Biography

In today’s world of evolving cyber threats, how can higher education institutions protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks like the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)?

Derrich Phillips offers the answers. With over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity leadership and consulting, Derrich empowers organizations to move beyond compliance checklists and implement practical, results-driven security strategies.

Derrich began his career in 2002 as a Cyber Network Defender in the U.S. Army, where he gained firsthand experience safeguarding critical systems. After his honorable discharge in 2006, Derrich honed his expertise at leading defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin, and transitioned to private-sector roles with Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Bank of America. In 2021, he founded Aspire Cyber, a consulting firm dedicated to helping small and medium-sized businesses achieve cybersecurity compliance. As one of the few Lead CMMC Certified Assessors and the founder of the CMMC Professionals Network (CPN), Derrich is a trusted thought leader in the field.

Derrich is a passionate and engaging keynote speaker who has delivered dynamic presentations and live training sessions for organizations and universities across the U.S. His talks inspire IT leaders and educators to transform compliance requirements into actionable, accessible strategies to protect their institutions. Whether sharing lessons from real-world mock assessments or unveiling the secrets to robust scoping and evidence-based controls, Derrich equips audiences with the tools they need to navigate the complex cybersecurity landscape confidently.