As the new Director of Compliance Education at FutureFeed, I’m thrilled to join a team that has already established itself as a leader in helping organizations navigate complex compliance frameworks like NIST SP 800-171. FutureFeed provides a solid foundation of tools, training, and resources, and I’m here to build on that strength—refining and expanding our offerings to meet the evolving needs of our users and partners.

I am deeply passionate about educating Defense Industrial Base (DIB) contractors on the cybersecurity requirements they must meet. It is incredibly fulfilling to empower these organizations with the knowledge and confidence to implement and maintain compliance throughout the system lifecycle. My mission goes beyond helping companies pass an audit—I want to enable them to sustain compliance during the certification maintenance window and remain prepared as they introduce new systems, capabilities, or significant changes into their environments.

At the same time, I recognize that some businesses often face financial constraints that can make accessing full consulting or managed security services challenging. I empathize deeply with the struggles these organizations face. That’s why I am committed to providing clear, actionable education and helpful resources to alleviate some of the financial burden. By equipping these companies with the tools and knowledge they need, I aim to give them the confidence to succeed and maintain compliance without excessive costs.

One of my first priorities is ensuring that the training resources embedded within FutureFeed—such as educational videos, quick reference guides, and helpful tips—remain clear, actionable, and align with the latest industry standards. My focus is on enhancing these materials to further empower users, making every interaction with the tool an opportunity to deepen their understanding and effectively meet compliance objectives.

Equally important is enhancing the FutureFeed certified training programs. These certifications are essential for equipping partners and users with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC). By refining existing course content and introducing new material, I aim to ensure that our certifications not only validate tool proficiency but also empower participants to address compliance challenges with confidence.

Building on this, the FutureFeed platform already offers a robust suite of resources and guidance. My goal is to refine these elements to create a seamless user experience that simplifies navigation and enhances usability. By exploring improvements like visual guides and incorporating practical information to address common compliance challenges, I aim to ensure the platform continues to deliver exceptional value while maintaining its reputation as a trusted compliance solution.

Behind the scenes, I’ll focus on refining the resources that help organizations succeed, from updating documentation templates and creating easy-to-execute operating procedures to integrating new frameworks into our ecosystem. These updates will make it even easier for organizations to leverage FutureFeed’s capabilities to meet compliance requirements effectively.

I bring over 15 years of experience in implementing and assessing cybersecurity frameworks, including NIST SP 800-171 and NIST SP 800-53. As a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified CMMC Assessor (CCA), and Certified CMMC Professional (CCP), I have led initiatives across industries, helping organizations achieve compliance, navigate complex security requirements, and strengthen their overall security posture. My experience includes leading a successful consulting firm, where I conducted comprehensive assessments, developed remediation strategies, and crafted tailored documentation to meet client needs.

Earlier in my career, I served in the Navy as a Cryptologic Technician Networks (CTN) specialist, performing incident response and Navy Blue Team compliance and vulnerability assessments to safeguard critical systems. After separation, I worked directly with the Department of Defense (DoD), supporting the implementation and assessment of the Risk Management Framework (RMF), further refining my ability to align cybersecurity practices with federal standards and operational requirements. These experiences have equipped me with a unique perspective to enhance FutureFeed’s offerings and empower our users to achieve their compliance goals with clarity and conviction.

FutureFeed is already a trusted leader in the compliance space, and I am honored to contribute to its continued success. By building on the strong foundation in place, I aim to deliver innovative solutions and meaningful enhancements that help users and partners confidently achieve their cybersecurity and compliance objectives.

Rachel Leidy, Director of Compliance Education, FutureFeed