Consortium of Leading Cyber Technology and Insurance Providers Announce the Launch of SafeHouseInitiative.org
January 17, 2023
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This is a companion blog to the “The SafeHouse” podcast dated April 10, 2025.
In today’s digital landscape, cybersecurity is not just a technical issue; it’s a national security imperative. As we face increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, the need for a unified approach between the public and private sectors has never been more critical. Alex Green, a thought leader from The Redwood Project, sheds light on this transformative vision for national cybersecurity.
Listen to the original podcast here: /the-federal-cyber-enterprise-protecting-u-s-business-from-cybersecurity-threats/
Alex Green, has had a diverse career, starting from his time in the Army Special Operations with the 75th Ranger Regiment. After transitioning from military service, he became a security analyst and worked his way up in various roles within the financial services sector. Currently, he serves as the Chief Information Security Officer at Delta Dental.
The Redwood Project is a nonprofit initiative aimed at protecting U.S. businesses from cybersecurity threats. Alex emphasizes the need for a stronger relationship between the private and public sectors, stating, “We can have the most positive outcomes from fixing the relationship between the private and public sectors.”
At the heart of the Redwood Project is the concept of a “Federal Cyber Enterprise.” This idea seeks to redefine how cybersecurity is approached within the government and how it collaborates with private companies. “We need to re-approach how cybersecurity is ultimately approached in the overall government,” Alex explains.
One of the significant challenges today is the fragmented nature of cybersecurity efforts. Alex points out, “We have not scaled cybersecurity effectively,” leading to duplicated efforts, conflicting strategies, and wasted resources. This fragmentation leaves businesses vulnerable, particularly small and mid-sized ones, which are often targeted in a “spray and pray” approach by adversaries.
A major issue in the collaboration between public and private sectors is the lack of effective intelligence sharing. Alex notes that companies often hesitate to share information with the FBI due to fear of scrutiny from legal teams. “Every single time the answer has been no for the sake of they don’t want to invite authoritative scrutiny,” he explains.
To move forward, Alex proposes a more business-led cybersecurity council, allowing industry leaders to set priorities and collaborate effectively with government agencies. “Government’s here to work for us,” he asserts, emphasizing the need for a shift in perspective.
Alex believes that starting with critical infrastructure sectors, such as healthcare and financial services, can lead to better collaboration and security outcomes. “We need to get leaders from those spaces together to agree on priorities,” he states, highlighting the importance of a unified front in defending national security.
For individual businesses, Alex offers practical advice: “Make yourself a harder target.” Many small to mid-sized businesses underestimate their vulnerability, thinking they won’t attract attention. However, attackers often target soft targets indiscriminately. “If you reuse passwords and they get hacked, you’re an easy target,” he warns.
As the Redwood Project continues its mission, Alex emphasizes the importance of collaboration between sectors, refining policies, and effectively utilizing existing resources like NIST and CISA. “We need to approach it in more of an enterprise viewpoint,” he concludes, advocating for a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity.
In a world where cyber threats are ever evolving, the vision of a unified Federal Cyber Enterprise represents a bold step toward safeguarding American businesses and, ultimately, national security. With collaboration, shared intelligence, and proactive measures, we can build a more resilient cyber landscape.
For more information about the SafeHouse Initiative and how you can protect your organization, visit safehouseinitiative.org.
