of Network Engineering at a software company until September 2001, when he moved into Federal contracting. After 15 years, Tom then went to work at boutique FSIs, progressing into a Senior Sales Engineer role, and has spent the last 5 years as both an SE and AE at Zscaler.
Featured Speakers:
Andrew 鈥淎J鈥� Forysiak is a US Army veteran, serving as a Military Intelligence Officer, Senior DoD Executive supporting Cyber Training Ranges, Military Intelligence, ISR, and NSA for over 27 years. He currently serves as a Business Development Executive for Varonis. AJ is an innovator, disrupter, and builder of teams. He holds a Master鈥檚 degree in Public Administration from American University, a Master鈥檚 degree in Cybersecurity from Brown University, and he is a Senior Executive Fellow from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
Thank you for your interest! You can view the podcasts on these major platforms below:
You can view a transcription for this podcast here.
Episode 6: The Conrad
Episode 6: The Conrad
This episode, featuring hosts Tom Tittermary and Tom Gianelos with special Zscaler guest Conrad Maiorino, explores how Zero Trust eliminates network access points by making applications unreachable, as opposed to traditional security. They discuss Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) and Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA), which are used for secure, mutually authenticated user-to-application tunnels, disrupting adversary tactics.
The discussion highlights Zscaler's solution for "Denied, Deprecated, Intermittent or Low Bandwidth" (DDIL/CDOL) scenarios, ensuring secure access even without constant cloud connectivity. The speakers also cover integrating Zscaler with identity providers for policy building based on user attributes and why this Zero Trust security is valuable for the DoD and other critical sectors like hospitals and manufacturing.
This episode is perfect for cybersecurity professionals, especially those working with or for the Department of Defense, IT leaders and network architects looking to implement or deepen their understanding of Zero Trust principles. Listen today!
Our Hosts:
Senior Manager,
Sales Engineering,
Zscaler
Tom Tittermary is the Systems Engineering Manager at Zscaler for the DOD and Intelligence Community, as well as the strategic product development lead at Zscaler for Special Programs. Tom has over 20 years of experience in Federal IT and Cybersecurity, including running the Intelligence community engineering teams at Symantec and Veritas, as well as starting the engineering effort at Zscaler in their Federal Practice.
Account Executive,
Special Programs,
Zscaler
Tom Gianelos, originally a Meteorology graduate from Florida State University, transitioned to IT, managing a global satellite network. Tom became the Director of Network Engineering at a software company until September 2001, when he moved into Federal contracting. After 15 years, Tom then went to work at boutique FSIs, progressing into a Senior Sales Engineer role, and has spent the last 5 years as both an SE and AE at Zscaler.
Featured Speakers:
A proven leader at the intersection of engineering and go-to-market strategy, Conrad Maiorino brings over 20 years of driving growth across public and private sectors. With deep expertise in cybersecurity, cloud, software, and data management, he has led transformative initiatives at global tech powerhouses including Zscaler, Palo Alto Networks, and NetApp. Conrad specializes in guiding complex organizations through digital transformation鈥攎ost notably toward Zero Trust architecture. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma with Merit in Information Systems Management from the University of Liverpool and am currently expanding my expertise through advanced studies in Artificial Intelligence focused on its application to large-scale data for accelerated learning in cybersecurity.
Thank you for your interest! You can view the podcasts on these major platforms below:
You can view a transcription for this podcast here.
Episode 7: Strategies with How to Eat an Elephant
Episode 7: Strategies with How to Eat an Elephant
In this episode of Zero Trust Given, hosts Tom Tittermary and Tom Gianelos chat with Jean-Paul (JP) Bergeaux, CTO of GuidePoint Security, about implementing Zero Trust in government and DoD environments. They explore key challenges, such as tackling the data pillar, breaking down silos between teams, and automating risk-based decision-making. JP emphasizes the importance of starting small with achievable wins, leveraging existing tools, and taking an iterative approach. He shares how his team helped a DoD agency make significant progress without new tech, showing that Zero Trust is more about collaboration, strategy, and mindset than an overnight overhaul. Zero Trust is a journey of gradual improvement that integrates security into everything while supporting mission effectiveness.
