Management in cybersecurity calls for not simply technical experience however strategic foresight, operational resilience, and a people-first mindset. One such chief continuously embodying these qualities is Douglas Lemott Jr., a seasoned govt with greater than three a long time of cybersecurity, IT, and nationwide protection expertise spanning throughout each private and non-private sectors.
Lemott has a observe document of excellence from each the U.S. Marine Corps in addition to a number of Fortune 500 firms. He now serves because the Chief Info Safety Officer (CISO) for the Evaluation and Resilience Middle for Systemic Threat (ARC). ARC is a corporation targeted on figuring out and mitigating systemic threats to U.S. financial and nationwide safety infrastructure.
A Distinguished Profession in Service and Safety
Douglas Lemott Jr. started his skilled journey in america Marine Corps, serving with distinction for 27 years. His profession was marked by management roles that ranged from tactical operations to enterprise-level IT and cybersecurity technique.
Amongst his most notable achievements was his management of the Marine Corps Our on-line world Operations Group (MCCOG). On this function, he was liable for the safety and protection of the Marine Corps Enterprise Community (MCEN), which supported over 300,000 customers. He additionally led the Community Operations Middle, in addition to the Safety Operations Middle. On this place, he oversees efforts to guard important techniques from persistent cyber threats.
In his last active-duty function, Lemott was charged with executing CIO and CISO capabilities for the Marine Corps. That is the place he supported the Marine Corps Authorizing Official. These tasks laid the muse for his post-military profession, seamlessly bridging the hole between nationwide protection and enterprise cybersecurity.
Transition to the Non-public Sector
Following his army retirement, Douglas Lemott Jr. transitioned to the non-public sector. That is the place he utilized his management and strategic expertise in complicated cybersecurity environments. At VMware, he served as Director of Safety and Compliance for the federal government, training, and healthcare (GEH) sectors. He led compliance efforts aligned with frameworks reminiscent of FedRAMP, FIPS, and HIPAA, all whereas serving to company and enterprise models obtain cybersecurity readiness.
Later, Lemont grew to become Vice President of Safety Operations and Deputy CISO at SAP Nationwide Safety Providers (SAP NS2). On this place, Lemott established and led a complete cybersecurity program that protected functions, infrastructure, and international cloud platforms. His portfolio included overseeing safe multi-tenant cloud environments that supported SAP platform merchandise worldwide.
Management at ARC
Now at ARC, Lemott leads safe know-how initiatives that improve member collaboration in combating systemic threat to important financial and nationwide techniques. His present function as CISO is deeply strategic. He’s liable for creating infrastructure that helps safe information sharing and threat resilience amongst key stakeholders. He additionally focuses on designing techniques that adjust to regulatory and operational safety requirements, whereas additionally sustaining flexibility to adapt to an evolving risk setting.
Mentorship Rooted in Expertise
For Lemott, mentorship isn’t an obligation, however an integral a part of management. All through his profession, he has been formed by mentors who emphasised belief, readability of intent, and strategic persistence. Within the Marine Corps, an early mentor instilled in him the worth of intent-based management, emphasizing the “why” behind each mission.
Within the non-public sector, a former CISO taught him that cybersecurity isn’t about reaching perfection however about constructing resilience. These classes proceed to form how he mentors the subsequent technology of cybersecurity leaders.
His strategy to mentorship is grounded in each practicality and transparency. He encourages rising leaders to evolve from downside solvers to downside definers. “In each army operations and cybersecurity, success usually relies upon much less on having the appropriate solutions and extra on asking the appropriate questions,” Lemott explains.
He offers mentees the liberty to tackle stretch assignments, paired with the assist wanted to navigate uncertainty. He additionally shares his setbacks, emphasizing that genuine management is constructed on self-awareness, adaptability, and reflection.
Adapting Mentorship Throughout Sectors
Lemott’s mentoring fashion has advanced. Within the Marine Corps, his mentorship leaned on construction and accountability. Within the non-public sector, particularly inside multidisciplinary cybersecurity groups, it has change into extra nuanced.
He now mentors with a higher emphasis on emotional intelligence, curiosity, and listening. “In cybersecurity, the place ambiguity is the norm, it’s important to information folks by way of it relatively than attempt to remove it,” he says.
He focuses on serving to professionals construct their confidence in navigating ambiguity, supporting their progress in real-time situations the place clear-cut solutions are hardly ever out there. The result’s a mentorship strategy that values each readability and adaptability. This has change into a mannequin well-suited to right this moment’s dynamic risk panorama.
Influences That Proceed to Form Management
A chunk of recommendation that reworked Lemott’s strategy to decision-making got here throughout a nationwide safety task. “Pace is essential, however readability is important.” This precept helped him shift from reactive decision-making to intentional management.
He now emphasizes understanding the context earlier than appearing. That is whether or not in a nationwide safety mission or a company cyber response. By pausing to make clear roles, assumptions, and outcomes, Lemott fosters extra considerate and impactful choices.
Figuring out and Rising Expertise
In each the Marine Corps and the non-public sector, Lemott has developed a eager eye for figuring out management potential. He believes that rising leaders don’t at all times stand out instantly. “Typically, it’s those with quiet possession, curiosity, and a willingness to deal with complexity who’re greatest positioned to develop,” he notes.
As soon as recognized, these people are supplied real-world alternatives. Not simply further duties, however stretch roles that provide each problem and visibility. Lemott encourages his mentees to transient executives, lead initiatives, and be a part of strategic conversations. This finally helps them construct the boldness and context they’ll want in senior roles.
He additionally emphasizes a feedback-rich setting. “I don’t simply ask, ‘How did you carry out?’ I ask, ‘What did you study?’” This query indicators his perception in studying because the true metric of management improvement.
The Worth of Ongoing Mentorship
Douglas Lemott Jr. doesn’t simply give mentorship; he actively maintains relationships along with his personal mentors. As his profession has progressed, he’s shifted from mentee to see by partaking in mutual dialogue and shared studying. These relationships assist maintain his management grounded within the values and views which have formed his profession.
“Whilst tasks develop, essentially the most worthwhile classes usually come from those that knew you earlier in your journey,” he displays. He makes it some extent to achieve out often. Typically, simply to share insights, ask for perspective, and even mirror on a brand new problem.
A Legacy of Management By Others
Wanting again, Lemott finds essentially the most achievement not in private achievements, however within the successes of these he’s mentored. “The best reward is seeing somebody you coached tackle a tricky problem and lead with confidence and integrity,” he shares. Whether or not it’s a junior Marine or a first-time supervisor in a company setting, he takes satisfaction in cultivating leaders who pay it ahead.
For Douglas Lemott Jr., management isn’t a vacation spot. It’s a steady technique of studying, mentoring, and adapting. From safeguarding nationwide techniques to constructing cybersecurity groups throughout industries, his profession is a mannequin of strategic foresight, humility, and enduring service.
