As the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for US Customs and Border Protection, Alma R. Cole is responsible for all aspects of the CBP Cybersecurity program, including security architecture, risk management, policy compliance, and defensive operations. Prior experience includes leading DHS-wide incident response efforts as the Director of the DHS Security Operations Center (SOC), and experience leading cybersecurity consulting engagements in the private sector. Mr. Cole received his Master of Business Administration degree, with an emphasis in Information Assurance, through the National Science Foundation Cyber Corps Scholarship for Service program at Idaho State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems from Utah State University. He also holds numerous industry certifications, including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Enterprise Architect, EA Center of Excellence (EACOE).