Douglas Steil
General Manager & Senior Director of Cybersecurity Products, BAE Systems
Douglas Steil leads the cybersecurity products team at the forefront of developing accredited cross-domain solutions for their defense and intelligence customers. With today’s evolving and complex cybersecurity challenges, a holistic approach across the entire IT infrastructure environment is required – from endpoints and networks to applications and the cloud.
Steil’s team recently brought hardware-based CDS products to the U.S. market to provide an even higher level of security with the speed of field programmable gate arrays. They’ve developed small form factor and tactical CDS to support missions outside of the wire with all the benefits of connecting back to the cloud for the warfighter.
“It’s not just about detecting and defending threats, it’s also about anticipating them,” Steil said. “CDS provide multi-layered security and help ensure that our customers’ data and information are safe. Our solutions utilize deep content inspection and sanitization techniques to allow only what is necessary for the mission to cross over the network boundaries.”
CDS provide customers with a high level of assurance when connecting to different security levels within the cloud. Whether onsite at a data center or in the field, these unique solutions secure information flow in both multi and unidirectional – reducing the risk of exfiltration or infiltration.
“Doug has a people-first mindset and collaborates with our customers to understand their goals and challenges,” said Meg Redlin, product line director for Advanced Mission Solutions at BAE Systems. “He works with them to customize solutions that meet their evolving mission requirements in both traditional data center and portable cloud implementations.”
Why Watch
In 2025, Steil’s team is heavily focused on providing current and future customers with both interim authority to operate and authority to operate support to include accreditation documentation and associated artifacts.
“We help our customers navigate the path from procurement to full operating capability for cross domain solutions,” he said. “Our products enable the sharing and managing of battlefield and intelligence data from all sources and domains to carry out critical missions across the globe.”
With a people-first approach, Steil is a strong advocate for mentorship, believing in a pay-it-forward mentality that leaves a profound impact.
“I have carried lessons and guidance with me from my own mentors over the years,” he said. “Now even as I mentor many colleagues myself, I continue to learn and grow.”
Fun fact: When Steil isn’t working, he enjoys the outdoors and paddle board with his dog.