News Archives - Tyto Athene

Tyto Athene CEO Dennis Kelly Featured on iHeart Radio’s “CEOs You Should Know” with Dennis Glasgow

Casey Barnett on April 14, 2025

Tyto Athene CEO Dennis Kelly was recently featured on iHeart Radio’s CEOs You Should Know—a regional broadcast and digital series profiling business leaders shaping the D.C. area economy. Hosted by Dennis Glasgow, this weekly segment gives listeners a closer look at the people and companies driving innovation, culture, and growth across the region.

A Conversation About Mission, Innovation, and Leadership

In his interview, Dennis shares his journey from Navy sonar technician to five-time CEO—highlighting how his experience in uniform laid the groundwork for a leadership style rooted in trust, accountability, and mission alignment.

Today, as CEO of Tyto Athene, Dennis leads a team that supports global federal and defense agencies with secure, modern IT and communications infrastructure—delivering solutions where they matter most.

“What attracted me to Tyto was the focus on the mission. This is a company that supports warfighters, analysts, and decision-makers with secure, modern, and effective technology. That’s what gets me up in the morning.”

Tyto Athene: A Federal Tech Partner with a Difference

While CEOs You Should Know isn’t a GovCon-specific show, Dennis used the platform to spotlight how Tyto Athene is helping government customers modernize critical operations in a time of rapid technological change:

Network Modernization & Enterprise IT – Building resilient, mission-ready infrastructure
Cybersecurity Services – Now including SOC-as-a-Service, following the acquisition of The 9th Way Group
Domain Expertise – Combining technical talent with deep understanding of federal, defense, and national security missions

“You need more than just smart technologists. You need people who understand how to apply those solutions in the real-world scenarios our customers face.”

A Workplace People Want to Be Part Of

Dennis also spoke to Tyto’s unique workplace culture, emphasizing flexibility, collaboration, and purpose-driven work. Rather than mandate return-to-office, the company has focused on creating an environment that draws people in—physically and culturally.

“People want to be here. That’s the kind of workplace we’ve built—and it shows in how we collaborate, innovate, and grow.”

Community-Focused, Mission-Driven

Dennis also highlighted Tyto Athene’s long-standing commitment to philanthropy—particularly organizations supporting veterans and military families, such as Fisher House Foundation and Boulder Crest. With over $600,000 raised for Fisher House through Tyto’s annual golf tournament and ongoing campaigns, the company’s dedication to service extends far beyond the contract.

Listen to the Interview

Catch the full conversation to hear how Dennis Kelly is leading Tyto Athene into its next phase of innovation and growth.

Listen Now

Explore Careers at Tyto Athene

Tyto Athene on The Ex Terra Podcast: Securing Space Operations Through IT Modernization

Casey Barnett on April 8, 2025

Cybersecurity, network modernization, and systems integration are essential across every industry and space is no exception. In a recent episode of The Ex Terra Podcast, host Tom Patton sat down with Victoria Da Poian, Tyto Athene’s Lead Data Scientist, and Peter O’Donoghue, Chief Technology Officer at Tyto Athene, to explore how Tyto’s capabilities are shaping the future of space operations.

“Everything is a set of either always connected or ephemerally connected things that actually produce or create data,” says Peter. The key to mission success is mastering how to turn that complex data into clear, actionable decisions, leveraging real-time insights and advanced analytics to gain a strategic advantage.

As O’Donoghue explains, “We need to be able to understand that data and exploit it to actually generate better mission outcomes.”

With a team of highly cleared experts and cutting-edge modeling & simulation (M&S) capabilities, Tyto Athene enhances satellite operations, situational awareness, and mission execution. By integrating robust cybersecurity, AI-driven analytics, and automation, Tyto accelerates innovation in space operations, helping to strengthen national security and maintain U.S. dominance in the final frontier.

Listen to the full conversation on The Ex Terra Podcast

AI in Orbit: How Tyto Experts Are Powering the Next Era of Space Discovery

Casey Barnett on April 3, 2025

When it comes to space exploration, data is the new rocket fuel. Artificial Intelligence is the engine. In a newly published article in SpaceNews, Tyto Athene’s Lead Data Scientist, Victoria Da Poian, and Lead Software Engineer, Eric Lyness, explore how AI and machine learning are transforming mission planning, in-orbit decision-making, and system autonomy for space operations.

This is a must-read for anyone tracking how federal missions are adapting to real-time data environments, from low-earth orbit to the tactical edge.

