VET S.O.S. (67) S2/E15 - Gunnar Kallstrom & Keith Cassant

Gunnar Kallstrom is a Cyber Team Lead for a Department of Defense (DOD) contracting company, and has also worked as a computer network defense (CND) Cyber Analyst. An author and content creator for a cybersecurity academy, Kallstrom spent nearly 15 years in the Army as a musician before entering the cybersecurity field. Kallstrom has completed several cybersecurity training programs, notably the Cyber Warrior Academy program with more than 800 hours of hands-on, intensive, and lab-driven technical training in cybersecurity methods and procedures. Passionate about all things cyber, Kallstrom was a speaker on a panel at the 2022 InfoSec World conference, giving a talk entitled “Hacking into a Cyber Career – True Stories.” He will be returning to speak again for 2023. Kallstrom is also a mentor to entry-level cybersecurity candidates seeking to break into the field. Keith Cassant serves as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's (CISA's) Veteran Employment Program Manager, conducting veteran outreach to support the agency's mission and goals. Keith has over 20 years of experience in the military and federal government, with a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership and multiple certifications in Cybersecurity and Human Resources. Keith also serves CISA as an expert analyst in the assessment and improvement of complex programs and processes, such as the Student, Social Media Recruitment, Digital Marketing, and the Onboarding and Offboarding Programs. His goal is to help veterans transition smoothly and effectively, with maximum efficiency and impact, by providing them with mentorship, assistance, and services in various areas, such as VA claims, passion discovery, job searching, resume development, interview preparation, and job offer negotiation. He's passionate about empowering veterans, military spouses, and contributing to the federal workforce.