Kristan Keyes Email & Phone Number

I lead a talented team of cybersecurity professionals to help protect Hillsborough County's digital assets against evolving threats. By fostering collaboration and leveraging diverse expertise, we strive to maintain robust and resilient defenses.I contribute to cross-functional efforts with Florida CIOs, sharing knowledge and best practices to strengthen cybersecurity across the state. One of the initiatives I’ve been involved in is the Hillsborough County Digital Defense Sequence, a framework designed to enhance our approach to addressing cyber risks.Building strong relationships with stakeholders and promoting a culture of cybersecurity awareness are central to my work. I’m passionate about empowering individuals across the county to understand their role in safeguarding our shared digital environment.Hillsborough County has 1.5M residents, making it the 4th largest county in Florida with over 40 departments, including Fire Rescue, Office of Emergency Management, 911, and Medical Examiner, as well as Traffic, Real Estate, Water Resources, Fleet, Procurement Services, Code Enforcement, Economic Development, Extension Services, Pet Resources, and Consumer and Veterans Services.

As a cybersecurity professional with a deep understanding of the ever-evolving threat landscape, I safeguard Hillsborough County's critical infrastructure and protect sensitive data. I regularly engage with the County's 40 departments, including Fire Rescue, Water Resources, and Public Works, to provide guidance and support for all cybersecurity requirements. I ensure all departments adhere to industry best practices and comply with relevant regulations, including PCI and HIPAA. With 365x24x7 readiness, I am committed to providing uninterrupted cybersecurity protection for the County.As the Business Unit Sponsor for the Gartner remediation program, I spearheaded the implementation of the program's recommendations, ensuring that the County addressed identified cybersecurity vulnerabilities promptly and effectively. As the cyber security lead for this program, I provided leadership and direction to the team responsible for its successful execution.In addition to my technical and programmatic responsibilities, I was a trusted advisor to County leadership. My commitment to cybersecurity extended beyond my formal responsibilities. I actively worked to reign in shadow IT. In collaboration with leadership, ensured consistent strategic direction and alignment within the IT department. I also played a pivotal role in fulfilling director-level duties in the director's absence, demonstrating my ability to lead and motivate a team of highly skilled professionals while maintaining the County's cybersecurity posture as a high priority. I meticulously reviewed audit findings, developed comprehensive remediation plans, and tracked progress toward resolution. Additionally, I was responsible for documenting, developing, and writing security-related standards, policies, procedures, and governance publications for adoption by the County.

As a cybersecurity specialist focusing on incident response, risk management, and VMware administration, I possess a comprehensive skillset that enables me to effectively address and mitigate cybersecurity threats. My experience leading the State Department's security event tuning, incident response automation, and analyst training efforts underscores my ability to manage complex projects and implement robust cybersecurity measures. Additionally, my expertise in advising clients on risk assessment and risk transfer approaches demonstrates my in-depth understanding of cybersecurity best practices.

With in-depth knowledge of the US Public Sector, I provided subject matter expertise and technical support for large military network security efforts, including NMCI and SOCOM. Guided by CND, NIST, and USCERT guidelines, I defined configuration standards and implemented system hardening measures to enhance security posture. In collaboration with the product management team, I authored product certification tests to ensure the highest quality and reliability of our products. Additionally, I established a fully functional mail environment for the product team, enabling practical live demonstrations and training sessions. As a mentor to new systems engineers, I fostered their professional growth and ensured a smooth transition into their roles.

As an Engineering Intern at Raytheon Systems, I played a key role in developing and implementing secure network systems. I defined and directed the implementation of advanced encryption schemes, ensuring the protection of sensitive data. I also led proof of concept demonstrations of host and network-based intrusion detection systems, actively safeguarding our systems from potential cyberattacks. Additionally, I installed and verified the configuration of secure network systems in US CENTCOM Mobile Headquarters, ensuring the integrity of our communication infrastructure. I designed and managed secure Linux networks in support of research and development efforts, fostering a secure environment for innovation. My contributions at Raytheon Systems demonstrate my strong technical skills and commitment to cybersecurity.

Bachelor Of Applied Science - Basc, Technology Management

Associate Of Science - As, Telecommunications Engineering