This is the first of a new QualityInsider column that will discuss new practices, processes, tools, and lessons learned in what I think is the future of quality—risk management. I’ll feature quality and other professionals who use quality and risk in supply management, auditing, health care, security, and other fields. This month I focus on cyber security and ISO 27001 with an interview of cyber-security expert Ed Perkins.

Greg Hutchins: Can you tell us a little about who you are and what you do?

Ed Perkins: I’m a computer engineer. I have two master’s degrees, one in electrical engineering and one in computer science. I presently work on cyber security and cyber assurance projects for Homeland Security.

Hutchins: How does this fit into quality?

Perkins: I provide IT quality assurance and control. I use quality standards such as ISO 27001 to ensure the requisite level of assurance and control. From my point of view, information security is the most critical challenge our government, companies, and even we as individuals face today.

Hutchins: Pretty strong language. Can you elaborate?

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