George Perera
Associate Director, LL.M. in Cybersecurity Law & Policy
B.A., Florida International University
M.P.A., Lynn University
M.A., Naval Post Graduate School, Center for Homeland Defense

George Perera is a career law enforcement officer with more than 29 years service. With the last 15 years working in technology focusing in cyber security. Perera excelled in technology and ultimately has become a subject matter expert in the areas of communications interoperability and cyber security.

His unusual combination of hard technical, public/private partnership development, facilitation, and national risk management experience allow him to provide particular insight into and leadership of strategic organizational,sector, and national cyber security initiatives and educational endeavors. A participant in the national critical infrastructure protection dialogue for ten years, Perera has provided regular advice, insight, and thought leadership to all levels of government and has been involved in the development of multiple Federal policies in technology and more specifically cyber security. His background includes leading‐edge cyber security consulting and works to advance the state of the art in information systems security. Perera has experience in information technology with a focus on security assessments, perimeter defense, secure network design, vulnerability discovery, penetration testing, compliance and intrusion detection systems; as well as business rules and policy development.

Perera has extensive command level experience in planning and managing investigations, police technology, public safety and police force activities. Strong qualifications in budgeting, cyber security, information technology, resource management, homeland security, and emergency response. Excellent research and problem solving skills; maintain strict confidentiality on sensitive information. Skilled at collaborating with regional, state, and federal law enforcement officials on investigative matters as well as technology related issues. Reputation for strong work ethic and uncompromising devotion to service.

Perera is frequently called upon by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to participate in policy related forums as well as speaking engagements. During his tenure he obtained his first Master’s degree in Public Administration from Lynn University as well as a graduate certificate in Emergency Planning and Administration. He is also a NENA Emergency Number Professional (ENP) since 2005. His assignments included Information Technology where he continued to expand his knowledge of security, data storage, networks, as well as all other aspects of police technology. He served as project manager for several significant IT projects, including the 911‐telephone switch replacement as well as was responsible for over $300 million in infrastructure. While assigned to IT he was accepted to the Naval Post Graduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security Master’s degree program sponsored by DHS and graduated December 2012. His last project was the creation of a Real Time Crime Center.

Perera has authored several articles related to police technology as well as his thesis cyber security implication to the homeland. He belongs to numerous committees and organizations including the International Association of Chief’s of Police, National Emergency Number Association, Interagency Board, SAFECOM Emergency Response Council and, multiple DHS sponsored working groups on cyber security, police technology and interoperability. He is also the recipient of numerous awards and commendations including the International Association of Chief’s of Police, Leadership in Technology Award in 2004.

His interests include research into police technology, cyber security, and cyber terrorism.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  • Master of Arts (MA), Homeland/National Security, U.S. NAVAL Post Graduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security, Monterey, CA
  • Master of Public Administration (MPA), Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL
  • Bachelor of Science (BS), cum laude, Construction Management,
  • Senior Fellow, Louisiana State University, Stephenson Disaster Management Institute, Baton Rouge, LA
  • Graduate Certificate in Emergency Planning and Administration, Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL
  • Emergency Number Practitioner (ENP). Certification in Professional 9‐1‐1Center Management, issued by the National Emergency Number Association(NENA).
  • Top Secret Security Clearance first in 1983 (Military), 1998 (FBI), 2010 (DHS)(inactive)

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS CYBER

  • Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Risk Assessment of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN). Developed cybersecurity standards for the new public safety broadband network.
  • Department of Homeland Security, Cyber Security Assessment and Risk Management Approach (CARMA). Developed a cyber‐assessment model to be used by the first responder community to identify weaknesses and needs.
  • Department of Homeland Security, Emergency Service Sector, Cyber Security subject matter expert. Have participated as a panelist or speaker on cybersecurity issues.
  • DHS subject matter expert in cyber security and interoperable communications.

