Derek Kernus

Derek guides a team of cybersecurity professionals focused on helping federal contractors build or remediate their cybersecurity programs to meet DFARS 252.204-7012 and CMMC Level 2. In his role, Derek supports the design and enforcement of the CMMC requirements on client in-scope networks. He is also responsible for supporting the clients of Sentinel Blue with thoroughly documenting the compliance of their Covered Contractor Information System through a System Security Plan (SSP) written to NIST SP 800-171A and gathering supporting artifacts.

Before joining Sentinel Blue, Derek was the Director of Cybersecurity Operations for a CMMC RPO cybersecurity firm. While in that role, he led a team that guided 2 defense contractors through 110-perfect score Joint Surveillance Voluntary Assessments – the equivalent of CMMC Level 2 certification assessments. Derek holds the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certifications from ISC2, the CMMC Certified Professional Certification (CCP) from the Cyber AB, and a Master of Business Administration from William and Mary’s School of Business.