Cyberstar Integrates Cybersecurity Expertise with New Board Advisor Dr. Daniel Ragsdale

A New Era for Cyber Workforce Development

Cybersecurity remains a top priority for organizations globally, particularly within defense and federal sectors. In a recent development that emphasizes the importance of this field, Cyberstar, a leader in cyber workforce management, announced the addition of Dr. Daniel "Rags" Ragsdale to its Board of Advisors. Dr. Ragsdale's extensive background, comprising over four decades of experience, positions him uniquely to contribute to the mission of improving cyber workforce readiness across the nation.

Profile of Expertise

Dr. Ragsdale's career spans multiple crucial roles, including his most recent service as Deputy Assistant National Cyber Director at the White House. Here, he spearheaded the execution of the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy, a groundbreaking initiative that has already influenced over $100 billion in federal contracting. Additionally, this strategy had a significant impact on job creation, leading to over 35,000 new positions within the cybersecurity sector. His previous roles include serving as Principal Director for Cyber at the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and managing programs at DARPA.

Military and Academic Accomplishments

A proud combat veteran of Grenada, Afghanistan, and Iraq, Dr. Ragsdale retired after 34 years in the Army, leaving a legacy of dedication and leadership. He is a recipient of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service, further solidifying his contributions to national defense. Beyond his military service, he has also served as Vice Dean for Education at West Point, showcasing his commitment to shaping the next generation of leaders in defense and cybersecurity.

Vision for Cyberstar

At Cyberstar, there is a clear understanding that a ready cyber workforce is vital for national security. Marling Engle, CEO of Cyberstar, emphasized, "Rags has been in that room where major workforce policy is shaped. His insights are invaluable to us, especially as we work towards building the infrastructure defense organizations need."

Dr. Ragsdale echoed this sentiment, stating, "My agreement to join Cyberstar was driven by the mission. The need for a robust cyber workforce is critical. However, mere readiness tracking isn’t enough. Cyberstar is developing a comprehensive talent management system that aids organizations in the crucial areas of finding, growing, placing, and retaining cyber talent."

A Commitment to Dynamic Readiness

The changing landscape of threats faced by defense organizations necessitates more than just static reporting of cybersecurity measures. Organizations are mandated to evolve continuously, adapting to new mission requirements and operational challenges. Dr. Ragsdale’s appointment aligns with Cyberstar’s strategy to enhance cyber workforce dynamics, moving towards capability-based tracking rather than relying on traditional compliance snapshots.

Looking Ahead

This appointment marks a significant step in Cyberstar's commitment to assembling an expert Board of Advisors, each selected for their profound operational experience at the critical intersection of defense policy and cyber workforce implementation. As federal and defense organizations face increasing pressures to improve their workforce readiness, Cyberstar is poised to deliver innovative solutions that reflect this acute need.

For those looking to stay up-to-date on Cyberstar's initiatives or to discover how these changes impact the wider cyber workforce landscape, visiting cyberstar.com is a great starting point.

About Cyberstar

Cyberstar is a dedicated cyber workforce management platform tailored specifically for the Defense Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF) and DoDM 8140.03. With over two decades of experience supporting defense and federal cyber programs, Cyberstar is at the forefront of providing real-time qualification tracking, automated verification, and insightful workforce analytics. Their pioneering solutions replace outdated manual tracking methods, offering a single source of truth that promotes operational readiness far beyond just compliance.