Photo By Christopher Gillis | The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency's Director, William K. Lietzau,...... read more read more
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QUANTICO, Va. - The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) Director William Lietzau presented Amber D. Jackson, an Intelligence Operations Specialist for the Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE), with the Senior Employee of the Year award on March 10, during the DCSA Annual Awards Ceremony in Quantico, Virginia.
Jackson, an Odenton, Maryland, native who graduated from the University of Maryland, accepted the award at the Russell-Knox Building for her work as the only federal subject matter expert in Insider Threat training, an accomplishment earned with just over two years of government service.
Scott Hill, Chief of CDSE’s Education Division and Acting Chief of CDSE’s Insider Threat Division, emphasized how much Jackson cared about the Insider Threat mission and always thought of ways to improve CDSE training products and services to help the vast DOD and Federal Insider Threat community.
“She provided critical subject matter expertise and helped guide contract instructors, instructional system designers, and communications personnel in creating and delivering case studies, webinars, and various other insider threat products, all of which would have been delayed or ceased without her expertise and management,” said Hill. “Her dedication resulted in operational continuity and the avoidance of mission degradation, sustaining DCSA’s place as the premier provider of Insider Threat Training.”
A year prior, Jackson was selected as the recipient of the 2022 Intelligence Community (IC) National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) Professional Awards in the Education and Training category.
“I have had the good fortune over my 37-year career to work with some very smart, hardworking, and dedicated people. Amber is one of those people,” Hill added. “Within moments after meeting her, I knew she would represent CDSE professionally and enhance our reputation as an organization that security professionals trust and need. I am confident that Amber will continue to do amazing things throughout her career, and I look forward to seeing her innovative ideas impact the future of security training.”
Jackson said her ability to wear multiple hats, demonstrate superior leadership, and embrace collaboration is what she thinks helped lead to her win.
“As the only federal employee in my shop for two years, I did not shy away from participating in efforts that were not required. Conversely, I added them to my roster and gave them one hundred percent of my attention, as if they were required,” she said. “This is largely reflected in CDSE’s participation in National Insider Threat Awareness Month (NITAM), namely, the DCSA Conference for Insider Threat held every September.”
To stay motivated, Jackson said she had to remind herself she has what it takes and the intangibles to lead and achieve—a belief followed by action.
“It is amazing to be recognized for my hard work and dedication,” she said. “I am grateful to be selected amongst the many outstanding fellow gatekeepers at DCSA.”
She took a moment to reflect on the influential women in her life who have helped her along the way and said three instantly came to mind.
“Cynthia Beard was my government lead when I was supporting counterintelligence investigations, and she has a second-to-none work ethic that has influenced me greatly. There is Nicole Haager-Williams, and without her thoughtful insight as a DCSA employee of close to 15 years, I would not have considered working for this agency. As a black woman in CI/Insider Threat, women like her make it possible for women like me to see themselves in these security roles.”
She went on to say, “Last but certainly not least is Rebecca Morgan, my supervisor at CDSE, before departing to be a change maker at the DNI [Director of National Intelligence]. She is someone I am thankful to have as both a friend and a mentor as I navigate the security community and its ever-expanding mission sets,” she said.
When asked what advice she would share with others blazing their own trail in security, she said, “Do not be concerned with others’ perception of you. You are qualified, your experience is legitimate, and you are a professional. You can be charismatic or introverted and find success; you can be a leader or remain in the background and still be industrious. Honestly, sometimes being annoying is what produces results, yet simply listening can also put you in the right position. Regardless, stay determined and committed to completing the mission.”
| Date Taken: | 04.04.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 04.05.2023 12:47 |
| Story ID: | 441964 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 2,366 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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