This episode is perfect for cybersecurity professionals, especially those working with or for the Department of Defense, IT leaders and network architects looking to implement or deepen their understanding of Zero Trust principles. Listen today!
Our Hosts:
Senior Manager,
Sales Engineering,
Zscaler
Tom Tittermary is the Systems Engineering Manager at Zscaler for the DOD and Intelligence Community, as well as the strategic product development lead at Zscaler for Special Programs. Tom has over 20 years of experience in Federal IT and Cybersecurity, including running the Intelligence community engineering teams at Symantec and Veritas, as well as starting the engineering effort at Zscaler in their Federal Practice.
Account Executive,
Special Programs,
Zscaler
Tom Gianelos, originally a Meteorology graduate from Florida State University, transitioned to IT, managing a global satellite network. Tom became the Director of Network Engineering at a software company until September 2001, when he moved into Federal contracting. After 15 years, Tom then went to work at boutique FSIs, progressing into a Senior Sales Engineer role, and has spent the last 5 years as both an SE and AE at Zscaler.
Featured Speakers:
With more than 25 years of experience in the Federal technology industry, Jean-Paul Bergeaux has been the Federal CTO for GuidePoint Security since 2016. Jean-Paul鈥檚 career has been marked by success in technical leadership roles with ADIC (now Quantum), NetApp, Commvault, and SwishData. Jean-Paul focuses on identifying customers鈥� challenges and architecting innovative solutions to solve their complex problems. He is also a thought leader on topics that are top of mind for Federal IT Managers like Cyber Security, ZeroTrust, Cloud, and Business Continuity.
Thank you for your interest! You can view the podcasts on these major platforms below:
You can view a transcription for this podcast here.
Episode 8: Thinking Tactically
Episode 8: Thinking Tactically
In this episode of Zero Trusts Given, hosts Tom Tittermary and Tom Gianelos are joined by Jared Shepard, CEO of Hypori, to discuss redefining device security and enabling Zero Trust in edge environments. Jared introduces Hypori鈥檚 virtual mobile operating system, which eliminates data at rest and transit on edge devices by streaming encrypted pixels securely, allowing users to work from compromised or personal devices without risk to enterprise systems. This approach enables agility in BYOD, tactical missions, and mission partner environments, simplifying access while maintaining strong security posture. Jared also discusses the importance of a defense-in-depth approach, avoiding reliance on single vendors, and improving downstream supply chain security to protect critical infrastructures. The episode concludes with a heartfelt discussion about Jared鈥檚 nonprofit, Warrior鈥檚 Ethos, which supports veterans transitioning from military service by providing mentorship, resources, and job support. He encourages listeners to volunteer, hire veterans, and help ease their transition into civilian opportunities.
This episode is perfect for tech enthusiasts, cybersecurity professionals, and anyone interested in understanding how Zero Trust is transforming the defense landscape. Tune in to gain valuable insights from leading experts on the forefront of innovation and cybersecurity policy in the DoD!
Our Hosts:
Senior Manager,
Sales Engineering,
Zscaler
Tom Tittermary is the Systems Engineering Manager at Zscaler for the DOD and Intelligence Community, as well as the strategic product development lead at Zscaler for Special Programs. Tom has over 20 years of experience in Federal IT and Cybersecurity, including running the Intelligence community engineering teams at Symantec and Veritas, as well as starting the engineering effort at Zscaler in their Federal Practice.
Account Executive,
Special Programs,
Zscaler
Tom Gianelos, originally a Meteorology graduate from Florida State University, transitioned to IT, managing a global satellite network. Tom became the Director of Network Engineering at a software company until September 2001, when he moved into Federal contracting. After 15 years, Tom then went to work at boutique FSIs, progressing into a Senior Sales Engineer role, and has spent the last 5 years as both an SE and AE at Zscaler.
Featured Speakers:
Thank you for your interest! You can view the podcasts on these major platforms below:
You can view a transcription for this podcast here.
