Former CISA and DHS Leader Bryan Ware Joins Octo’s Board of Directors

New BOD member brings extensive cybersecurity, IT, business, operations, investment, strategy, and Federal Government expertise to Octo.

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Octo today announced the addition of Bryan Ware to its Board of Directors. Ware is a highly regarded technology leader and innovator, having started companies, patented technologies, raised venture capital and private equity, and recently served as the nation’s lead cybersecurity executive at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Ware was the first Presidentially appointed Director of Cybersecurity at CISA, leading the 1,000-person, $1.25 billion organization through a period of intense volatility and aggressive interference from Nationstate adversaries. At CISA, he developed the agency’s first five-year strategy and plan to modernize its sensor and computing infrastructure, transform the way the agency delivers services, and scale the agency to protect U.S. critical infrastructure. Under his leadership, CISA’s operational partnerships with the private sector, national security community, and international partners were significantly enhanced.

Prior to his operational role at CISA, Bryan was an Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), serving as the Secretary’s advisor on cybersecurity and emerging technology matters, and leading strategic initiatives across the Federal Government and allies to counter espionage and unfair business practices.

With a focus on technology strategy and leadership, Ware will work closely with Octo’s Chief Technology Officer Sujey Edward. “Bryan brings with him a wealth of technical, business, and government expertise that will empower us to carry Octo to the next level,” said Edward. “Octo has never been a traditional company. We’ve always leaned forward to help our customers get ahead in the race to provide the very best technologies that work in favor of agencies and the public they impact. With Bryan’s insights, we’ll be positioned to carry missions further. We’ll continue to ensure the right technology and people are in place to prevent and mitigate the kind of cyber breaches and risks we hear about every day. And that translates to a stronger, more secure nation.”

Ware is CEO of Next5, a technology-focused business intelligence company, ensuring U.S. leadership in critical and emerging technologies including AI, quantum, space, bio, and more. Prior to founding Next5, Ware co-founded an artificial intelligence company which he led as CEO through multiple rounds of venture capital investment until it was acquired in 2013 by Haystax. After serving as CTO of Haystax for several years during which he helped the company acquire leading cloud technology and cybersecurity companies, he took over as CEO of Haystax in 2016 until its acquisition in 2018.

“Having Bryan on our Board of Directors is a boon to our ability to bring emerging tech with strong cybersecurity, IT, and business innovations to our customers across the Federal Government marketplace,” stated Octo’s CEO Mehul Sanghani. “His history with and understanding of the inner workings of CISA and DHS, along with his entrepreneurial spirit, align perfectly with Octo’s goals, growth trajectory, and culture. We’re thrilled to have him join our board.”

Ware began his professional career at leading defense contractors working on advanced technology programs like the Star Wars program and immersive simulations. He serves on the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Cybersecurity and as an advisor to technology companies and investors.

About Octo

Octo is a technology firm dedicated to solving the Federal Government’s most complex challenges, enabling agencies to jump the technology curve. We don’t just modernize. We create lasting change through best practices that help agencies implement and integrate at-scale next-generation technology and innovation. With a mission and service first mentality, we provide Agile, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, Cloud, Open Source, and Data Science solutions, collaborating to solve customers’ pressing problems. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Octo delivers proven technology vital to the intelligence community and health care, defense, national security, and civilian agencies that directly impact our nation. Visit octoconsulting.com.