The finalists for WashingtonExec’s 2024 Pinnacle Awards were announced Sept. 20, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person Nov. 21.
Next is Razwan Raja, chief innovation officer at Agile Defense, and finalist in the Cybersecurity Executive of the Year, Private Company, category. Here, he talks about recent achievements, shares career advice and more.
What key achievements did you have in 2024?
I worked with our new CEO to align our innovation strategy to ensure that we continue to provide the most advanced digital, data and cyber security solutions to meet our customer needs. Along with this change, I was focused on re-organizing and refocusing Agile’s IT security program and IT operations. I also led the development of Agile Labs, which allows us to build customized digital solutions to support our customers’ most sensitive national security and civilian missions.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the mission?
Emerging challenges demand innovative responses, so I am constantly focused on improving how we deliver cutting-edge solutions to all of our customers, existing and future. This includes helping our customers defend against advanced and emerging cyber threats, helping them improve their use of AI to accelerate decision making processes and applying advanced digital services to improve mission operations.
What is your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
If at first you don’t succeed, try turning it off and on again – it works for tech and it works for leadership. So when problems become overly challenging and you get stuck, sometimes you have to do a hard reset by taking a step back and coming at it fresh.
Fun Fact: What is something about you that most people do not know?
From memory I recite NIST SP800-53 as bedtime stories for my kids. I always find national IT security standards riveting, but it puts them to sleep every time.