Episode 23 - Chip Bircher: Cybersecurity Leader, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and Information Warfare Expert
COL Chip Bircher, USA (Ret.): Cybersecurity Leader, CTO, and Information Warfare Expert
In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, I sit down with Chip Bircher—Chief Technology Officer and Acting Head of Sales at SOFTwarfare®, a Kansas City-based cyber defense software manufacturer.
Before entering the corporate sector, he served 28 years in the U.S. Army as a senior leader and expert in strategic communication and information warfare, culminating as Director of the Army’s Information Operations Proponent and Force Modernization Proponent Center. He also served as the founding director of the Army’s Electronic Warfare Proponent, led information operations and strategic communication programs in Afghanistan, and oversaw the Army’s cyberspace capability requirements.
In this episode, Chip shares:
His journey from ROTC to leading in both the military and cybersecurity sectors
What cognitive warfare is—and how it’s influencing global security and daily life
Lessons from commanding strategic communications and information warfare operations
How technology is transforming the way we approach national security
The cyber threats and innovations reshaping business, defense, and society
Advice for the next generation of leaders in cyber and defense
Plus so much more!
Whether you’re a cybersecurity professional, a defense leader, or just curious about how technology and strategy intersect in modern warfare, this conversation delivers insights you won’t want to miss.
About the Guest:
Chip Bircher is Chief Technology Officer and Acting Head of Sales for SOFTwarfare, LLC, leveraging his vast experience in cyberspace operations, information warfare, cognitive security, and financial services technology and operations to lead SOFTwarfare’s technology development efforts and integrate development efforts across all business verticals to drive strategic growth.
Prior to joining SOFTwarfare, Chip led a financial service industry and technology advisory business team providing mentorship, advice and deep research expertise for 200+ clients. Prior to that, Chip was the Chief Operating Officer for a stand-alone strategic insurance business unit with over $30BN assets under management, where he led operational, technology, and cultural Transformations.
Chip retired from the Army in 2017 as the Service’s senior leader in Information Operations, responsible for all requirements determination and capability delivery. Over the course of his 28-year career, Chip led information operations and strategic communications programs in Afghanistan at the Operational and Strategic levels, was the founding director of the Army’s Electronic Warfare and Cyberspace Operations capability development organization, and led the teams that produced the Army’s doctrine for Electronic Warfare, Cyberspace Operations, and Information Operations. Prior to retiring, Chip led the Operational Level of War study team chartered by the Chief of Staff of the Army to examine Russian New Generation Warfare and its implication on the future of the U.S. Army.
Chip has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina; a Master of Arts degree in Computer Resource and Information Management from Webster University; and a Master of Science Degree in Strategy and Leadership from the U.S. Army War College.
Catch the podcast episode online:
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