Fred Clayton serves as Chief Information Security Officer at Akumin, the second-largest radiology service provider in the United States. With a career that began in the U.S. Army, Fred transitioned from highly technical and leadership roles in military cyber operations into senior executive positions in the private sector. His journey includes managing threat intelligence, building cybersecurity programs from the ground up, and mentoring the next generation of cyber professionals. At Akumin, Fred leads the cybersecurity and risk management efforts across a national healthcare network, applying a unique blend of military precision and adaptive leadership to protect critical health infrastructure.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- Fred’s unique military-to-civilian transition into cybersecurity leadership
- Why veterans bring unmatched value to cyber roles in the private sector
- The difference between offensive and defensive cyber mindsets
- How discipline and calmness under pressure translates into cybersecurity success
- Fred’s advice for new professionals entering the security field
- What it takes to lead and build effective security teams in healthcare
- The importance of continuous learning in a rapidly evolving threat landscape
In this episode…
Fred Clayton shares the story of how his career started not in a university, but through military service. After joining the Army to see the world, he was thrust into a technical role that would eventually evolve into a two-decade journey through networking, systems administration, cyber operations, and leadership. He became one of the early architects of cybersecurity for the Army when U.S. Cyber Command was just forming, laying the groundwork for today’s cyber defense strategy.
After 25 years, Fred made the leap to the private sector, bypassing the typical post-military government route. He explains the fear and uncertainty of civilian transition, and how his leadership and technical chops earned him a fast-track into financial services, then healthcare, and now his current CISO role. Throughout, he emphasizes that success is built on critical thinking, structure, mentorship, and the ability to stay calm when it matters most.
Fred also delves into his current hiring philosophy. For newcomers, he encourages curiosity and humility—"be a sponge." For seasoned professionals, he offers autonomy but expects high standards. He also speaks passionately about mentoring veterans and supporting women in STEM, driven by his personal connections and commitment to service beyond the battlefield.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Matthew Connor on LinkedIn
CyberLynx
Fred Clayton on LinkedIn
Akumin Website
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