Royce Allen

As the Dir,  Enterprise Cybersecurity Architecture (ESA), Ms. Allen has delivered an ESA Framework for the Department of Veteran Affairs. ESA is responsible for delivering enterprise security architecture product and services to help integrate and align VA with system, mission, and business requirements throughout the development and product lifecycle. ESA is an actionable, iterative, automated, enterprise security process model that encompasses security attributes for architecture domains for VA IT Modernization and digital transformation activities.VA ESA will define, develop, integrate, and implement security principles, strategies, standards, and guidelines, applying Federal Laws, Directives, Standards, Policies, and Processes.

Prior to joining VA, Ms. Allen served as Chief, Office of Oversight and Compliance for the National Security Agency’s Information Assurance (IA) Directorate (IAD) and Cybersecurity (CS) programs.  During her tenure she developed a compreshive IA compliance program; revitalized/modernized efforts to identify and deliver state-of-the-art automated compliance internal controls and policies.  Her achievements resulted in an agency-wide IA/CS compliance wellness program. Within a year, IA/CS compliance wellness program served as an exemplar to measure compliance readiness and global health by demonstrating significant improvements. Increased IA/CS program compliance to 100%, compared with a previous rating of 3% compliance. Ms. Allen previousely served in extremely challenging roles, namely, Chief, Scalable Analytics Division (a start-up organization) where she led the development of the first IA/CS analytic machine learning algorithms, deploying over 150+ analytics capabilities and tools using cloud and traditional technologies. These tools enabled cyber missions and countered threats throughout the IC, DoD, and federal agencies. Several of her projects supported the development of continuous monitoring, insider threat, and data reduction analytic capabilities. She also worked in the capacity as the Acting, Chief  and Deputy Chief, of the Information System Security Engineering (ISSE) Division, and Theater mission liaison to execute the deployment of the first operational ISSE team; she managed and provided security engineering guidance to large-scale DoD weapon system programs. Emphasizing the need to develop junior technical professionals in mathematics, computer science, engineering, and project management, she was a mentor and initiated internal development programs to influence innovation and teambuilding. Ms. Allen served as Chairperson of several technical bodies, including the IA/CS Analytic Vetting Working Group, Co-Chair of the Enterprise Analytic Vetting Working Group, and Co-chair of for the Women Enterprise Resource Working Group.