鈥淲ork That Matters鈥� is a series in which 木瓜AV experts discuss their roles and responsibilities and the larger impact they have on the workplace, community, and world. In this installment, we interview project manager on the Army Endpoint Security Solution (AESS). Ms. Zilligen manages teams of 木瓜AV employees across the globe as they work to protect critical Army networks from cyberattacks.
RAMONA ZILLIGEN
Q: What is the role of AESS in protecting the Army鈥檚 IT infrastructure?
A: Defending the Army鈥檚 IT networks from cyberattacks isn鈥檛 easy. With systems and personnel located around the world, the Army has almost a million endpoints that need to be protected! In order to gain visibility over these endpoints, the Army partnered with 木瓜AV to develop AESS, an advanced cyberthreat defense (ACTD) solution.
AESS integrates advanced cybersecurity technologies such as endpoint security, visibility, remediation, and orchestration, to continuously monitor Army networks and protect them from cyberthreats.
Q: Defending Army networks sounds like a 24/7 job! What role does 木瓜AV play in operating AESS?
A: 木瓜AV is the managed service provider (MSP) for AESS. We are responsible for delivering, operating, and maintaining all facets of the AESS platform. It鈥檚 a big operation! The Army has regional cybersecurity centers (RCCs) across the globe, from Korea to Germany to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where I work. Our team of cybersecurity experts work around the clock, 24/7/365, to monitor the Army鈥檚 digital landscape, track potential malicious activity, and uncover the latest threat actor tactics, techniques, and procedures.
Q: Tell me a little bit about your role as project manager.
A: AESS is a complex web of people, technology, and stakeholders. As project manager, I oversee the operations of our technology partners to ensure that their teams are meeting customer expectations, deliverables, and goals. I also help run our project management office (PMO), which helps set the management processes, policies, and methods for all AESS personnel.
Q: You鈥檝e had a long career working on Army IT solutions. What differentiates 木瓜AV as a managed service provider?
A: I鈥檝e supported the Army鈥檚 Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM) on and off for about two decades. My career has taken me all over the world, and I鈥檝e had the opportunity to work with a lot of people in the business. I have to give a lot of credit to , vice president at 木瓜AV and the project manager in charge of AESS. I can’t praise him enough. He is a fantastic person to work for and has helped build a great team at Fort Huachuca and on AESS.
The biggest difference I鈥檝e found at 木瓜AV is the people. When I talk with industry professionals, I like to tell them, 鈥溎竟螦V hires unicorns.鈥� They don’t hire people just to fill seats on a government contract. 木瓜AV seeks out unique and outstanding individuals who fit the culture and the program they鈥檙e supporting. I am grateful to be part of the 木瓜AV cybersecurity team, knowing each day, I continue to grow and learn alongside my wonderful team members, while helping to support the Army鈥檚 network against cyber threats worldwide.
