Virginia’s defense and space sector is home to some of the nation’s most security-intensive organizations, supporting military operations, intelligence programs, and government research across classified and unclassified environments. Cybersecurity leaders in this industry operate under some of the most rigorous compliance frameworks in existence, including CMMC, RMF, and DFARS, while protecting systems that underpin national security missions.
The professionals below represent cybersecurity leadership helping shape security strategy across Virginia’s defense and space industry.
Landon Carlson — Chief Information Security Officer, Metron Inc.
Landon Carlson serves as Chief Information Security Officer at Metron Inc., a Reston-based scientific and defense analytics firm supporting decision superiority, mission autonomy, and sensor fusion programs. His background spans information security compliance and engineering roles across defense contractors including UltiSat, Integrated Data Services, and TriSept Corporation, with deep expertise in NIST 800-53, CMMC, and RMF frameworks across classified government environments.
Michael Kinney — Chief Information Security Officer, Systems Planning and Analysis
Michael Kinney serves as Chief Information Security Officer at Systems Planning and Analysis, where he leads cybersecurity strategy and governance across classified and unclassified systems supporting more than 2,600 users worldwide, including international operations in Australia and the UK. A CISSP with more than 15 years of experience, his background includes cybersecurity roles at Perspecta, Herren Associates, Dell Federal Solutions, and the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves.
Kenn Gregory — Chief Information Security Officer, Raytheon IIS
Kenn Gregory serves as Chief Information Security Officer at Raytheon IIS, where he leads the IT security team responsible for improving security posture across systems supporting defense programs. His work focuses on compliance with DFARS and DoD cybersecurity requirements, CMMC planning, and NIST-based security controls, while mentoring security team members and collaborating with enterprise leadership on security priorities and program implementation.
Kenneth McMahon — Chief Information Security Officer & Chief Technology Officer, Phoenix Group of Virginia
Kenneth McMahon serves as Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Technology Officer at Phoenix Group of Virginia, where he has led technology strategy and security operations for nearly two decades. His responsibilities span network infrastructure, information systems governance, vendor negotiations, and the oversight of IT and cybersecurity staff supporting the organization’s defense-focused operations.
Andrew McDermott — DHMSM Chief Information Security Officer, Leidos
Andrew McDermott serves as Chief Information Security Officer for the Defense Health Management System Modernization program at Leidos, where he leads cybersecurity strategy for one of the Department of Defense’s largest healthcare IT programs. He previously served as Chief Cybersecurity Architect for the same program and brings additional experience from security engineering roles at SAIC and a compliance architecture role at Amazon Web Services.
Cybersecurity Leadership Across Virginia’s Defense & Space Sector
Virginia’s defense and space organizations operate at the intersection of national security and technological innovation, where protecting classified systems and maintaining compliance with government frameworks are central to every security program. The leaders featured here reflect the depth of expertise required to secure some of the most sensitive and mission-critical environments in the country.
Financial institutions and defense contractors share many of the same pressures around compliance, risk management, and operational resilience. Explore how security leaders navigate those challenges in Cybersecurity Leaders to Watch in Virginia’s Banking Industry.