With more than 20 years of experience, Lili Colon has a deep understanding of how quickly the threat landscape changes and what is needed to best secure and protect the U.S. energy supply from all threats. She helps drive the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) mission to strengthen the security and resilience of U.S. energy infrastructure from cyber, physical, and natural hazard risks and disruptions by leveraging critical expertise across both public and private sectors.
Lili guides the department and its programs towards success with an emphasis on multi-disciplinary collaboration among agency partners, industry, academia, and education. Her background in operations and cyber, physical, and communications domains is rooted in her commitment to excellence and ensures a critical eye is kept on the horizon.
Most recently, Lili served as the Deputy Associate Director for the Integrated Operations Division within the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). In this role, she worked to minimize the impact to our Nation’s Critical Infrastructure by establishing operational and leadership support within the Agency’s 24/7 Operation Center. Lili also served as the deputy co-chair to the COMM-ISAC and supported CISA’s operational processes in response to Emergency Support Functions #2: “Communication” and #14: “Cross-sector Business and Infrastructure” responsibilities under the National Response Framework.
Previously, Lili served as the Chief for Strategic Planning and Resource Management for the Cybersecurity Division within CISA. Ther work was integral in managing strategy, policy coordination, integrating program planning, and performance of a $1.2B annual budget. Furthermore, she was responsible for maturing the Division’s annual operating plans and long-term strategy to achieve national cybersecurity objectives. This required Lili to establish multiple agency strategic policy development planning efforts and coordinate engagements to support the Department of Homeland Security’s broader mission to increase resilience in our Nation’s Critical Infrastructure and reduce exposure to cyber risks.
Throughout her career, Lili has honed her expertise through various Information Technology/Cybersecurity Positions in the government and private sectors relating to the Certification and Accreditation Process, Cybersecurity Curriculum Manager, Information Assurance, Cyber Strategic Planning, and Security Policy Development.
Her role at CESER clarifies the Office’s vison for how our Nation can secure its energy infrastructure now and in the future.