I bring over three decades of experience in IT, with expertise in building, managing, and defending IT infrastructure. Starting as a hobbyist in 1985 and transitioning to a professional career in 1996, my background spans system administration of Windows and Linux servers, LAN/WAN network management, cloud security and building security teams.Currently, I serve as the department head for the Enterprise Security Department at Pekin Insurance, where I lead all aspects of the organization’s cybersecurity strategy. Reporting outside the IT function, I ensure an independent security posture that mitigates conflicts of interest and aligns security priorities with business objectives.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership: Develop and implement comprehensive security frameworks to address emerging threats while supporting organizational growth and innovation.Threat Mitigation: Direct defenses against diverse risks, including social engineering, by leveraging technologies like MDR, EDR, honeypots, email security and layered defenses.Risk Management: Oversee risk identification, assessment, and mitigation, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with executive leadership and departmental heads to integrate security strategies across varying levels of technical expertise.Technical Oversight: Address critical gaps, including tech debt, network segmentation, patching, and vulnerability management, to strengthen the organization's security posture.Incident Response: Manage the detection, analysis, and resolution of security incidents, employing proactive measures to minimize business impact.SpecialtiesCybersecurity Expertise: Blue Team operations, Red teaming, cloud security (AWS, Azure), MDR, EDR, honeypots.Infrastructure Management: Windows servers, Linux servers, Microsoft Active Directory, MS Exchange, Microsoft 365, SAN administration.Network Design & Configuration: LAN/WAN architecture, firewall configuration, network segmentation.Leadership & Strategy: Team leadership, strategic planning, purchasing, and executive collaboration.