Protecting the River of Data: Modern Cybersecurity Leadership in Tribal Government

In this episode of the TribalHub Podcast, host Olivia Fellows interviews Preston Soke, Manager of Information System Security for the Gila River Indian Community, about practical cybersecurity leadership and strategy during Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Preston highlights the importance of making security engaging by framing every employee as an extension of the security team, using targeted videos, non-technical language, and rapid communication to protect vital tribal services and data. He covers key operational priorities, including multi-factor authentication, endpoint encryption, and the phased rollout of zero trust, and looks ahead to emerging threats like post-quantum encryption. Reflecting on his career, Preston draws a powerful connection between cybersecurity and data sovereignty, describing his team as modern-day warriors dedicated to safeguarding their community’s "river of data."