Contributor: Anthony Dezonno, Chief Engineer, Boeing
In today’s high-stakes digital landscape, leadership in engineering and cybersecurity is about more than technical know-how. You need to be trusted to build systems people can trust. As integration grows more complex and security threats become more sophisticated, the organizations that thrive will be led by professionals who can navigate the space where cybersecurity and systems integration intersect.
That nexus is where real leadership shows up, not just in making decisions, but in shaping the conditions for long-term resilience.
The Systems Software Integrator (SSI) certification recognizes this challenge and helps professionals develop competencies that empower them to lead with clarity and authority. One such competency, “Project Planning and Requirements Allocation,” underscores the importance of setting the right direction before a single line of code is written or a system is deployed.
Leaders who understand this competency:
These skills aren’t just about being a good engineer; they’re about strategic leadership. When system security is rooted in well-planned integration and clearly articulated requirements, confidence ripples through the entire organization, from developers and designers to executives and end-users.
Leadership in this space also means moving beyond reactive security models and driving adoption of integration strategies that are predictable, testable, and secure by design.
By embedding SSI-aligned practices into planning and execution, technical leaders help their organizations move from risk management to mission assurance. They build credibility not only through expertise, but by delivering systems that work securely—consistently and confidently.
In a world of unknowns, lead with what you know. Lead with cybersecurity, integration, and purpose.
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Anthony Dezonno serves as Chief Engineer for Boeing’s Open Source Program Office. He specializes in intellectual property concerns surrounding engineering. He is listed as inventor in over 100 patents worldwide, and referenced in more than 2,000 patents. He has a broad skillset that includes innovation & intellectual property management, program management, project management, open source licensing, hardware engineering, systems development, engineering & supplier management, software export & import requirements.