Prior to his current position, Samuel served as the State of Kansas Director of Critical Infrastructure and Operational Technology. During his time with the state, he was instrumental in developing the States First Operational Technology program for Water/Wastewater, winning multiple awards across the US.

Samuel Alva also served as the states Protective Security Advisor (PSA) and Cybersecurity Advisor (CSA)for the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).  As a PSA/CSA, Samuel contributed to the development of the national risk picture by assisting with the identification, assessment, monitoring, and minimizing of Physical/Cyber risk to critical infrastructure.  Samuel engages as a physical and cyber security advisor with Federal, State, local, tribal and territorial, government mission partners and members of the private sector stakeholder communities.  PSA/CSA’s served as the link to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) infrastructure protection resources; coordinate security and resiliency assessments, training, and provide a vital link for information sharing in steady-state and during incident response.

During his role with CISA, he assisted in developing multiple Cyber-Physical courses and training modules. He assisted CISA in developing the agencies’ first convergence program, bridging together cyber and physical disciplines into one converged program. He also assisted in developing four essential cyber-physical systems courses, which enhanced CISA’s mission in protecting cyber-physical critical infrastructure across the United States. His subject matter expertise in Operational Technology (OT) allowed him to work with other agencies to include the EPA, which he assisted the EPA in developing the EPA’s first Drinking Water OT assessment checklist, training over 200 EPA inspectors across the US. 

Prior to DHS, Samuel worked in the civilian sector as director of business development and weapons and tactics. His roles in included developing new and continuing business in the State of Kansas. He also conducted numerous risk and vulnerability assessments to include physical and cyber infrastructure analysis. Samuel has expertise in electronic security to include surveillance systems, Access Control, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Advanced Sensor Technology. Samuel also teaches electronic security fundamentals at Wichita States University, it’s a first of its kind, bridging the gap between cyber and physical security.    

Samuel is also a retired member of the Kansas Air National Guard, with over 21 years of service. Samuel served many roles in Air Force and Kansas Air National Guard to include Security Forces Team Member, Phoenix Raven Team Member, and a Member of 177^th Information Aggressor Squadron. As a Phoenix Raven, Samuel helped detect, deter and counter threats to AMC aircraft by performing close-in aircraft security, advising aircrews on force protection measures. The 177^th Information Aggressor Squadron is NSA-certified Red Team responsible for conducting full-spectrum threat assessments to identify and mitigate physical and network vulnerabilities for participating Department of Defense units.

Samuel has earned an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice from the Community College of the

Air Force, Associate of Applied Science in Information Systems Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Security Management from Southwestern College, and a Master of Arts degree in Security Administration from Southwestern College.