About | Rule 56

Why Rule 56?

Rule 56 borrows its name from the United States Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 56 for Summary Judgement. The court will grant Summary Judgement only if the party "shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact" between the parties. In other words, everything is clearly understood and agreed upon, so the judge can make an informed ruling without a full jury trial. In business, Rule 56 aims to provide this same level of fact-based confidence to its clients so you can take decisive action to achieve your business objectives.

Meet the Team

People are the heart of every successful business.

Michael Mallon, GSE #396, CISSP

CEO and Principal Consultant

Michael Mallon is the CEO and Principal Consultant of Rule 56 LLC. His 16+ years Cybersecurity experience include many technical and leadership positions in the private sector and with the U.S. Army. He began his career at the IT Help Desk at his alma mater Boston University, where he gained a deep understanding of IT processes and end user activity, which prepared him well for his future Cybersecurity positions. In his 8+ years with RSA, he worked as both a cybersecurity consultant and pre-sales engineer focused on mitigating cybersecurity threats with the right mix of product and services. Prior to starting Rule 56, he served as CISO for Sphinx, a cyber counterintelligence services firm. He holds an undergraduate degree in Computer Systems Engineering and a masters degree in Information Systems with a focus in Security, both from Boston University. He actively serves in the Army National Guard as a Cyber Warfare officer and is currently assigned as the Senior Cyber Advisor for the Georgia Army National Guard. His past assignments over his 20+ years of military service include commanding a Cyber Protection Team, two mobilizations supporting USCYBERCOM, and one deployment to Afghanistan as a Cavalry Squadron Communications Officer.

Jon McLaughlin, CISSP, CCP

Director of Operations

Jon McLaughlin is the Director of Operations at Rule 56 LLC. His 15+ years of Information Technology and Cybersecurity experience include many technical and leadership positions in the U.S. Army and the Defense Industrial Base. He began his career as an Information Technology Specialist and Cisco Certified Networking Academy instructor in the U.S. Army, where he built a strong foundation in networking and IT operations that prepared him well for his future Cybersecurity roles. He started his private sector career with Lockheed Martin, where he served as a Cybersecurity Manager and Information System Security Manager (ISSM) focused on securing critical programs within the Defense Industrial Base. He holds an undergraduate degree from Liberty University and graduate certificates from Penn State and the University of North Georgia, all in cybersecurity and compliance-related disciplines. He actively serves in the Army National Guard and is currently assigned as the Command Sergeant Major for an Intelligence and Electronic Warfare battalion. His past assignments over his 21+ years of military service include serving as the Information Technology Sergeant Major for a General Officer staff directorate, one deployment to Iraq as an Infantryman within a Long Range Surveillance unit, and one mobilization supporting USCYBERCOM.