T. Gwyddon ‘Data’ Owen

Gwyddon (“Gwee-thin”) or ‘data’ (yes, like the character on Star Trek) is a retired Air Force Cyber Warfare Officer who’s been on the cutting edge of cyber security since 2003 and operational technology security since 2012, when his work exposed critical vulnerabilities. These revelations triggered over $1.5 billion in federal spending that year, started programs that are still running today, and at least one Presidential executive order. With over 20 years defeating nation-state adversaries across air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace—and certifications spanning every NSA Red Team and CYBERCOM offensive work role—he now brings that hard-won expertise to Tennessee’s critical infrastructure. As Director of Cyber & Technology for Universal Strategy Group, ‘data’ provides the technical backbone for Tennessee’s ambitious goal to become the most secure State in the Nation. He’s a USAF Academy and Air Force Institute of Technology grad who’s run cyber operations with every Five Eyes partner, and he understands that protecting power grids, water systems, and industrial controls requires a fundamentally different approach than traditional IT security.