Principal Technical Advisory for Cybersecurity

Raymond Resendes is the principal technical advisor for cybersecurity and an electronics engineer at the U.S. DOT Volpe Center. He is nationally recognized for his expertise in connected vehicles and vehicle automation, with a specialization in cybersecurity for transportation systems, including motor vehicles and supporting infrastructure elements.

Resendes applies his extensive understanding of cybersecurity standards, guidance, and best practices to develop tailored cybersecurity best practices for stakeholders in the transportation ecosystem, including vehicle and equipment manufacturers, infrastructure owners and operators, and end users. He has led the adaptation of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework and Privacy Framework for the Connected Vehicle Ecosystem, as well as their expansion into the complete ITS Cybersecurity Profile.

Resendes has spearheaded cybersecurity strategic research planning for the modal administrations and offices at U.S. DOT, resulting in strategic research plans that identify cybersecurity research priorities and strategies for the next five years and beyond. These strategies outline a vision to guide research priorities while facilitating coordination of transportation cybersecurity research, ultimately providing a guide for stakeholders when making decisions regarding standards, research, market development, and procurement required to minimize transportation disruptions due to a cyber incident.

He is an active leader of governmental and professional cybersecurity committees and working groups that address the knowledge gaps and research needs necessary to continue developing the standards, guidance, best practices, and requirements used to manage cybersecurity risk in the transportation sector. Resendes co-chairs the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Cybersecurity Subcommittee and is a member of several other key committees and forums. He manages the U.S. DOT Cybersecurity Community of Practice and has organized workshops among automotive vehicle manufacturers, state DOTs, and advanced technology companies.

Before his current role, Resendes served as the Executive Director of the National Capital Region Division at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, where he managed the Virginia Connected Corridor and facilitated research programs in the National Capital Region. His career includes significant contributions to NHTSA as the Chief of the Intelligent Technologies Research Division, where he managed research programs related to advanced vehicle safety technologies, developed strategies for connected vehicle safety, and coordinated international harmonization of connected vehicle research and standards. Resendes also initiated NHTSA's first activities addressing potential safety risks from vehicle electronic control systems and cybersecurity.

Earlier in his career, he worked as the Intelligent Vehicle Initiative Program Manager at U.S. DOT's ITS Joint Program Office, leading the Intelligent Vehicle Initiative in collaboration with the automotive industry to develop active safety systems. Resendes also served as an electronics engineer at the U.S. Army Combat Systems Test Activity, conducting technical testing of the U.S. Army’s first unmanned ground vehicle systems.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University.