Resilience Welcomes Colonel Judson C. Dressler to Lead Risk Operations Center

Resilience Bolsters Cyber Risk Defense with Expert Leadership

In a significant move to enhance its capabilities in counteracting cyber threats, Resilience has officially appointed Colonel Judson C. Dressler, Retired, to lead its newly established Risk Operations Center (ROC). This initiative marks a step forward in the evaluation and mitigation of cyber risks, a growing concern in today’s digital landscape.

Dressler, who recently concluded a distinguished 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force, brings a wealth of experience to the table. His tenure included the role of Permanent Professor and Head of Computer and Cyber Sciences at the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he contributed to the education of over 1,200 cadets annually while conducting extensive research in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Additionally, he served as the Commander of the 835th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, leading teams focused on intelligence-driven cyberspace defense.

"The complexity of today’s threat landscape cannot be overstated. Cyber adversaries are evolving rapidly due to advances in artificial intelligence and other technologies," Dressler stated regarding his new role. He emphasized that merely responding to these threats is insufficient to prevent financial and reputational harm to organizations. Instead, proactive measures are essential, which is precisely the ethos behind the ROC at Resilience.

The ROC is a pioneering initiative in the industry, designed to serve as a hub for risk intelligence and threat-hunting strategies. Dressler’s vision for the center is to apply military precision and practices to corporate security operations, facilitating effective communication and rapid response to potential threats. This proactive approach aims to alert clients to emerging risks and provide the necessary data for informed decision-making.

One notable example of the ROC’s operational efficiency occurred in 2024 when Palo Alto Networks alerted the industry to a critical vulnerability in its software. Utilizing its extensive client security data, the ROC was able to proactively inform clients who were at risk but had yet to be made aware of the issue, effectively mitigating potential losses projected at $81 million. Furthermore, when PowerSchool faced a security breach through a third-party vendor, the ROC’s intelligence sharing among teams led to more informed risk assessments for clients impacted by the incident.

Resilience’s ROC operates on a dual strategy: it keeps clients one step ahead by pinpointing threats before they can be executed, and simultaneously it enhances the underwriting process through informed decision-making. By breaking down information silos and fostering effective communication between security and risk teams, Resilience empowers its clients to act before threats escalate into financial losses.

Vishaal Hariprasad, CEO of Resilience, praised Dressler's extensive expertise, reinforcing his belief that Dressler is perfectly positioned to lead the ROC. The organization has designed the ROC to mirror an Air Operations Center, leveraging diverse expertise to converge on a shared intelligence objective.

In addition to its proactive risk management services, the ROC’s excellence has been acknowledged with recognition in the Security Intelligence category at the prestigious CSO Awards. Ann Irvine, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Resilience, highlighted the ROC’s role in actively seeking out threats and delivering actionable intelligence to clients.

As the world grapples with increasing cyber threats, Resilience aims to transform how organizations manage and mitigate these risks. With Colonel Judson Dressler at the helm of the Risk Operations Center, Resilience is poised to set new standards in the industry for cybersecurity resilience.

For more insights and updates about Resilience and its innovative approaches, you can visit their official website at cyberresilience.com.