"Not using technology in today's world means losing quality of life. My mission is to ensure everyone has access to the knowledge they need to thrive in our digital age."
Biography
Ret. Col. Nestor Lana da Silva represents the evolution of modern warfare—from traditional military operations to the invisible battlegrounds of cyberspace. With over three decades of distinguished service in the Brazilian Army, he has positioned himself at the vanguard of national cyber defense, transforming how nations protect their most critical digital infrastructure. His journey began in 1993 with a PC 386 from his mother, just before entering military service. What started as initial reluctance toward the unfriendly DOS interface evolved into an unrelenting passion for technology. This personal transformation mirrors his professional philosophy: "Not using technology in today's world means losing quality of life." From 2022 to 2024, Colonel Silva commanded the Information Technology and Communications Division at Brazil's Cyber Defense Command, orchestrating defense strategies protecting critical infrastructure spanning energy, telecommunications, water, finance, nuclear facilities, and transportation networks. His leadership proved instrumental during the 2023 national blackout, applying the military principle that "every anomaly should be treated as an attack." His international recognition came through participation in Locked Shields, the world's largest real-time cyber defense exercise, and Operation Cyber Guardian 7.0—the Southern Hemisphere's largest digital defense drill. These experiences cemented Brazil's position in international cyber defense cooperation and demonstrated his ability to operate alongside elite cyber warriors from dozens of nations. The breadth of his technical mastery spans from pioneering network implementations in the late 1990s to sophisticated web application development using PHP and MySQL. He developed custom database systems for housing management, health support coordination, procurement tracking, and financial operations—demonstrating that effective cyber defense requires understanding every layer of the technological stack. As a decorated military officer wearing five military medals—including Gold, Silver, and Bronze Aeroterrestrial Merit Medals—he brings military-grade discipline and precision to civilian cybersecurity challenges. His background as a qualified parachutist and air transport specialist reminds us that cyber warriors must possess the same courage and precision as their physical battlefield counterparts. Beyond military service, his vision extends to democratizing cybersecurity knowledge. As founder of "Minuto da Cibernética" (Cyber Minute) and Advisory Member of the Brazilian Bar Association's Cybersecurity Commission, he works tirelessly to ensure cybersecurity expertise is accessible to all Brazilians. At Tensor Security Academy, Colonel Silva brings this wealth of knowledge to organizations worldwide, sharing lessons learned from defending a nation to help enterprises build resilient cyber defense programs. His mission remains unchanged: to ensure that those he serves can operate with confidence, knowing their digital infrastructure is protected by someone who has faced the most sophisticated threats and emerged victorious.
Professional Qualifications
Core Specializations
Career Highlights & Achievements
Areas of Expertise
National Cyber Defense & Critical Infrastructure
Incident Response & Digital Forensics
Enterprise IT Infrastructure & Security
Software Development & Custom Solutions
Cybersecurity Governance & Compliance
Strategic Leadership & Communication
Professional Experience
Chief of Information Technology
Multiple Brazilian Army Organizations
1999 - 2024 (25 years across 8 organizations)Led IT operations across 8 major Brazilian Army organizations over 25 years, managing networks of 150-250+ computers, implementing cutting-edge security infrastructure, and pioneering early network implementations that laid the foundation for modern military IT systems.
Cyber Defense Command
Chief of IT & Communications Division
August 2022 - November 2024Led IT division protecting Brazil's critical national infrastructure from cyberattacks. Managed cyber defense strategies for energy, water, telecommunications, finance, nuclear, and transportation sectors.
Communications & Electronic Warfare Command
Chief of Information Technology Section
January 2019 - August 2022Headed IT operations and supervised the Cyber Force Project. Advanced Brazil's military cyber capabilities during critical development phase.
Parachute Infantry Brigade Command
Chief of IT Section
January 2016 - December 2017Managed network infrastructure of ~250 computers. Administered virtualization, email (PostFix), firewalls (IPTABLES/PfSense), proxy (SQUID), domain controllers. Developed custom databases for housing, procurement, and financial tracking.
Parachute Infantry Brigade Command
Chief of IT Section
January 2009 - January 2011Managed network infrastructure of ~250 computers. Administered virtualization, email, firewalls, proxy, file servers, and videoconference systems. Maintained web presence.
20th Parachute Logistics Battalion
Chief of IT Section
January 2008 - December 2008Managed network of ~200 computers. Installed and maintained surveillance camera systems for security operations.
Central Ammunition Depot (DCMun), Paracambi-RJ
Chief of IT Section
March 2006 - December 2006Managed network of ~150 computers. Provided technical support for ammunition shelf-life and storage control software.
