Laura Harder is a cybersecurity professional with a career spanning over 23 years. With extensive military service, including 9 years in the Army and 13 years in the Air Force Reserves, she currently serves as an Offensive Cyber officer. Laura's dedication to cybersecurity extends across various sectors, from government contracting and federal civilian roles to private and publicly traded companies. Her commitment to the field is evident through her active involvement in the cybersecurity community. As the founding and current president of the Northern Colorado ISSA chapter, a director on the ISSA International board, and member of WiCys, Raíces, CSA and several other non-profit cybersecurity groups , she is a passionate advocate for cybersecurity awareness and has recently spoken at over a dozen universities and conferences around the country on topics like Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, deepfakes, cyber espionage and social engineering. Laura is also deeply committed to mentoring young professionals looking to enter the cyber/IT workforce and supporting neurodiversity in the workplace.
Laura's leadership and technical expertise shine through her roles as a Flight Commander (AF) and Director in multiple companies along with other strategic positions. She brings a wealth of knowledge in information technology, application development, project management, and security consulting services for both commercial and government clients. Laura is a formidable force in the cybersecurity field. Her relentless dedication to advancing the industry, promoting diversity and inclusion, and providing mentorship to future cybersecurity professionals makes her an invaluable asset to any organization and a dynamic leader in the cybersecurity community.