These trailblazers who have shaped cybersecurity’s future were honored at a gala induction ceremony at the Maryland Live Casino and Hotel in Hanover
The Cyber Security Hall of Fame, whose motto is “Respect the Past – Protect the Future”, inducted seven new members into the organization who have made significant contributions across cyber technology, business, education, government, and innovation, shaping the future of cybersecurity.
The new members were inducted at a sold-out gala celebration of about 275 guests at the Maryland Live Casino and Hotel. The honorees included:
- Admiral Michael Rogers, Former commander of the United States Cyber Command and the 17th director of the National Security Agency.
- Edna Conway, Board Director, Executive Advisor, ICT & Cloud Technology Executive, and IANS Faculty Member.
- Dr. Paul Nielsen, Director and CEO at Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute.
- James Roskind, Vice President and Distinguished Engineer at Amazon.
- Robert Rodriguez, Chairman & Founder of SINET
- Heather Rodriguez, CEO of SINET
- Alan Paller, Founder of the SANS Institute (in memoriam).
“We are thrilled to recognize these cyber security luminaries for their innovation and dedication to protecting and enhancing the security of all Americans,” said Larry Letow, Co-Founder and Chairperson of The Cyber Security Hall of Fame. “We honor their remarkable leadership and innovation, which inspires the next generation of cyber professionals to continue expanding the boundaries of what’s possible in this vital field.”
The event was keynoted by Will Farrell, Security Officer for TikTok U.S. Data Security, who said cybersecurity is “now one of the most critical disciplines in the world that keeps us all safe, and yet it’s not something that you can master once. It is a lifelong pursuit of learning, adapting, and evolving.”
“Cyber security is not an individual sport, it’s a team effort, providing collaboration across academia, government, and industry,” Farrell continued. “This community in the room tonight is the cornerstone of our success together. We’re not just defending systems and technology, we’re defending, trust, innovation, and the foundations of our digital world.”
Proceeds from the event go to Loyola Blakefield High School – Cyber Security Program.
About The Cyber Security Hall of Fame
Founded in 2012 by Larry Letow and Rick Geritz, the Cyber Security Hall of Fame recognizes global leaders who have demonstrated excellence in technology, education, business, policy, and public awareness within the cybersecurity industry. The Hall of Fame aims to inspire future generations of cybersecurity professionals by honoring those whose achievements have shaped the field.
