Ken Orwig

Ken is an independent consultant, a retired Cyber Defense Warrant Officer, an adjunct college professor, and the previous head of security & compliance for Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW) with almost two decades of total security experience in both offensive and defensive cybersecurity roles ranging from the battlefield to the boardroom. 

​

In his current role, Ken presides over the enterprise cybersecurity concerns of a global retailer and builder of brands.  His innovative approach to cybersecurity focuses on visibility and threat-hunting over prevention, a topic he discussed at length in an interview with CDO Magazine at the GPSEC Summit in 2022.  

 

“Fences are great for security, but watchtowers and well-trained guards are better.  This is as true for Cybersecurity as it is for physical security.  Have a fence, but expect it to be cut - often“.

​

Some of Ken’s achievements are a matter of public record.  In 2016, CNN reported on Ken and his military unit for contributing to the electronic security of the 2016 Presidential election in Ohio via a penetration test and vulnerability assessment of the Ohio Board of Elections at the request of John Husted.  The success of Ken and his team is evidenced by an independent Department of Homeland Security report concerning the unvarnished integrity of Ohio’s election system.   

​

Ken has also been awarded the Bronze Star Medal during Operation Iraqi Freedom for revolutionizing combat zone operations using Information Technology and data analysis.  His efforts resulted in reduced reaction time, fewer injuries to soldiers and civilians, and better planning through improved analytics. Ken has deployed multiple times with the 148th Infantry Regiment, 612th Engineer Battalion, and 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Kansas.

 

Ken has a hunger for knowledge above and beyond his passion for information security.  He routinely challenges himself to learn new skills across a wide array of disciplines and encourages his students to do the same.  

​

Ken has completed numerous industry certifications with an emphasis on security and now teaches the certification curriculum of several. He has also earned 4 SANS challenge coins for winning multiple head-to-head cyber competitions against his peers. (AUD 507, FOR 500, SEC 503, and SEC 504).