Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
It is not just what we do that defines us, but how we do it.
The Cyber Defense Center is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to operating with integrity, accountability, and transparency in everything we do. We believe trust is earned through actions, not promises, and that organizations entrusted with serving communities must hold themselves to the highest standards of ethical conduct.
Our corporate responsibility model is embraced by our leadership, governing bodies, members, beneficiaries, partners, and volunteers. It serves as the foundation for our decision-making, stewardship, and mission delivery.
These principles are embodied within a living Ethics and Responsibility Agreement that guides our conduct, reinforces our commitment to transparency, and helps ensure that every action we take advances our mission of collective defense.
We invite you to review the core tenets that shape our organization and define our commitment to those we serve.
Trust. Transparency. Collective Defense.
TRUST THROUGH TRANSPARENCY
A Different Consulting Model
Unlike traditional consulting firms that rely on opaque billing structures, layered staffing models, and significant overhead costs, the Cyber Defense Center operates on a transparent cost-plus model designed to maximize value while supporting our charitable mission.
Talent for Less
Our clients gain direct access to experienced practitioners, researchers, instructors, and industry experts without paying for unnecessary layers of management, sales organizations, or excessive overhead. This approach allows organizations to receive high-quality cyber defense services while helping us expand collective defense resources for underserved communities.
What This Means For Our Clients
Trust. Transparency. Collective Defense.
- Transparent pricing
- Direct access to experienced experts
- Reduced consulting overhead
- Greater value per engagement dollar
- Community impact through charitable reinvestment
core tenets
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE WITH EXCELLENCE
EXECUTIVE BOARD
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
ASCEND COMMITTEE
The Executive Board represents the fiduciaries of the CYBER DEFENSE CENTER. This Board includes a Chairperson, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Corporate Secretary that govern the corporation. The remainder of the corporation is governed by committee. Some committees have a vote on the Executive Board. The Executive Director reports directly to the Executive Board.
ASCEND COMMITTEE
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
ASCEND COMMITTEE
The ASCEND Advisory Committee reports to the Executive Board and is comprised of workforce development partners including universities, corporate sponsors, protection partners, and other community outreach professionals with a desire to revolutionize cyber defense. Members of this Board oversee scholarships and partnerships. The Chair of
The ASCEND Advisory Committee reports to the Executive Board and is comprised of workforce development partners including universities, corporate sponsors, protection partners, and other community outreach professionals with a desire to revolutionize cyber defense. Members of this Board oversee scholarships and partnerships. The Chair of the ASCEND Committee is a voting member on the Executive Board.
DEFEND COMMITTEE
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
The DEFEND Advisory Committee reports to the Executive Board and is comprised community partners including corporate sponsors (not beneficiaries), protection partners, and other community outreach professionals with a desire to revolutionize cyber defense. Members of this Board oversee the program and partnerships. The Chair of the DEFEND Committee is a voting member on the Executive Board.
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
The GOVERNANCE Advisory Committee reports to the Executive Board and is comprised of community representatives and leaders that advise the Executive Board on strategy and corporate operational improvements. This Committee plays a vital role in setting the direction of the organization. The GOVERNANCE committee does not have voting right
The GOVERNANCE Advisory Committee reports to the Executive Board and is comprised of community representatives and leaders that advise the Executive Board on strategy and corporate operational improvements. This Committee plays a vital role in setting the direction of the organization. The GOVERNANCE committee does not have voting rights on the Executive Board to maintain segregation of duties between strategic advisers and the corporate Board.
SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE
SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE
SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE
The SERVICES Advisory Committee reports to the DEFEND Committee and acts as a steering committee for the WARTIME READINESS, ASSURANCE, INTELLIGENCE, and RESPONSE services offered by the CYBER DEFENSE CENTER. This subcommittee is chartered by the DEFEND Committee to provide more direct oversight of these critical service offerings. The SE
The SERVICES Advisory Committee reports to the DEFEND Committee and acts as a steering committee for the WARTIME READINESS, ASSURANCE, INTELLIGENCE, and RESPONSE services offered by the CYBER DEFENSE CENTER. This subcommittee is chartered by the DEFEND Committee to provide more direct oversight of these critical service offerings. The SERVICES committee has up to 3 voting seats on the DEFEND Committee but does not have voting rights on the Executive Board.
RESEARCH COMMITTEE
SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE
SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE
The RESEARCH Advisory Committee reports to the Executive Board and is comprised fellows, researchers, scientists, and engineers chartered to provide initiation and oversight of research grants with the Department of Energy or National Science Foundation. Members of this Committee oversee grant related projects to ensure grant filings, re
The RESEARCH Advisory Committee reports to the Executive Board and is comprised fellows, researchers, scientists, and engineers chartered to provide initiation and oversight of research grants with the Department of Energy or National Science Foundation. Members of this Committee oversee grant related projects to ensure grant filings, representations, and financials are managed appropriately. The Chair of the RESEARCH Committee is a voting member on the Executive Board.
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
The CERTIFY Advisory Committee reports to the Executive Board and is comprised of active and certified Cyber Defense Experts and instructors. Members of this Board oversee certification acceptance, testing, continuous learning requirements, instructor approvals, partnerships, fees, and adjudication of issues. The Chair of the CERTIFY Committee is a voting member on the Executive Board.
PARTNER COMMITTEE
SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
The PARTNER Advisory Committee reports to the Executive Board and acts as a steering committee for onboarding and managing partners for the CYBER DEFENSE CENTER. This subcommittee is chartered by the Executive Board to ensure ASCEND (APP), DEFEND (DPP), and Master Certified Protection Partners (MCPP) standards and work meets the CYBER D
The PARTNER Advisory Committee reports to the Executive Board and acts as a steering committee for onboarding and managing partners for the CYBER DEFENSE CENTER. This subcommittee is chartered by the Executive Board to ensure ASCEND (APP), DEFEND (DPP), and Master Certified Protection Partners (MCPP) standards and work meets the CYBER DEFENSE CENTER Partnership agreements as set forth to serve the community as intended. The Chair of the PARTNER Committee is a voting member on the Executive Board.
EXECUTIVE BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS
CHAIR | EXECUTIVE BOARD
Erin Patrick Owens is the founder and Executive Director for the CYBER DEFENSE CENTER. Mr. Owens modeled the CYBER DEFENSE CENTER based on other public/private sector partnerships that he has founded, led, or participated in. Mr. Owens is a nationally recognized cyber defense leader and strategist with twenty years real world cyber security experience spanning several companies and industries. He has served as the top security leader (CISO) for 13 companies and has successfully delivered nearly 100 security transformation projects including deploying automation systems, operationalizing security initiatives that detect, prevent, and respond to active and potential cyber threats, and responding to major security incidents.
Through the CYBER DEFENSE CENTER and his personal career, he has actively responded to some of the largest breach and fraud cases in recent history and also frequently speaks at national hacking and security conferences on new and innovative ways to defend private sector networks. His security leadership philosophies focus on innovating programs through enablement, empowerment, and value driven programs.
In his tenure with the CYBER DEFENSE CENTER, he has developed many of the battle tested approaches that are now used by the CYBER DEFENSE CENTER services and programs to achieve value in security, balanced security models, reference architectures, and an intelligence driven defense posture.
