Dr. Derek A. Smith is a senior cybersecurity executive, educator, and author with over 30 years of experience across federal service, industry, and workforce development. A retired Deputy Director from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), he has led enterprise cybersecurity, risk management, and identity-focused security initiatives in high-impact environments. Dr. Smith is the founder and CEO of CertifyIT Training Solutions Corp., where he focuses on delivering practical, job-ready cybersecurity and AI education. He is the author of multiple cybersecurity and AI books, including The AI-Powered Defender, which explores the real-world application of AI in modern security operations. As a member of the AI CERTs Advisory Board, Dr. Smith brings a practitioner-first perspective on AI-enabled defense, skills-based hiring, and workforce readiness.