The chapter launched its inaugural event in November 2025 at the Capital Factory, with a timely and engaging discussion on Demystifying CMMC: Facts, Fiction and the Path to Readiness.
The event featured a thought-provoking panel discussion focused on understanding what's real, what's not and how organizations can effectively prepare for CMMC certification.
Panelists included Thomas Graham, vice president and chief information security officer (CISO) at Redspin, a division of Clearwater; Kyle Lai, president and chief security officer of KLC Consulting, an Authorized CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO), and Chris Haigh, founder and CEO of Meerkat Cyber, providers of CMMC Consulting and certified C3PAO and training services under the Department of Defense's CMMC Framework.
Attendees heard firsthand from recognized CMMC and cybersecurity experts and gained practical insights into compliance strategies, certification readiness, common misconceptions and frequent pitfalls encountered during preparation and assessment. The open Q&A format allowed both government and industry participants to engage directly with panelists, fostering candid discussion and improving shared understanding of how CMMC is being interpreted and implemented across the defense industrial base.
The event concluded with a networking social that further encouraged dialogue and collaboration among professionals from the defense, technology and government sectors, reinforcing the chapter's mission to serve as a trusted forum for education, connection and knowledge-sharing across the Central Texas region.
The chapter extends its appreciation to its sponsors:
Event Title Sponsor: Red River
Founding Sponsor: B Technology
Top Tier Sponsor: Capital Factory
Premium Sponsors: Bank of America and Q-SYS
Small Business Sponsors: IPTA and Forward Edge-AI
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