Episode 9: These Guys Literally Wrote the Book
Episode 9: These Guys Literally Wrote the Book
Episode nine of the podcast, These Guys Literally Wrote the Book, features Rob Freter and Joe Brinker from True Zero Technologies, delving into the evolving implementation of Zero Trust principles across the Department of Defense, the Defense Industrial Base, and the broader federal government. They discuss the importance of starting with a clear problem statement and solution, emphasizing the cultural and practical need for a structured approach to security, including policy enforcement points (PEPs). Drawing analogies to cinematic sequels like The Godfather Part II, the episode explores how Zero Trust architectures have evolved to be even better with their second iterations, offering cleaner lines and easier readability.
Whether you're a tech enthusiast, cybersecurity professional, or just interested in better understanding Zero Trust in the defense landscape, this podcast will shed light on lessons learned and provide valuable insights from cybersecurity experts. Tune in today!
Our Hosts:
Senior Manager,
Sales Engineering,
Zscaler
Tom Tittermary is the Systems Engineering Manager at Zscaler for the DOD and Intelligence Community, as well as the strategic product development lead at Zscaler for Special Programs. Tom has over 20 years of experience in Federal IT and Cybersecurity, including running the Intelligence community engineering teams at Symantec and Veritas, as well as starting the engineering effort at Zscaler in their Federal Practice.
Account Executive,
Special Programs,
Zscaler
Tom Gianelos, originally a Meteorology graduate from Florida State University, transitioned to IT, managing a global satellite network. Tom became the Director of Network Engineering at a software company until September 2001, when he moved into Federal contracting. After 15 years, Tom then went to work at boutique FSIs, progressing into a Senior Sales Engineer role, and has spent the last 5 years as both an SE and AE at Zscaler.
Featured Speakers:
Senior Cybersecurity Engineer and Zero Trust Practice Lead,
True Zero Technologies
Mr. Freter is a senior cybersecurity engineer and the Zero Trust Practice Lead at True Zero Technologies. Prior to joining True Zero, Mr. Freter worked for the Department of Defense (DOD) leading enterprise-wide Cybersecurity Operations and Program management for both the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM). At DISA, in partnership with DoD CIO, NSA, and US Cyber Command, Rob led the development of the second DOD Zero Trust Reference Architectures (ZTRAs) and supported the development of the DoD鈥檚 Zero Trust Strategy.
Director of Federal Services,
True Zero Technologies
Mr. Brinker is the Director of Federal Services at True Zero Technologies. Prior to joining True Zero, Mr. Brinker served as the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Security Enablers Portfolio Division Chief within the DISA Cyber Development Directorate. In this role, Mr. Brinker, in partnership with DoD CIO, NSA, and US Cyber Command, led the development and approval of the DoD鈥檚 first Zero Trust Reference Architecture, and co-led the DoD鈥檚 Joint Zero Trust Program Office and the DoD鈥檚 ICAM Joint Program Integration Office (JPIO).
Thank you for your interest! You can view the podcasts on these major platforms below:
You can view a transcription for this podcast here.
Episode 10: Identity as the Core of Zero Trust
Episode 10: Identity as the Core of Zero Trust
Episode ten of the podcast, Identity as the Core of Zero Trust, features Dan Miller from Ping Identity, emphasizing that verifying digital identity and assessing user attributes in real time is critical before granting access to any DoD resource. He discusses the importance of using detailed attributes like location, device, and role instead of relying on simple logins to make smarter, real-time access decisions, which is crucial for secure operations in classified and remote environments. Since many DoD units work in disconnected settings, Ping Identity provides local identity solutions that keep missions running and sync with the cloud when reconnected. This episode explores how, in joint missions, enforcing secure data sharing through identity-driven access and tagging paves the way for granular Zero Trust.
This episode is perfect for tech enthusiasts, cybersecurity professionals, and anyone interested in understanding how Zero Trust is transforming the defense landscape. Tune in to gain valuable insights from leading experts on the forefront of innovation and cybersecurity policy in the DoD!
