Experiences

Strengthening Defense Cybersecurity: A Community Listening Session with the Honorable Kirsten Davies

Event Overview

Join World Wide Technology for a community listening session with the Honorable Kirsten A. Davies, Chief Information Officer of the U.S. Department of War. Following the suspension of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Phase II requirements, the Department has begun a comprehensive review of the program. This session will provide the cybersecurity community with a direct opportunity to share practical feedback on where CMMC is working, where it may be creating unintended barriers, and what considerations should inform the Department’s review as it works to strengthen security while supporting speed, innovation and a more diverse supplier ecosystem. Hon. Davies will provide opening remarks, followed by a moderated listening session designed to gather perspectives and practical feedback from across the defense industrial base and cybersecurity community. Registration is limited and subject to confirmation.

The Honorable Kirsten A. Davies

U.S. Department of War

Chief Information Officer

The Honorable Kirsten A. Davies is Chief Information Officer of the U.S. Department of War, advising the Secretary of War on IT, cybersecurity and ...
Kate Kuehn

National Technology Security Coalition (NTSC)

CISO -in-Residence

Kate Kuehn leads Global Cyber Advocacy at World Wide Technology and brings more than 25 years of experience leading and advising cybersecurity, tec...

What to expect

This invitation-only session will provide participants with the opportunity to:
  • Hear opening perspectives from Hon. Davies on the Department’s CMMC review
  • Provide practical feedback on how CMMC affects organizations across the defense industrial base
  • Discuss where compliance requirements may create barriers for small, medium-sized and nontraditional suppliers
  • Explore how CMMC can balance rigorous cybersecurity with speed, scalability and operational resilience
  • Consider how AI and other emerging technologies should factor into the Department’s review
  • Engage directly with government and industry leaders in a constructive dialogue about defense cybersecurity

Goals and Objectives

This session is intended to create a candid, constructive forum for the Department to hear directly from the cybersecurity community and defense industrial base. The discussion will focus on identifying practical opportunities to strengthen CMMC, reduce unnecessary compliance burdens and ensure the program remains responsive to an evolving technology and threat landscape.

Who should attend?

This invitation-only event is designed for: - Defense industrial base executives and cybersecurity leaders - Prime contractors, subcontractors and nontraditional defense suppliers - Small and medium-sized businesses participating in or seeking to enter the defense ecosystem - CISOs, CIOs and senior technology, risk and compliance professionals - Leaders responsible for federal acquisition, supply-chain security and CMMC readiness