Executive Government Advisor, Cybersecurity
- State Chief Risk and Security Officer, State of North Carolina
- Security Operations Center Lead, CGI – Environmental Protection Agency
- Senior Systems Security Engineer, SecureInfo - Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO)
- Certifying Authority, DRS Technologies – Multi National Forces- Iraq
- Information Assurance/Cybersecurity Chief, United States Marine Corps
- Bachelor of Science, University of Maryland, University College
- Master of Science, University of Maryland, University College
- Horror movies
- Physical fitness
- Traveling
- ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- ISACA Certification in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
They’re on our right, they’re on our left, they’re in front of us, they’re behind us; they can’t get away from us this time." - Chesty Puller, USMC
As an Executive Government Advisor, Maria specializes in helping customers establish a security first baseline within their environments. Maria works with security and technology leadership for customers, identifying trends, best practices, and assisting them in developing holistic security strategies. Maria also works with Amazon Web Services (AWS) security partners and supports state and local government (SLG) policy and regulatory.
Prior to joining AWS in 2021, Maria was the State Chief Risk and Security Officer for the State of North Carolina. Maria also worked in federal and joint military organizations in various security roles including Senior Security Architect and Security Operations Center lead. Maria retired after 20 years of service from the United States Marine Corps, as the Information Assurance and Cybersecurity Chief.
Maria received her bachelor of science degree and master of science degree from University of Maryland, University College. She also has her ISC2 and ISACA security certifications. Maria and her family live in North Carolina best known for the great smoky mountains and Biltmore Estate. She enjoys working out, traveling, and indulging in horror movies.
Resources featuring Maria
Blog
Breaking down silos and adopting a 'whole-of-state' cybersecurity approach
Former NSA Director Keith Alexander and Maria Thompson offer a whole-of-state cyber strategy in this blog from StateScoop.
Breaking down silos and adopting a ‘whole-of-state’ cybersecurity approach ›
5 things to consider while applying to the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP)
Discover how state and local government can address cyber incidents with the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP).
5 things to consider while applying to the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) ›
Cloud security design considerations for state and local government
Read the blog to discover cloud journey best practices for SLG chief information security officers (CISOs) and IT professionals.
Cloud security design considerations for state and local government ›
Podcast
Cybersecurity Awareness and Preparedness Includes the Need to Recruit Greater Diversity in the Cyber Workforce and a Call to Public Service
In this podcast episode, Maria discusses her “whole-of-state” mentality in securing IT and infrastructural assets to help modernize and secure local governments.
Video
Your Playbook for Protecting Against Cyberattacks
In this GovLoop video, Maria shares how to create a playbook for hybrid cloud security.
Discover Your Playbook for Protecting Against Cyberattacks ›
Q&A document
Maximizing efficiencies and securing the enterprise
Maria answers how governments can fund cybersecurity initiatives, enhance effiencies through automation, and meet compliance needs in this feature from GovTech Magazine.
Cybersecurity and risk management in the hybrid cloud
In this GovTech magazine feature, Maria answers how to protect hybrid cloud environments from sophisticated attacks.
Podcast
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Listen now ›
Engage with Executive Government Advisors
AWS state and local government and higher education advisors are available to engage with
customers across the nation. If you are looking for expertise and guidance to modernize or improve your organization’s services, please reach out to your account manager and we’d be happy to discuss. If you don’t have an account manager, please contact us and we can help connect you with one.