Welcome to Austin ISSA!

Vern is an experienced leader and security professional who has over 20 years of demonstrated performance in the IT and security arena, 20 years driving nuclear submarines for the US Navy and qualified as a

Navy Nuclear Engineer. Graduated from the US Naval Academy with a degree in Oceanography and before retiring obtained a Master’s of Science in Information Systems followed by teaching at the master’s level at Hawaii Pacific University and undergrad level at the Naval Academy. A strong supporter of security education through conferences, starting the Texas Regional Infrastructure Security Conference in 2005, and as lead instructor and initiator of a CISSP class at Austin Community College for nearly 15 years. Active in volunteer leadership as Director of Operations for ISSA International, Chapter President of the Capitol of Texas ISSA chapter, Chair of the local ASIS chapter and Director of Membership for the Austin InfraGard chapter. Frequent speaker for local ISSA chapters, Keynote for the ISA Bluebonnet conference and many other speaking and teaching events including RSA, Department of Veterans Affairs, SANS, ISACA, IIA, InfraGard and a founder and Steering Committee member for the first annual ISO27000, Summit of the Americas. He is currently the Chief Federal CyberSecurity Architect at Dell EMC.

Vern is an ISSA Distinguished Fellow and leader in the security profession. Dedicated to continual learning and improvement applied to securing assets. Seeking to help other join the profession and succeed.