JACKSONVILLE, FL—A Jacksonville-based cyber security professional has been named the recipient of a national award for his efforts to help protect local organizations from cyber threats. During a ceremony held at FBI Jacksonville headquarters Friday morning, October 6, 2017, Tommy Desquitado, Senior Cyber Security Architect for Palo Alto Networks, was presented with the 2017 InfraGard Meeting the Challenge Award by Special Agent in Charge Charles P. Spencer.

Desquitado was nominated by members of the Jacksonville Chapter of InfraGard for his outstanding efforts to advance communication between law enforcement and cyber professionals in the private sector. Over the past year, Desquitado helped develop educational programs and information sharing events that have become instrumental to increasing awareness of, and response to, emerging threats facing local businesses and academic institutions.

“Every day, we face challenges in protecting our nation’s infrastructure,” said SAC Spencer, “and InfraGard members like Tommy Desquitado play a critical role in the FBI’s effort to keep the public informed about those threats.”

“This was for the greater good,” said Desquitado, a former FBI contract employee. “I know first-hand how important it is for law enforcement and businesses to work together to combat ever-changing cyber threats. When we share information, we are all better protected.”

About InfraGard

The InfraGard Program began in 1996 as a collaborative effort between private sector professionals and FBI Cleveland. The FBI later expanded the program to each of the now 56 field offices. InfraGard provides members with opportunities to promote the physical and cyber security of their organizations, and access to a trusted, national network of subject matter experts and law enforcement personnel. For more information about InfraGard, please visit www.infragard.org.