Isaiah “Ike” Rivers is the chief security officer at Astranis and an NISPPAC industry spokesperson
For the past four years, I have had the privilege of serving as a NISPPAC Industry Spokesperson Member, including the last three years as the NISPPAC Industry Spokesperson. My term comes to an end September 30, 2026, and as I reflect on the experience, one thing stands out: balancing that responsibility with my role as Chief Security Officer for the Institute for Defense Analyses 2017-2022 and now Astranis Space Technologies Corp. 2025- present has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
The two roles may appear very different. One requires me to lead a security program inside a rapidly growing commercial space company supporting critical space systems, satellite operations and ground infrastructure. The other requires me to help represent the collective voice of industry and engage directly with government leaders on issues affecting the National Industrial Security Program. These two roles have complemented each other.
As a CSO, I see every day how policy decisions made in Washington, DC translate into real requirements for companies trying to protect classified information, secure their people and facilities, manage cyber and physical risks, and move at the speed required by today’s national security mission.
As NISPPAC Industry Spokesperson, I have had the opportunity to take those real-world experiences back to government—not simply to identify challenges, but to help develop solutions.
That has been one of the most valuable lessons of my time on NISPPAC Industry: industry and government are not on opposite sides of the table. We are on the same mission, and we are indeed better-together.
There are certainly moments when balancing the two hats has been difficult. Leading a security organization demands immediate attention to the issues in front of you. Representing industry requires listening, collaboration, preparation and the ability to step back and look at the broader picture.
But those responsibilities reinforced an important principle for me: effective security is not about checking boxes. It is about understanding the mission, managing risk and building relationships with government and industry partners that allow security to move at mission speed.
Over the past four years, I have seen tremendous dedication from both government and industry partners who genuinely want to make the system better. I have also seen the value of early engagement, transparency and honest dialogue. When industry has a seat at the table and government is willing to listen, we can identify problems earlier and develop solutions that work in the real world.
As I approach the end of my NISPPAC Industry term, I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as a voice for industry with phenomenal group of former and current NISPPAC Industry Members. I am especially proud of the relationships built across the NISPPAC, ISOO, DoW, DCSA, all the IC elements, Industry, but most importantly the men and women of the Armed Forces who sacrifice their lives day in and day out so we can have the freedoms that we have everyday.
My CSO role at Astranis Space Technologies Corp. will continue, and so will my commitment to protecting the mission and the Warfighter. While I will no longer wear the NISPPAC Industry Spokesperson hat after September 30, the lessons from these four years will stay with me forever.
Ultimately, both roles have reinforced the same belief: security is strongest when government and industry engage as partners, communicate openly and never lose sight of the mission we are protecting.