What You’ll Learn from the Article

How onboard AI enables autonomous spacecraft to process data and respond in real-time
Why mission-specific machine learning models are critical for adapting to complex and unpredictable environments
Where the convergence of AI, data, and cybersecurity is shaping the next chapter of government-led space discovery

These insights come from Tyto’s space team members supporting NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. They contribute to the Planetary Environments Laboratory at GSFC and are involved in the ExoMars and Dragonfly missions.

Meet the Authors Behind the Insight

Victoria Da Poian and Eric Lyness are part of Tyto Athene’s space team, delivering cutting-edge innovation in mission enablement and applied AI for federal clients. Their work bridges the gap between research and deployment, helping agencies move from experimental models to real-world autonomous systems.

Follow them on LinkedIn to stay connected with their work:

Explore the Full Article in SpaceNews

This piece offers a forward-looking perspective on how data and AI are reshaping what’s possible in space and across all domains where autonomy, speed, and situational awareness are mission-critical.

Read the full article: SpaceNews: Data and Artificial Intelligence – The Fuel Behind Space Discovery

More about Tyto Athene:

Learn more about Tyto’s Mission Enablement capabilities and how our Space team supports data-driven autonomy for federal missions.

Hector Pelayo Named One of WashingtonExec’s Top Space Execs to Watch in 2025

Casey Barnett on March 26, 2025

Tyto Athene is proud to announce that Hector Pelayo has been recognized as one of WashingtonExec’s Top Space Executives to Watch in 2025. This prestigious recognition highlights leaders who are making a significant impact in the space industry, driving innovation, and shaping the future of mission-critical technologies.

In his role, Hector has been instrumental in unifying multiple business units into a single, strategically aligned Space, Air & Sea Group. This consolidation enhances Tyto Athene’s ability to deliver comprehensive cybersecurity, enterprise IT, and networking solutions to key clients, including the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, intelligence agencies, and other strategic partners.

Under Hector’s leadership, Tyto Athene has expanded its space business portfolio, entered critical markets within the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility, and leveraged major Navy contract vehicles to drive growth and mission success. His efforts have positioned the company to better support defense and civilian customers in the evolving space and technology landscape.

Hector’s commitment to fostering a positive work environment and investing in employee development has been a cornerstone of his leadership philosophy. He believes that prioritizing both people and clients cultivates loyalty and strengthens the brand, driving long-term success.

We congratulate Hector on this well-earned achievement and look forward to his continued leadership in delivering cutting-edge solutions for the space and defense communities.

Read more about Hector’s recognition here: WashingtonExec Article

Tyto Athene Named a 2025 Best Place to Work in DC

Casey Barnett on March 12, 2025

Tyto Athene is honored to be recognized by the Washington Business Journal as one of the 2025 Best Places to Work in the Washington, D.C. area. This accolade reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive and dynamic work environment where our employees can thrive.

“This award is especially meaningful because it’s based on direct feedback from our team,” says Tyto Vice President of People & Culture, Davida Gray. “It reinforces our belief that when we invest in our people – through benefits, career development, and a culture of belonging – everyone succeeds.”

Our employees are the cornerstone of our success, driving innovation and excellence in every project. We believe that investing in our team’s growth and well-being not only enhances their professional development but also strengthens our ability to deliver exceptional results for our customers.

This recognition comes at a time of significant growth for Tyto Athene. Over the past year, we have expanded our capabilities through strategic acquisitions, including the integration of MindPoint Group, a leader in cybersecurity solutions, Microtel LLC, a space systems software engineering firm, and Key Solutions Inc. (KSI), a renowned bid and proposal consulting firm. These additions have enriched our service offerings and provided our employees with new opportunities for collaboration and professional advancement.

We are proud of the sense of belonging and empowering culture we have cultivated at Tyto Athene. This award is a testament to the dedication and passion of our team members, who bring that dedication and passion to both the company and to the customers’ missions we proudly support each day.

As we look to the future, we remain committed to nurturing a workplace where innovation, collaboration, and employee satisfaction are at the forefront. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our employees for their invaluable contributions and to the Washington Business Journal for this recognition.

Finding Agility in Post Quantum Encryption

tytodevsite on December 2, 2024

Read the latest from Tyto Athene CTO, Peter O’Donoghue, in Cyber Defense Magazine, featuring insights on the urgent need for organizations to embrace post-quantum cryptographic solutions. In his article, “Finding Agility in Post-Quantum Encryption,” Mr. O’Donoghue explores how these advanced encryption methods are essential for future-proofing cybersecurity.

