# Rick Howard: A Pioneer in Cybersecurity The career and cybersecurity strategies of Rick Howard, CSO of N2K Cyber. - **Source:** [Hacking Humans](https://brifing.si/source/5c2a25b7-81b2-4f80-9066-74997292410d) - **Published:** 2026-07-14 - **Topic:** [Software & Engineering](https://brifing.si/c/engineering) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f07d6b6f-b22a-400d-9783-982613ec0539 ## Rick Howard's Career Journey Rick Howard serves as the CSO and Chief Analyst at N2K Cyber. Previously, he held senior security roles at companies like Palo Alto Networks and TASC. He also commanded the U.S. Army's Computer Emergency Response Team. ## Military and Academic Background Howard served 25 years in the U.S. Army and taught computer science at West Point. These experiences shaped his strategic approaches in cybersecurity. ## Publications and Contributions Howard edited two books and published his own, 'Cybersecurity First Principles: A Reboot of Strategy and Tactics.' This book revisits fundamental principles in cybersecurity. ## Role at N2K Cyber As CSO of N2K Cyber, Howard oversees the company's cybersecurity strategies. He also hosts the 'Hash Table' program, discussing current issues with industry experts. ## Principles in Cybersecurity Howard emphasizes the core principles of cybersecurity strategies. According to him, these principles help organizations become more resilient against cyber threats. ## Impact on the Industry Rick Howard's work and leadership have a significant impact on the cybersecurity industry. His strategic approaches serve as a guide for many organizations. ## Sources covering this story - https://thecyberwire.com/podcasts/word-notes/142/notes — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._