KippsDeSanto Announces Formation of CyberSecurity & Intelligence Advisory Council

Defense and
technology investment bank KippsDeSanto
& Co. announced the formation of its CyberSecurity & Intelligence
Advisory Council (CIAC) last week at an exclusive event the firm hosted for leading
industry executives at the Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner, Virginia.  The CIAC’s mission is to provide strategic
advice and analysis to KippsDeSanto clients across the CyberSecurity and
Intelligence markets.

Accepting
appointments as the founding members of KippsDeSanto’s CIAC are William Crowell
and Alan Wade.  Both executives have had
long and distinguished careers working in government agencies at the forefront
of protecting our nation from security attacks, as well as active roles in the
technology community.

Bob Kipps,
Co-Founder and Managing Director of KippsDesanto, said, “The CIAC is an
extension of KippsDeSanto’s continued focus on the CyberSecurity and Intelligence
markets and affords our clients and our firm unique perspectives and
understanding of the critical challenges facing our nation as it defends itself
against security threats.  The
KippsDeSanto CIAC is yet another differentiator for our firm in providing depth
of resources and expertise to enable our technology clients to achieve their
strategic objectives.”

William
Crowell is nationally renowned for his IT, Security and Intelligence Systems
leadership and experience.  He has held various senior positions within the National
Security Agency, including Deputy Director of the Agency and Deputy Director of
Operations.  He has also served as
President and CEO of Cylink Corporation from 1998 to 2003, and currently holds
various leadership, director and advisory positions for a host of public and
private companies as well as U.S. Government Agencies. 

Alan Wade
served as the Chief Information Officer of both the Central Intelligence Agency
and the United States Intelligence Community. 
Additionally, he held a series of senior positions, including Director
of Security, at the CIA.  Mr. Wade
remains active in the technology community as a director or advisory board
member for several technology companies.

“KippsDeSanto
is a preeminent investment bank that understands the dynamic market environment
in which today’s CyberSecurity and Intel companies operate,” explained Mr.
Crowell.  “The firm is clearly committed
to best serving its technology clients through a combination of industry
expertise and depth of M&A experience.”

Alan Wade
added, “I am looking forward to working with the firm in their continued
efforts to serve the Cyber and Intel community. 
As a board member, I see firsthand the importance of having a
transaction advisor who not only understands how to successfully navigate the
waters of a complex M&A transaction but who is also adept at understanding
their client’s technology and business at a granular level.” 

KippsDeSanto
announced the formation of the CIAC at its second “CyberSecurity &
Intelligence Perspectives” event on April 6th at the Ritz-Carlton,
Tysons Corner.  The event brought
together nearly 70 decision makers, thought leaders and senior executives
across the federal and private sector.

Mr. Crowell
and Mr. Wade were featured speakers in the event’s panel discussion, which
explored how the intelligence community and private sector organizations are
dealing with the dynamic CyberSecurity and Intelligence landscape.  The interactive discussion addressed timely
themes in today’s market, including:

1. The convergence of playing both
   defense and offense in combating security threats.
2. The exponential problems that occur
   when technology does not adequately incorporate security measures from
   inception.
3. Challenges around cyber attack
   attribution.   
4. The need for multi-national dialogue
   to stem the global cyber threat environment.

At the
event, the CIAC members also emphasized the critical role played by innovative
technology entrepreneurs in enabling federal agencies to successfully address a
very real and growing security threat.