OTHER TECHNOLOGY AND POLICE

  • Conceptualized, designed, planned and executed the Real‐time Crime Center. This functions 24/7 as a centralized data hub that rapidly mines information across multiple databases including criminal and social media Led the effort for design, procurement and implementation of a NextGen ESI net.
  • Created a SharePoint site where investigators post information regarding investigations and leads. This aids in deconfliction so that other investigators are aware who is working what investigations. This also is a collaborative tool for sharing intelligence information between investigators and analysts. Investigators can post information to be actioned later by analyst’s thereby increasing efficiency.
  • Broadened the number of databases we have access to and ensured that all staff members are becoming certified to access all of them. Added Facial Recognition capabilities and integrated the use of Social Media into the Robbery Clearinghouse as additional tools. Created a blog for investigations, providing a collaborative tool for sharing information between investigators.
  • Created a Crime view map layer for outstanding warrants and PC messages, allowing detectives to identify warrants and probable cause messages in proximity to their location, with a picture of the subject and wanted information.
  • Selected as one of thirteen subject matter experts in Interoperability to prepare a job description and curriculum for a new Department of Homeland Security, NIMS Integration Center ICS position the All Hazards Communications Unit Leader (COML).
  • Prepared the regional Department of Homeland Security, Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan (TIC) as it related to interoperable communications. Also served as a trusted agent and evaluator for exercise of the plan.
  • Prepared Continuity of Operations Plan to ensure continuity of 9‐1‐1 services in the event of a disaster or major disruption of services.
  • Worked in conjunction with Unisys, Cisco and TSA on an Interoperability Pilot Project, a public/private partnership to create a means by which existing radio technology could be bridged into a universal internet protocol enabling compatibility of incompatible radio systems. This was before VoIP was an established protocol. Participation in pilot project resulted in Department receiving 2004 IACP Leadership in Technology Award.
  • Participated in task forces with DEA, FBI, ATF, US Customs, Secret Service, FDLE, State Attorney’s Office, and US Attorney’s Office.
  • Department of Homeland Security’s SAFECOM, National Emergency Communications Plan. On working group that developed the National Emergency Communications Plan which is an interoperable communications standard.

COMMITTEES AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

  • Speaker at the 2014 International Association of Chief’s of Police on Cyber Security and Broadband Technology.
  • Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Risk Assessment of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) working group, since 2010. Developed cyber security standards for the new public safety broadband network.
  • Department of Homeland Security, Emergency Service Sector, Cyber Security Working Group, since 2010.
  • Department of Homeland Security, Cyber Security Assessment and Risk Management Approach (CARMA). Developed a cyber‐assessment model to be used by the first responder community to identify weaknesses and needs.
  • Department of Homeland Security, Emergency Service Sector, Cyber Security subject matter expert. Have participated as a panelist or speaker on cyber security issues.
  • International Association of Fire Chief’s – Cyber Security Concerns for Public Safety Leaders – May 2015
  • National Emergency Number Association (NENA)/Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APC), Next Generation 911 Standards for Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) Sub‐committee. Since 2006
  • Department of Homeland Security, SAFECOM, Emergency Response Council Member, since 2005.
  • The Inter‐Agency Board (IAB), member of the Interoperable Communications and Information Management Subgroup (Cyber Security), since 2005.
  • International Association of Chiefs of Police, Communications and Technology Committee. Since 2005
  • International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and Major Cities Chiefs’(MCC) Conference, Communications Committee, Chairman, 2005.
  • International Association of Chief’s of Police – Cyber Security: A Law Enforcement Perspective – October 2015
  • DHS SAFECOM Presentation – A Look Inside Cyber Security Breaches: A Public Safety Communications Perspective – November 2017
  • DHS SAFECOM Presentation – “Security First” Perspective to Mitigate the Cyber Threat – April 2019
  • DHS Cybersecurity 101 webinar – Moderator – May 2020

AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS:

  • DHS Cyber Security Summit 2019 -Framing Public Safety Cyber Risks & Strengthening Public Safety’s Cybersecurity Posture – September 2019 employee Excellence Award, 2016. Recognition for the procurement, project management and implementation of the Public Records Management system.
  • Employee Excellence Award, 2006. Recognition for Chairing the Communications Committee for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and Major Cities Chiefs’ (MCC) Conference.
  • Employee Excellence Award, 2005. Recognition of self‐initiated audit of Department wide telephone billing and discovery of Department being over-billed for approximately 1955 phone lines, resulted in annual savings of$550,000.
  • County Employee of the Year 2005, Honorable Mention. Recognition for innovation in communications and overall performance.
  • International Association of Chiefs of Police, Leadership in Technology Award winner 2004, for excellence in law enforcement communications and interoperability.
  • Eric Santiesteban Memorial Award Victim Service Professional of the Year, Honorable Mention, 1995. Miami‐Dade County, Office of the County Manager, Office of Victim Services, National Victim Rights Week 1995, recognition for victim assistance and investigative work in Hurricane Andrew Contractor Fraud Task Force.
  • Employee Excellence Award, 1990. Recognition for investigative work while assigned to Kendall District GIU.
  • Various Departmental and U.S. Army Commendations.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:

  • International Association of Chiefs of Police
  • Police Benevolent Association
  • International Police Association
  • Hispanic Police Officers’ Association
  • National Emergency Number Association
  • Association of Public‐Safety Communications Officials
  • Rho Epsilon Mu, National Emergency Management Honor Society
  • National Eagle Scout Association