Our Hosts:
Senior Manager,
Sales Engineering,
Zscaler
Tom Tittermary is the Systems Engineering Manager at Zscaler for the DOD and Intelligence Community, as well as the strategic product development lead at Zscaler for Special Programs. Tom has over 20 years of experience in Federal IT and Cybersecurity, including running the Intelligence community engineering teams at Symantec and Veritas, as well as starting the engineering effort at Zscaler in their Federal Practice.
Account Executive,
Special Programs,
Zscaler
Tom Gianelos, originally a Meteorology graduate from Florida State University, transitioned to IT, managing a global satellite network. Tom became the Director of Network Engineering at a software company until September 2001, when he moved into Federal contracting. After 15 years, Tom then went to work at boutique FSIs, progressing into a Senior Sales Engineer role, and has spent the last 5 years as both an SE and AE at Zscaler.
Featured Speakers:
Senior Director of Federal Sales,
Ping Identity
Dan Miller is a Senior Director at Ping Identity focused on the US Federal Government sector. He has a successful history working in cyber security and the identity, credential and access management space. His experience also spans Enterprise Software, SaaS, Go-to-market Strategy, Sales Management, Strategic Partnerships, Government Policy and Professional Services. Prior to Ping Identity Dan held senior level roles at Duo Security, SonicWall, Entrust and Symantec.
Thank you for your interest! You can view the podcasts on these major platforms below:
Episode 11: If You鈥檙e Reachable, You鈥檙e Breachable: Modernizing Defense with Zero Trust
Episode 11: If You鈥檙e Reachable, You鈥檙e Breachable: Modernizing Defense with Zero Trust
Episode eleven of the podcast, If You鈥檙e Reachable, You鈥檙e Breachable: Modernizing Defense with Zero Trust, features Hansang Bae, Public Sector CTO of Zscaler, for an in-depth discussion on the evolution, practicality, and impact of Zero Trust within the Department of Defense (DoD) and the broader government. Hansang explains why Zero Trust feels fundamentally different from past compliance-driven initiatives, noting that modern technology finally delivers on the promise of simpler deployment, richer telemetry, and stronger defenses without massive overhauls.
The conversation also explores the growing role of AI and machine learning in cybersecurity, including agentic AI, its strengths in pattern recognition, its limitations in nuance, and the potential evolution of human-in-the-loop models. Finally, the episode examines real-world operational realities for DoD environments and how Zero Trust disrupts adversary tactics while remaining deployable even at the tactical edge.
Whether you're a tech enthusiast, cybersecurity professional, or simply interested in understanding how Zero Trust is reshaping the defense landscape, this episode delivers valuable insights and lessons learned from one of the industry鈥檚 leading experts. Tune in today!
Our Hosts:
Senior Manager,
Sales Engineering,
Zscaler
Tom Tittermary is the Systems Engineering Manager at Zscaler for the DOD and Intelligence Community, as well as the strategic product development lead at Zscaler for Special Programs. Tom has over 20 years of experience in Federal IT and Cybersecurity, including running the Intelligence community engineering teams at Symantec and Veritas, as well as starting the engineering effort at Zscaler in their Federal Practice.
Account Executive,
Special Programs,
Zscaler
Tom Gianelos, originally a Meteorology graduate from Florida State University, transitioned to IT, managing a global satellite network. Tom became the Director of Network Engineering at a software company until September 2001, when he moved into Federal contracting. After 15 years, Tom then went to work at boutique FSIs, progressing into a Senior Sales Engineer role, and has spent the last 5 years as both an SE and AE at Zscaler.
Featured Speakers:
Public Sector CTO,
Zscaler
Hansang Bae has over 25 years of experience in the information technology industry. As Zscaler鈥檚 Public Sector CTO, he assists and educates customers on their digital transformation journeys and is deeply passionate about helping public sector organizations adopt Cloud-First security strategies.
Throughout his career, Hansang has held executive roles at Netskope and Riverbed. Prior to Riverbed, he was part of Citigroup鈥檚 Architecture and Technology Engineering leadership team, serving as one of six global engineering leads responsible for datacenter, branch, and performance engineering, network management tools, and capacity planning.