Organizations today face the very real threat of “harvest now, decrypt later,” where adversaries collect encrypted data now to decrypt it once quantum computing becomes viable. Mr. O’Donoghue explains how the latest NIST PQC standards are paving the way for stronger cybersecurity by providing a robust framework for implementing post-quantum cryptographic algorithms. These standards are crucial for safeguarding national security and ensuring compliance with evolving cybersecurity regulations.

Mr. O’Donoghue also addresses the practical challenges of implementing PQC in complex systems and offers strategies to overcome these hurdles. From integrating new cryptographic solutions into existing infrastructures to managing the transition period, his insights are invaluable for organizations looking to stay ahead of the curve.

EDR and Cyber Logging: Preparing for the Next Big Cybersecurity Guidance

tytodevsite on November 22, 2024

Tyto Athene’s Group President of Federal Civilian, Patti Chanthaphone, details how cyber logging and EDR can prepare organizations for the next phase of federal compliance requirements on Nextgov/FCW.

Federal agencies are under immense pressure to modernize their cybersecurity defenses. One of the key aspects of this modernization is the implementation of comprehensive enterprise logging. However, the costs associated with hardware, software, and labor for effective logging can be staggering, with estimates reaching nearly $200 million for large agencies. Despite these challenges, proper log retention and analysis are indispensable for detecting intrusions, mitigating ongoing threats, and conducting thorough post-incident investigations.

Automation plays a pivotal role in enhancing EDR processes. By integrating automated triggers and sophisticated data management platforms, agencies can significantly improve their incident response capabilities. This proactive approach not only strengthens cybersecurity defenses but also ensures timely information sharing, which is crucial for staying ahead of potential threats and complying with evolving government mandates.

As the cybersecurity threat landscape continues to grow in complexity, federal agencies must prioritize the adoption of advanced logging and EDR solutions. By doing so, they can enhance their ability to detect and respond to cyber threats effectively, ultimately protecting sensitive information and maintaining the integrity of federal networks.

Post Quantum Encryption: Defense Against the Dark Arts

tytodevsite on October 10, 2024

Listen to the Federal Tech Podcast, hosted by John Gilroy, with guests Peter O’Donoghue and Richard Wheeler from Tyto Athene, discussing NIST, Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), and the future of federal agency security.

As quantum computing rapidly advances, the threat posed by a fault-tolerant quantum computer to existing cryptographic algorithms means that agencies need to start preparing today for tomorrow’s challenges. As a result, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released the first three finalized post-quantum encryption standards, designed to safeguard data against emerging quantum threats. With these standards—FIPS 203, 204, and 205—organizations can test their ability to secure encryption and digital signatures against quantum-powered attack.

By the time these fault-tolerant quantum computers are operational, it will be too late to retrofit adequate security measures. Instead, to mitigate operational and security risks, organizations should adhere to a phased approach with the resources at hand: discovery, testing, validation, piloting, and deployment. Upgrading to achieve interoperability with legacy systems will necessitate a staged approach, aligned with budget cycles and the security level of the data involved.

To address the future of post-quantum resilience, consider partnering with a federal systems integrator like Tyto Athene to establish a Crypto Center of Excellence that manages cryptographic algorithms across the enterprise. Agencies must adopt a proactive approach, building an agile system with the ability to shift as future guidance and quantum-resistant algorithms evolve.

Listen to the podcast to hear Peter O’Donoghue and Richard Wheeler answer essential questions about PQC, what it means for the future of cybersecurity, and how Tyto Athene can help your organization prepare.

Listen Now

Dennis Kelly’s Blueprint for Building Billion-Dollar GovCons

tytodevsite on August 23, 2024

HERNDON, Va., August 23, 2024 – Tyto Athene’s CEO, Dennis Kelly, has been featured in Washington Technology’s latest podcast episode, “Dennis Kelly’s Blueprint for Building a Billion-Dollar GovCon.”

In this insightful discussion, Dennis dives into the strategies and perspectives driving Tyto Athene, LLC‘s success and growth as a Federal Systems Integrator. His leadership and innovative approach are truly shaping the future of our industry.

We’re excited about what’s ahead for Team Tyto! Check out the full episode here: LISTEN NOW