Steve Gilmer

Stephen Gilmer, Certified Chief Information Security Officer (C|CISO), is a Managing Director in the Compliance, Risk & Resilience group at B. Riley Advisory Services with more than 25 years of experience as a technical expert and executive leader focused on securing companies' most sensitive and valuable data and systems.

Stephen previously was in-house CISO at both a biotechnology startup and at two Fortune 10 aerospace, defense, and technology companies. In these roles, he designed and implemented sensitive data and IP security control programs; shaped policy at the national level and security framework formation; and proactively resolved complex investigation, audit, and regulatory oversight issues.

Mr. Gilmer has deep experience and firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing the Defense Industrial Base and defense contractors. He helped to shape how the original Cyber DFARS (252.204-7012) was required to be implemented and is now helping organizations become prepared to meet the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certifications mandated by the DoD. Stephen has helped start-ups, Defense-only organizations, and multi-billion dollar mixed commercial / defense organizations with their CMMC preparations. His guidance has been across all levels of the organization - from the board strategy and legal and compliance support to IT technical guidance.

Stephen is a Six Sigma Black Belt who led the IT infrastructure transition of a private start-up to address the regulatory and operational requirements that would be required of the company when it became publicly traded. As a business executive and CISO at a large aerospace defense company that was subject to a consent agreement with the United States government, Stephen also led global cyber investigations, risk analysis, engagement, and mitigation controls process necessary for the organization to successfully navigate oversight requirements and re-establish credibility with government customers. Concurrently, he led the cybersecurity efforts of the company to win and execute multi-billion-dollar government contracts.

Stephen frequently speaks at global cybersecurity conferences, publishes articles on the business advantages of proactive cyber risk management, and advises on and conducts cybersecurity education and training for members of corporate boards, C-Suites, and compliance officers. As an advisory board member, Stephen helps bridge the gap between the CISO function and the C-Suite and boardroom by focusing on the business advantages that this brings to an organization.

Stephen has negotiated and approved the cybersecurity language used on contracts worth up to $6 billion dollars with the U.S. military, addressing all aspects of cybersecurity, data protection, classified and non-classified data, audits, and governance.

Before joining B. Riley Advisory Services Stephen was with Ankura Consulting Group, after transitioning from industry to the advisory space. Mr. Gilmer received his BA in Computer Science from Kalamazoo College and has completed the Executive Leadership Program at Cornell University.