Josh Salmanson
Vice President, Defensive Cyber Practice, Leidos
Josh Salmanson led the charge in advancing defensive cyber capabilities through automation, speed and scale. By integrating innovative technologies and processes, his team successfully enhanced detections, curated threat intelligence to inform risk mitigation vulnerabilities and strengthened the security posture of critical systems.
Moving forward, he aims to continue driving impactful solutions that empower customers to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.
“Josh’s leadership in the Defensive Cyber Practice has been instrumental in driving innovation and delivering solutions that protect our customers’ most critical assets,” said Paul Wilkinson, senior vice president and digital modernization practice leader at Leidos. “His ability to combine technical expertise with strategic vision sets him apart as a true leader in the cybersecurity space.”
Why Watch
In 2025, Salmanson’s team is heavily focused on delivering cutting-edge defensive cyber solutions that leverage automation and AI to outpace adversaries. They’re committed to scaling these capabilities to meet the growing complexity of cyber operations while increasing the resiliency of mission-critical systems. Their goal is to enable customers to achieve operational success in an increasingly dynamic threat landscape.
Cybersecurity isn’t just about defense but about enabling mission success by staying ahead of adversaries through innovation, speed and resilience, Salmanson said.
“For me, it’s deeply personal because I have family members and friends in uniform—every solution we create is designed to safeguard the people, systems, and data that drive critical operations,” he said. “By staying ahead of adversaries through innovations in technology and operations, we ensure our customers can focus on their missions with confidence.”
Fun Fact: Salmanson is a proud father of five, with three sons who served or are currently serving in the U.S. Army. Their military paths have taken the family to remote parts of the country, giving them a chance to experience its diversity and beauty firsthand.