Michael Lees
- Program Specialist, UAS Security Branch
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Michael Lees has worked for the Federal Government for over 12 years in both a military and civilian capacity. He is currently a Program Specialist for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Security Branch in CISA’s Infrastructure Security Division, where he serves as the team lead for the UAS Cybersecurity Line of Effort. In this role, Michael works to protect UAS operated by critical infrastructure, federal agencies, and SLTT from cybersecurity threats, and to identify and mitigate UAS-specific cyberattack threat vectors. Prior to his current position, Michael most recently supported Idaho National Laboratory’s ROUNDS (Remote-Operable Unmanned Navigation of Drones) program where he assisted in the development of technology that enables sUAS to autonomously navigate complex indoor industrial environments without the use of a GPS signal. Prior to this, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard as an active-duty Petty Officer for 11 years. In this capacity he worked to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure and was involved in the Coast Guard’s Group 1 UAS Prototype Program Initiative (GUPPI), where he conducted and evaluated a variety of operational sUAS missions and trained other remote pilots for the program. Michael holds a Master of Science degree in information systems from, a bachelor’s degree in Technical Management DeVry University, and a FAA Part 107 Remote UAS Pilot Certification. He is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in disaster management.
Sessions
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Cybersecurity and AI – Best Practice and Minimum Standards
The threat of cyber-attacks by state actors and hacktivists, such as criminals and malicious rogue players, grows ever higher to cause disruption to our infrastructures, how do we assess and prioritise these risks and threats to better build cyber resilience? What role can AI play, and as a potential threat in itself, how do we regulate AI to build trust in its development and use? How can we report incidents for the benefit of everyone to better understand these threats?
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Emerging Threats against CI
This session reviews the dynamic landscape of threats against CI, which include climate, terrorism, insider threats, and cyberattacks including the emerging challenges asserted by AI, which necessitate a proactive approach to security. To effectively address these emerging challenges, it is crucial to identify, monitor, and assess their potential impact. By continuously reviewing and updating policies, practices, and technologies, organizations can enhance their resilience and mitigate risks.