As cyber threats evolve and technology becomes increasingly interconnected, leadership cybersecurity has never been more critical. In recognition of his commitment to advancing both security excellence and community collaboration, David Samara, Redapt’s vCISO and Security Practice Director, has been named a finalist for the 2025 San Diego Business Journal (SDBJ) Cybersecurity Stewardship Award.
The award, part of the Cyber Center of Excellence (CCOE) and SDBJ’s Economic Impact Study Release & Awards Celebration taking place on November 12th, recognizes leaders across the region who are driving innovation, education, and responsible growth in cybersecurity. The timing aligns with Cybersecurity Awareness Month, underscoring the vital connection between industry leadership and community engagement in protecting the digital economy.
Why David Matters
At Redapt, David brings over two decades of experience in cybersecurity leadership, strategic advisory, and risk management. As vCISO and Security Practice Director, he has helped expand Redapt’s cybersecurity portfolio, spanning IoT/OT security, regulatory readiness, strategic advisory, infrastructure protection, and MSP/CSP cybersecurity services.
He also played a key role in Redapt’s acquisition of Ember River, a move that further strengthened the company’s managed services and security capabilities. His work supports a diverse set of organizations; from Fortune 1000 enterprises and academic institutions to municipalities and intelligence agencies.
“It’s not about just making the sale,” David says. “It’s about wanting the client to truly be better—to succeed. Stewardship means you care enough about their success to go beyond the transactional and stay engaged until they’re secure.”
Stewardship in Action
David’s approach to cybersecurity is deeply rooted in mentorship, education, and collaboration—values that extend beyond his role at Redapt. As an adjunct professor at San Diego State University (SDSU), he helps students in the Management Information Systems (MIS) program gain real-world experience by connecting them to internships funded by a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Through that partnership, 14 students have already secured three-month internships in cybersecurity and IT fields, with more on the way.
“It’s rewarding to see students gain hands-on experience,” David says. “We match them not just to companies, but to environments that fit their skills and personalities. It’s about making meaningful connections, the same kind of connections we make at Redapt for our clients.”
That same spirit of stewardship defines his client relationships. Recently, his team supported a company in the energy, oil & gas, and clean technology industry with a full NIST CSF security assessment and roadmap. Rather than delivering a list of issues and walking away, David and his team partnered with the client to prioritize and implement remediations, helping them strengthen their cybersecurity program from within.
“We don’t just identify gaps—we help close them,” David explains. “If a client needs a new policy, we’ll help write it. If they need a tool, we connect them with the right partner. Our goal is to make every client stronger than when we started.”
Redapt’s Growth & Cybersecurity Vision
Under David’s leadership, Redapt’s cybersecurity practice continues to grow as a trusted partner for organizations modernizing their security posture. His emphasis on risk-based strategy, tying cybersecurity back to business impact has helped clients better understand how to protect not just their systems, but their revenue and operations.
“Almost every process today is electronic,” he notes. “The question is, where is the risk to your business? Identify those critical pathways, then protect them based on your risk tolerance and budget. That’s stewardship; it’s practical, it’s scalable, and it makes security meaningful to the C-suite.”
This philosophy extends into Redapt’s broader strategy for secure innovation. With expertise across cloud, AI, and modern infrastructure, Redapt empowers organizations to adopt transformative technologies confidently, without compromising cybersecurity or compliance.
Regional Cybersecurity Momentum
San Diego has become one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity hubs in the United States, fueled by collaboration between academia, the private sector, and government. David’s recognition as an SDBJ finalist highlights not only his individual contributions but also Redapt’s growing influence within the regional and national cybersecurity ecosystem.
Through education, mentorship, and strategic leadership, David embodies the type of cyber stewardship that drives innovation while protecting what matters most.
“The bad guys shouldn’t win, the good guys should,” he says. “Cybersecurity is about helping honest organizations continue doing great work. It’s already hard enough to do that work without disruption.”
Looking Ahead
As the cybersecurity landscape evolves, especially amid the rise of AI, David believes the future depends on partnership, not replacement.
“AI isn’t here to replace people,” he says. “It’s here to make us better. Humans working alongside AI can identify and solve problems faster than either could alone. The key is to go forward with AI, not against it.”
Redapt congratulates David Samara on his recognition as a 2025 Cybersecurity Stewardship Award finalist. His leadership reflects the company’s mission to advance secure, scalable, and sustainable innovation for organizations everywhere.
About Redapt
Redapt is a full-service technology solutions provider helping enterprises accelerate digital transformation, from strategy and infrastructure to AI and security. To learn more about our cybersecurity and vCISO services, visit our cybersecurity solutions.