An avid protocol analyst, Hansang collaborates with industry associations to educate public sector organizations and serves as a board member of the Wireshark Foundation, helping guide the open-source project and ensure its continued success.
Thank you for your interest! You can view the podcasts on these major platforms below:
Episode 12: "Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together," Zscaler & Vectra AI in the DoD
Episode 12: Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together 鈥� Zscaler & Vectra AI in the DoD
Episode twelve of the podcast, "Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together," Zscaler & Vectra AI in the DoD, features Robert Marcoux, Federal Principal Technologist at Vectra AI, for a discussion on why traditional perimeter-based security no longer works in a world dominated by remote users, cloud services, and SaaS, and how Zero Trust has become essential. They explore how AI-driven signal analysis cuts through data noise, helping resource-strained security teams detect threats faster and more accurately. The conversation also showcases how Vectra AI鈥檚 integration with Zscaler accelerates identity-centric detection and response, reducing MTTR by linking anomalous behavior directly to specific users and increasing visibility into attacks. Finally, the discussion emphasizes practical Zero Trust enforcement through a human-in-the-loop model, combining AI-powered context with analyst oversight to maintain resilience across federal, defense, and critical infrastructure environments.
Whether you're a tech enthusiast, cybersecurity professional, or just interested in better understanding Zero Trust in the defense landscape, this podcast will shed light on lessons learned and provide valuable insights from cybersecurity experts. Tune in today!
Our Hosts:
Senior Manager,
Sales Engineering,
Zscaler
Tom Tittermary is the Systems Engineering Manager at Zscaler for the DOD and Intelligence Community, as well as the strategic product development lead at Zscaler for Special Programs. Tom has over 20 years of experience in Federal IT and Cybersecurity, including running the Intelligence community engineering teams at Symantec and Veritas, as well as starting the engineering effort at Zscaler in their Federal Practice.
Account Executive,
Special Programs,
Zscaler
Tom Gianelos, originally a Meteorology graduate from Florida State University, transitioned to IT, managing a global satellite network. Tom became the Director of Network Engineering at a software company until September 2001, when he moved into Federal contracting. After 15 years, Tom then went to work at boutique FSIs, progressing into a Senior Sales Engineer role, and has spent the last 5 years as both an SE and AE at Zscaler.
Featured Speaker:
Federal Principal Technologist,
Vectra AI
Robert Marcoux is a Principal Security Architect with over 25 years of experience in Cybersecurity and Networking. Robert has been at Vectra since 2016. Prior to 2016, Robert鈥檚 work experience includes roles at Juniper Networks, Fortinet, Gigamon, USMC (MCNOSC), and the United States Navy.
Thank you for your interest! You can view the podcasts on these major platforms below:
Episode 13: Disconnected, Contested, and Secure: Zero Trust for the Tactical Edge
Episode 13: Disconnected, Contested, and Secure: Zero Trust for the Tactical Edge
In episode thirteen of Zero Trusts Given, Tom Tittermary sits down with Dr. Mark Taylor, Chief Innovation Officer at Sage Creek USA and former CTO of U.S. Special Operations Command, for a deep dive into what Zero Trust really means for the Department of Defense. The conversation unpacks the evolution from network centric security models to data centric Zero Trust architectures, with a particular focus on mission partner access, cross domain solutions, and data tagging and policy enforcement. Dr. Taylor shares hard won insights on why traditional network boundaries and CDSs often undermine true Zero Trust, and how identity, ICAM, and policy based access controls are critical to enabling secure information sharing across classifications and nations. The episode also explores the stark contrast between enterprise and tactical environments鈥攚here disconnected, contested operations demand resilient, local decision making鈥攁nd why commanders at the edge must retain authority to adapt security policies in real time. The result is a candid, practitioner level discussion on moving DoD Zero Trust from theory to mission impact, at the speed of need.
Whether you're a tech enthusiast, cybersecurity professional, or just interested in better understanding Zero Trust in tactical and enterprise defense environments, this podcast will shed light on lessons learned and provide valuable insights from cybersecurity experts. Tune in today!