Reserve Officers Training Center Porto Alegre (CPOR-PA)
Chief of IT Section
January 2004 - March 2006Managed network of ~250 computers. Maintained institutional web presence at www.cporpa.eb.mil.br.
Parachute Folding, Maintenance & Air Supply Battalion (BDOMPSA)
Chief of IT Section
January 1999 - December 2002Pioneered first network infrastructure using HUB and UTP cables. Established internet terminals and file/printer sharing at www.bdompsa.eb.mil.br.
Senior Consultant - Cybersecurity & Defense Operations
Tensor Security Academy
Providing strategic cybersecurity consulting and defense operations expertise, sharing insights from extensive military cyber defense experience to protect organizations against evolving digital threats.
Executive Director & Founder
Minuto da Cibernética
Leading cybersecurity education initiative focused on democratizing cyber knowledge and empowering professionals across Brazil at www.minutociber.com.br.
Advisory Member - Cybersecurity Commission
Brazilian Bar Association (OAB/DF)
Contributing technical and strategic analysis for digital environment protection. Participating in studies, debates, and guidance to strengthen information security and prepare organizations against current cyber threats.
Solutions & Innovation Consultant
FastHelp Information Security
Provided strategic support for enterprise digital security, conducting cyber risk mapping and proposing specialized solutions ensuring business continuity and complete operational protection.
Cyber Defense Advisor
Brazilian Army - Communications & Electronic Warfare Command
Served as Cyber Defense Advisor and Supervisor of the Cyber Force Project during strategic cyber defense initiatives.
Cyber Defense Advisor
Brazilian Army - Eastern Military Command (CML)
Served as key advisor during Federal Intervention in Rio de Janeiro, providing crucial technological support and cyber defense expertise during high-stakes national security operations.
Chief of Procurement & Contracts Section
Parachute Infantry Brigade Command
Led procurement operations for Brigade combat readiness, ensuring efficient and transparent resource allocation through rapid contract management in compliance with federal regulations.
Chief of Administrative Oversight
Parachute Folding Battalion (BDOMPSA)
Oversaw administrative operations ensuring compliance and operational efficiency during transition period.
Web Developer (PHP & MySQL)
Military Academy of Agulhas Negras (AMAN)
Developed custom web systems using Linux servers, PHP, and MySQL, including housing management database (PNR) and health support coordination system for military and academic activities.
Student - Postgraduate in Military Sciences
School of Officer Improvement (EsAO)
Completed advanced military leadership and strategic studies program at the prestigious School of Officer Improvement (Escola de Aperfeiçoamento de Oficiais).
Material Management Officer
Reserve Officers Training Center (CPOR-PA)
Responsible for material inventory, logistics coordination, and equipment management supporting training operations.
Commander - 1st Parachute Folding Platoon
Parachute Folding Battalion (BDOMPSA)
Led platoon responsible for parachute folding, aeroterrestrial equipment maintenance, cargo preparation, aircraft loading, and air drop operations at www.bdompsa.eb.mil.br.
Cadet - Bachelor of Military Sciences
Military Academy of Agulhas Negras (AMAN)
Completed four-year military officer training program earning Bachelor's degree in Military Sciences with emphasis on leadership and military administration at www.aman.eb.mil.br.
Student - Preparatory Military Education
Army Preparatory School for Cadets (EsPCEx)
Completed preparatory military education program in Campinas, São Paulo, as foundation for military career.
Education
Postgraduate Degree in Cyber Defense
Senac DF
2019 - 2020
Postgraduate Degree in Web Application Development
Uniminas EAD
2023 - 2024
Postgraduate Degree in Information Security
Uniminas EAD
2023
Postgraduate in Military Sciences (Officer Improvement Course)
School of Officer Improvement, Brazilian Army
2007
Bachelor of Military Sciences - Leadership & Military Administration
Military Academy of Agulhas Negras (AMAN)
1995 - 1998
Preparatory Military Education
Army Preparatory School for Cadets (EsPCEx)
1994
Languages
Certifications & Credentials
Public Speaking & Conferences
Government Cyber Operations Unveiled: Inside the Brazilian Army Cyber Defense Command
Tensor Security Academy Webinar - Inside National Defense
Critical Infrastructure Protection and National Cyber Defense Strategy
Cyber Guardian Exercise 7.0
Cybersecurity Operations for Large-Scale International Events
COP30 UN Climate Conference
Real-time Cyber Defense Operations and International Collaboration
Locked Shields International Cyber Defense Exercise
Legal and Technical Aspects of Cyber Defense in Critical Infrastructure
Brazilian Bar Association (OAB/DF) Cybersecurity Commission
Strategic, Governance, and Business Perspectives in Information Security
RSA Conference
Technical and Offensive Cybersecurity Operations
Black Hat Conference