JANUS Associates is a trusted cybersecurity and risk management firm helping public and private sector organizations secure their critical systems, protect sensitive data, and meet complex regulatory requirements. The leadership team brings decades of experience in information security, IT risk, compliance, and business continuity, guiding clients across government, healthcare, education, critical infrastructure, and commercial markets.
LinkedIn
Patricia Fisher is the Chief Executive Officer and President of JANUS Associates, which she founded in 1988 as one of the first independent firms in the United States dedicated to information risk management, IT controls, cybersecurity, and business continuity for government and industry. She brings more than 32 years of leadership in information security and technology, spanning technical and executive roles across global enterprises and highly regulated environments.
Under Ms. Fisher’s leadership, JANUS has grown from a startup into a top-rated cybersecurity, privacy, IV&V, and regulatory compliance consultancy serving more than 100 federal and state agencies, critical infrastructure operators, K–12 and higher education institutions, not-for-profits, and commercial clients across diverse verticals. Her work emphasizes measurable risk reduction, pragmatic security governance, and long-term client partnerships.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Fisher designed and managed enterprise applications and architectures, oversaw IBM’s accounting technology processes, and directed large IBM data centers. She served as Executive Assistant to IBM’s Chief Information Officer and led Information Security and Business Continuity Programs for IBM’s Latin American and Canadian operations. She has advised numerous state and federal officials and has served on the audit committee of the New York City Housing Authority as its IT and security expert.
Ms. Fisher sits on the Board of the Connecticut Technology Council (CTC), founded CTC’s Cyber Security Task Force, and has served on the International Information Security Standards guidance board. She is also a member of InfraGard and the New York Electronic Crimes Task Force. Ms. Fisher holds a B.A. from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Economics and an M.B.A. from Syracuse University, along with post-master’s work in Computer Science at Pennsylvania State University. She holds ESCA, CGEIT, CRISC, and MBCI certifications, and is a Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE). Outside of work, she enjoys playing piano, hiking, and spending time with her family.
Lyle A. Liberman – Chief Operating Officer
LinkedIn
Lyle A. Liberman is the Chief Operating Officer of JANUS Associates, responsible for day-to-day operations, physical security, and corporate real estate, as well as enabling the firm’s delivery of high-impact cybersecurity and risk management engagements. As an ECSA, with more than 20 years of senior management experience in physical and logical (cyber) security, he brings a practical, operations-focused perspective to complex security challenges.
Since joining JANUS in 2005, Mr. Liberman has helped scale the firm’s services and client base, including work with critical infrastructure, government agencies, and commercial enterprises. Earlier, he worked with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence–driven video analytics designed to monitor multiple live video feeds and generate real-time alerts based on user-defined activities, now deployed in federal facilities, airports, critical infrastructure, and high-profile corporate environments.
Mr. Liberman collaborates closely with law enforcement and industry alliances to strengthen clients’ security posture. He has worked with the FBI’s New Haven Cyber Task Force on behalf of JANUS clients and is a member of ASIS International (the American Society for Industrial Security), NYC InfraGard, and the NY/NJ Electronic Crimes Task Force, a partnership between the U.S. Secret Service, law enforcement, and the private sector. He is also a charter member of the Connecticut Technology Council’s Cyber Security Task Force and the Stamford Initiative North East Cyber Council.
Away from the office, he is an avid cook and coffee roaster, enjoys time with his grandchildren and dogs, and tends to his perennial gardens.
Adam Fisher, Chief Technology Officer
LinkedIn
Adam Fisher is the Chief Technology Officer of JANUS Associates, overseeing internal IT and telecommunications infrastructure and leading all technical operations, including the firm’s penetration testing and technical assessment teams. Since joining JANUS in 1999, he has focused on building resilient, secure environments that support both the firm’s internal operations and the complex needs of its clients.
Early in his tenure, Mr. Fisher led the development of BioGate™ (BioGate), an enterprise-level biometric security application approved for use by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, reflecting his deep experience in high-assurance security solutions. Today, he directs the JANUS Technical and Penetration Testing Team, delivering application security assessments, infrastructure testing, and advanced vulnerability analysis to help clients identify and remediate cyber risk before it can be exploited.
Prior to joining JANUS, Mr. Fisher worked for Raytheon on the Patriot Missile System, gaining exposure to mission-critical, defense-grade technologies. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from Boston University and is an experienced application security tester. Mr. Fisher is a certified Offensive Security Wireless Professional (OSWP), Certified Security Analyist (ECSA) and a Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE). When not working with clients and engineering teams, he enjoys hiking, brewing award-winning beer, and restoring his classic car.
