Software Engineering Institute

November 4, 2022—Gregory J. Touhill, director of the Software Engineering Institute CERT Division, recently was recognized for his service to the country as the recipient of the third annual General Michael V. Hayden Lifetime Achievement Award for Public Service. The award was presented at the 13th annual Billington CyberSecurity Summit in Washington, D.C.

The summit annually convenes visionaries and leaders in cybersecurity to address the nation’s pressing cyber needs, such as election security, securing critical infrastructure, disruptive technologies, and growing the cyber workforce. The award announcement recognized Touhill’s long career serving and protecting the United States, including his current role leading the CERT Division, which is known for its culture of cyber innovation. The award is presented by retired General Michael Hayden, who served the nation during a long and distinguished Air Force career, which included appointments as director of the National Security Agency and director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

“We are especially pleased to see Greg receive this recognition for his lifelong dedication to serving our nation,” said Paul Nielsen, director and CEO of the SEI. “It is a privilege to count him as a friend and colleague at the SEI, where he and other committed staff members continue to deliver new and enhanced capabilities in software, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.”

As director of the SEI’s world-renowned CERT Division, Touhill leads a diverse group of researchers, software engineers, security analysts, and digital intelligence specialists to research security vulnerabilities, contribute to long-term changes in networked systems, and develop cutting-edge information and training to improve the practice of cybersecurity.

“I’m honored and humbled to receive this recognition from General Hayden, himself a Pittsburgh native and Air Force veteran who devoted a lifetime of service to the nation,” said Touhill. “Although it credits me for a lifetime of service, I am committed to continuing that service by advancing software and cybersecurity as a strategic advantage for national security and national prosperity through my work as a member of the Software Engineering Institute team.”

Touhill was appointed by former President Barack Obama to be the first chief information security officer (CISO) of the United States government. Previously, he served in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as deputy assistant secretary in the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications. Before joining the Software Engineering Institute, he was president of Appgate Federal, a provider of cybersecurity products and services to civilian government and defense agencies.

A 30-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Touhill was an operational commander and a senior leader of military cybersecurity and information technology programs. A combat veteran, he is the recipient of numerous awards and decorations including the Bronze Star medal and the Air Force Science and Engineering Achievement Award. He retired from the Air Force with the rank of brigadier general.

He is an adjunct faculty member of the CMU Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy and the Deakin University (Australia) Centre for Cybersecurity Research and Innovation. A member of many organizational boards and committees and recipient of many awards, Touhill was recognized by Security Magazine as one of its Most Influential People in Security and by Federal Computer Week in the Federal 100. He is the recipient of the 2022 Baldrige Leadership Award in Cybersecurity. He is the co-author of the books Cybersecurity for Executives: A Practical Guide and Commercialization of Innovative Technologies.