Our Hosts:
Senior Manager,
Sales Engineering,
Zscaler
Tom Tittermary is the Systems Engineering Manager at Zscaler for the DOD and Intelligence Community, as well as the strategic product development lead at Zscaler for Special Programs. Tom has over 20 years of experience in Federal IT and Cybersecurity, including running the Intelligence community engineering teams at Symantec and Veritas, as well as starting the engineering effort at Zscaler in their Federal Practice.
Account Executive,
Special Programs,
Zscaler
Tom Gianelos, originally a Meteorology graduate from Florida State University, transitioned to IT, managing a global satellite network. Tom became the Director of Network Engineering at a software company until September 2001, when he moved into Federal contracting. After 15 years, Tom then went to work at boutique FSIs, progressing into a Senior Sales Engineer role, and has spent the last 5 years as both an SE and AE at Zscaler.
Featured Speaker:
Chief Innovation Officer,
Sage Creek USA
Dr. Cyril 鈥淢ark鈥� Taylor is a seasoned IT executive and former U.S. Army officer with over 25 years of experience in enterprise digital transformation. As the Chief Innovation Officer at Sage Creek USA, he drives initiatives to modernize and optimize enterprise architecture, enhance IT service management, improve governance, and elevate service delivery for customers. His key focus areas include multi-cloud strategy, data and AI integration, and human capital development.
Previously, Mark served as the Chief Technical Officer for the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM/J6), where he led the development of global hybrid and multi-cloud, data-centric enabled architectures, and established roadmaps for AI integration. He collaborated with industry leaders, academia, and government agencies to incubate innovative technologies and ensured robust cybersecurity measures. His prior roles at Microsoft, EMC, GDIT, and SMS involved supporting service delivery, architecture design, and sales.
Mark holds a Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Management and a Master of Science in Information Systems Technology from George Washington University, along with a Bachelor of Arts in History from the Virginia Military Institute. He actively contributes to the community as a board member of Warriors Ethos, advocating for veterans transitioning from service, and participates in the American Society of Engineering Management to advance the discipline of engineering management. His extensive background across enterprise technologies, military and civilian government service, vendor and contractor experience, and a strong educational foundation offers a comprehensive perspective on the evolving technology landscape.
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Episode 14: Zero Trust as a Journey: Lessons from General Robert Skinner
Episode 14: Zero Trust as a Journey: Lessons from General Robert Skinner
In this episode of Zero Trusts Given, host Tom Tittermary speaks with retired General Robert Skinner about the evolving role of Zero Trust across the Department of Defense. Drawing on decades of experience, Skinner emphasizes that Zero Trust is an ongoing journey鈥攏ot a fixed endpoint鈥攃entered on resilience, identity, and continuous improvement against adversaries. The conversation explores key trends like the growing importance of identity, the balance between standardized solutions such as Thunderdome and flexible architectures, and the expanding role of AI in both cyber defense and attack. They also highlight persistent challenges around data visibility, logging, and cultural barriers, underscoring that achieving true Zero Trust requires both technological advancement and a shift in mindset across the organization.
Our Hosts:
Senior Manager,
Sales Engineering,
Zscaler
Tom Tittermary is the Systems Engineering Manager at Zscaler for the DOD and Intelligence Community, as well as the strategic product development lead at Zscaler for Special Programs. Tom has over 20 years of experience in Federal IT and Cybersecurity, including running the Intelligence community engineering teams at Symantec and Veritas, as well as starting the engineering effort at Zscaler in their Federal Practice.
Account Executive,
Special Programs,
Zscaler
Tom Gianelos, originally a Meteorology graduate from Florida State University, transitioned to IT, managing a global satellite network. Tom became the Director of Network Engineering at a software company until September 2001, when he moved into Federal contracting. After 15 years, Tom then went to work at boutique FSIs, progressing into a Senior Sales Engineer role, and has spent the last 5 years as both an SE and AE at Zscaler.
