Bill Malone on Leadership, Cybersecurity Evolution, and Protecting the Defense Mission

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In this episode of Mission: Cyber, host Emil Sayegh sits down with Bill Malone, President of Coalfire Federal, to explore the leadership journey behind a nearly four-decade career spanning the U.S. Navy, national security, government services, and cybersecurity. 

Bill shares how his early experiences as a naval officer shaped his leadership philosophy, the mentors who influenced his career, and the lessons he learned while navigating the evolution of cybersecurity. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• How military service shaped Bill’s approach to leadership, decision-making, and developing teams
• The importance of listening, mentorship, and continuous learning as a leader
• The evolution of cybersecurity from an IT function to a board-level business risk
• How Coalfire Federal became involved in CMMC and the opportunity to help strengthen the Defense Industrial Base
• The vision behind the CMMC Partner Assurance Network (CPAN) and how trusted partnerships can help organizations navigate compliance challenges
• The future of cybersecurity, including the shift from “clipboards to code” and the role of automation and AI in continuous compliance 

Cybersecurity is no longer simply a technology challenge. It’s a leadership responsibility. 

Listen to the full episode and subscribe for future conversations with the leaders shaping cybersecurity.