Jeannette Kearny, Proposal Manager
LinkedIn
Jeannette Kearny serves as Proposal Manager at JANUS Associates, where she oversees the full proposal lifecycle, from opportunity review and requirements analysis through content development, formatting, and submission. Since joining JANUS in 2004, she has supported the firm’s pursuit of federal, state, and commercial engagements, ensuring proposals clearly communicate JANUS’s strengths in cybersecurity consulting, IT risk assessment, compliance, and related services.
Ms. Kearny draws on more than three decades of administrative and documentation experience in legal, medical, and professional services environments. Before joining JANUS, she worked as a Legal Secretary at Slover & Loftus, LLP and as an Administrative Assistant/Medical Secretary at Georgetown University Medical Center, where she honed her skills in precision, confidentiality, and process management.
Based in New Mexico, Ms. Kearny is known for her meticulous attention to detail, adept writing and coordination skills, and ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines in support of strategic pursuits. She studied Liberal Studies at Georgetown University, grounding her work in clear communication and organized, client-focused documentation.
Christopher Kniffin, Director
Schedule a Meeting | LinkedIn
Chris serves as a Director at JANUS Associates, where he leads business development and strategic marketing initiatives for one of the most established cybersecurity consultancies in the United States. His work includes shaping go-to-market strategies, expanding key accounts, and supporting the introduction and growth of offerings such as virtual CISO services that help clients strengthen their security posture and governance.
Mr. Kniffin is a technology marketing specialist with deep experience in cybersecurity services and enterprise application software, as well as in organizing effective sales disciplines and account strategies. Since joining JANUS in 2017, he has leveraged his background in financial services, insurance, and technology to connect complex security capabilities to practical business outcomes for clients.
Before JANUS, Mr. Kniffin held senior sales and leadership roles at multiple technology and financial services firms, including Seclore, Attachmate, TIBCO Software (via Proginet), Advanced Financial Applications, Avistar Communications, Boston Institutional Services, and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Across these roles he consistently delivered multi-million-dollar deals, introduced new products to market, and built distribution strategies and partnerships that significantly increased market reach and revenue.
Mr. Kniffin is a graduate of Boston University’s School of Public Communications and attended Deerfield Academy. He has also held securities registrations (Series 7 and 63) and has been active in professional and community organizations, including serving as President of the Stamford Sailing Association; outside of work, he is an avid blue-water sailing enthusiast.
Philip Massa, Director
Request A Consultation | LinkedIn
For more than 30 years throughout his career, Philip has been instrumental in engaging with new and existing customers, focusing on guiding those on the proper solutions for the outcome the customer desires or needs. Acting as an information conduit between technical and non-technical people to make sure the correct solution is acquired, he is responsible for guiding complex cybersecurity and risk management engagements from initial assessments through project completion.
Mr. Massa partners with leaders in government, education, healthcare, and commercial sectors to design and oversee programs in areas such as IT risk assessment, regulatory compliance, security awareness training, tabletop exercises and security program development. He focuses on aligning technical recommendations with business priorities so organizations can implement sustainable controls, improve audit readiness, and demonstrate continuous improvement.
Ongoing follow-up is key to the success of his customers.
Strategic Partnerships
Partnering with JANUS Associates makes strong business sense for organizations that require proven cybersecurity, risk management, and compliance expertise. Since 1988, JANUS has built strategic alliances with both small and large organizations to pursue complex engagements, expand capabilities, and consistently deliver high-quality outcomes for clients.
JANUS maintains excellent qualifications and impeccable references across all core service areas, including cybersecurity consulting, IT risk assessment, advanced penetration testing, data protection, and regulatory compliance. JANUS holds numerous federal and state certifications, a GSA contract, and multiple state contracts, providing a trusted vehicle for the public sector. Commercial clients that require experienced, vetted partners also trust our team of experts.
JANUS actively teams with other firms as either a prime contractor or subcontractor to address sophisticated security, privacy, IV&V, and compliance RFPs. Whether supporting large-scale transformation initiatives or targeted assessments, teaming with JANUS results in clear communication, shared accountability, measurable results, and winning proposals.
For more information or to explore teaming opportunities with JANUS Associates, contact Lyle Liberman, COO, today.
