Shawn Whiteside has announced his new role on the Steering Committee for the Critical Infrastructure Research Forum (CIRF) at Sam Houston State University’s Institute for Homeland Security. In his capacity as Steering Committee member, Whiteside will collaborate closely with industry and academic partners to address pressing challenges and knowledge gaps within critical infrastructure protection. CIRF is designed as a collaborative forum to advance understanding of infrastructure vulnerabilities and develop strategic, actionable solutions to enhance resilience across sectors critical to national security and economic stability.
The CIRF, part of Sam Houston State University’s Institute for Homeland Security, is a forum that brings together leaders from government, industry, and academia to research and propose solutions for critical infrastructure protection (CIP) issues. By engaging with stakeholders across public and private sectors, CIRF aims to produce knowledge and research tailored to the practical needs of industries and institutions safeguarding key elements of the nation’s infrastructure. As a member of the steering committee, Whiteside will work to identify gaps in infrastructure security knowledge and contribute to the development of initiatives that help mitigate risks in energy, transportation, cybersecurity, and other vital areas.
Whiteside is highly respected in the field, with extensive experience in government, maritime security, emergency response, and international relations. His background spans multiple areas crucial to national and global security, including crisis management, strategic planning, and intelligence-driven operations. As an innovative strategist, Whiteside has been recognized for his ability to build relationships across government, private sectors, and international organizations, leading cross-functional teams to create impactful, data-informed security solutions. He holds expertise in maritime security, government relations, emergency management, and has led collaborations with agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and other U.S. federal institutions, as well as international partners.
In addition to his new role with CIRF, Whiteside serves as the Executive Director and Chair of the Board of the Maritime Transportation System Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MTS-ISAC). His work with MTS-ISAC involves leading efforts to enhance security and resilience within maritime transportation by facilitating information sharing, situational awareness, and response coordination across the sector.
With a Top Secret security clearance and CI polygraph, Whiteside brings a robust background in secure information handling, cyber strategy, and intelligence. His role on the CIRF Steering Committee is expected to support CIRF’s mission to advance critical infrastructure research through innovative approaches, bridging industry insights with strategic research, and fostering collaboration to protect the nation’s most essential assets.