Featured Speaker:
Founder,
Skinner鈥檚 Strategic Solutions
Lt. Gen. Robert J. Skinner is the former Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency and the Commander of the Joint Force Headquarters- Department of Defense Information Network, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.
As Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency, Lt. Gen. Skinner managed a global network and led nearly 19,000 service members, civilians and contractors who plan, develop, deliver and operate joint, interoperable command and control capabilities and defended an enterprise infrastructure in more than 42 countries. This mission directly supports the President, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, combatant commanders, U.S. Department of Defense components, and other mission partners across the spectrum of competition, combat and combat support operations.
As Commander of Joint Force Headquarters-Department of Defense Information Network, he was charged with leading unified action across DoD to secure, operate and defend the DoDIN. He led the establishment of DoDIN priorities and directed threat-informed actions through formal planning and future operational initiatives, as well as the command and control of daily unified network operations, cyber security actions and defensive operations on the DoDIN.
Lt. Gen. Skinner was commissioned through Officer Training School (second honor graduate) in 1989. He has served in various tactical and fixed communications assignments, plans, policy and resource staff work. He has commanded at the squadron, group, wing and Numbered Air Force levels and served on the staffs at a NAF, major command headquarters, Headquarters Air Force and the Joint Staff. Prior to assuming his current position, Lt. Gen. Skinner was the Director of Command, Control, Communications and Cyber at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii.
Thank you for your interest! You can view the podcasts on these major platforms below:
Episode 15: The Power of Zero Trust Ecosystems: Securing the Tactical Frontline
Episode 15: The Power of Zero Trust Ecosystems: Securing the Tactical Frontline
In this episode of Zero Trust Given, hosts Tom Tittermary and Tom Gianelos are joined by Okta's Tony Ardura and Bhagya Prabhakar to discuss how identity serves as the foundation of Zero Trust for the Department of Defense, particularly in disconnected, degraded, intermittent, and low-bandwidth (D-DIL) environments. The conversation explores how cloud-native identity and access controls can be extended to the tactical edge, enabling warfighters to securely access mission-critical applications and data even when connectivity is unavailable, while maintaining strong security, resilience, and operational agility. This episode also addresses mission partner access, fine-grained authorization, identity resiliency, and how organizations like Okta and Zscaler are working together to deliver scalable, secure, and mission-ready Zero Trust architectures for the modern battlefield and beyond.
Our Hosts:
Senior Manager,
Sales Engineering,
Zscaler
Tom Tittermary is the Systems Engineering Manager at Zscaler for the DOD and Intelligence Community, as well as the strategic product development lead at Zscaler for Special Programs. Tom has over 20 years of experience in Federal IT and Cybersecurity, including running the Intelligence community engineering teams at Symantec and Veritas, as well as starting the engineering effort at Zscaler in their Federal Practice.
Account Executive,
Special Programs,
Zscaler
Tom Gianelos, originally a Meteorology graduate from Florida State University, transitioned to IT, managing a global satellite network. Tom became the Director of Network Engineering at a software company until September 2001, when he moved into Federal contracting. After 15 years, Tom then went to work at boutique FSIs, progressing into a Senior Sales Engineer role, and has spent the last 5 years as both an SE and AE at Zscaler.
Featured Speakers:
Principal Solutions Engineer - US Federal,
Okta
Tony Ardura graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in computer science. He has spent his entire career supporting the entire U.S. Federal Government; although he has primarily focused on supporting the missions of the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Intelligence Community. Tony has served as a software developer, solutions engineer, and solutions architect for a variety of both GOTS and COTS solutions. His background is primarily in Identity, data governance, security, and software development.
Senior Product Manager,
Okta
Bhagya Prabhakar is a Senior Product Manager at Okta with extensive experience driving IAM solutions for the financial sector. She holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her expertise spans access policy strategy and change management, with a particular focus on simplifying organizational IAM transformations. She is currently focused on secure IAM operations for air-gapped and disconnected environments, serving both commercial and military use cases.
Thank you for your interest! You can view the podcasts on these major platforms below: