Enhanced Enterprise Security Infrastructure: Spearheaded the optimization of enterprise security infrastructure, ensuring seamless operational efficiency by expertly managing tools including Splunk, Rapid7 InsightVM, Forcepoint (DLP), Palo Alto, Veriato, Digicert (3rd party CA), and Windows Defender.IT-Architecture Review Participation: Actively contributed to IT-Architecture Review Board sessions, assessing the security implications of new applications and proposing recommendations.Security Technology Optimization: Streamlined and integrated the security technology stack by proactively monitoring system logs and leveraging Splunk to bolster network health and security.Comprehensive Security Deployment: Led the deployment and management of multifaceted security measures such as Data Loss Prevention (DLP) using Forcepoint, Endpoint Protection with Windows Defender, and Vulnerability Management via Rapid7 InsightVM, ensuring robust employee monitoring and cloud security.Confidentiality Assurance: Diligently configured security technologies to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of BCBSLA information assets.Innovation in Security Technologies: Investigated and implemented cutting-edge security technologies, focusing on cloud service protection, Security Orchestration and Automation (SOAR), and Advanced Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems.Industry Research: Conducted thorough research on emerging products, services, protocols, and standards, contributing to the continuous enhancement of security systems.Proactive Security Monitoring: Utilized Splunk for continuous monitoring of security technologies, ensuring swift detection and response to alerts, notifications, and critical incidents.Security Technology Recommendations: Maintained and enhanced existing security capabilities by recommending and implementing up-to-date technologies such as firewalls, encryption, and anti-virus software.

Cyber Protection Team Establishment & Training: Played a foundational role in establishing the Cyber Protection Team for the state of Louisiana, contributing to training exercises for DCOE and CDIRT teams in preparation for Cyber Shield. Successfully attained Initial Operational Capacity (IOC) and pioneered the achievement of the Cyber Operations Specialist MOS in the state.Cybersecurity Response & Infrastructure Enhancement: Led response efforts to ransomware attacks on local Parish schools, managing infrastructure recovery and deploying new hardware to strengthen defenses. Collaborated to create a hybrid script allowing Ansible on Linux to execute PowerShell commands on Windows machines network-wide.Network Configuration & Windows Imaging: Contributed to crafting network diagrams for diverse customers, ranging from ISP-level configurations to individual workstations. Developed and deployed tailored Windows images, incorporating network and host-based security measures, using a Windows Distribution System (WDS) server.Documentation & Collaboration: Produced instructional guides outlining system changes for customers and collaborated with the Cyber Protection Team to design improved mobile training and operational stacks, enhancing adaptability for training and security response needs.

Lead a team of 7 members to complete over 12 major projects affecting critical mission systems across the organization.Initiated and facilitated cross-departmental meetings to drive innovation and achieve organizational objectives.Planned, engineered, and executed the deployment of a new virtualized infrastructure utilizing VMware solutions, significantly enhancing the efficiency and management of critical mission data.Successfully executed a comprehensive Operating System (OS) migration for both physical and virtual workstations and servers, achieving a 99% uptime throughout the process.Led the orchestration and establishment of a remote cold Disaster Recovery (DR) site to ensure seamless mission continuity.Strategically coordinated and executed the replacement of physical infrastructure hardware, including Cisco and Juniper switches, routers, firewalls, workstations, servers, and storage area networks (SANs).Collaborated with vendors to develop a product replacement roadmap for End of Life (EOL) items and scheduled upcoming upgrades.Revamped the Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system to enhance its efficiency within the environment.Generated and delivered metrics and reports to senior-level organizational leaders, demonstrating performance and project completion status.Managed updates, maintenance, and troubleshooting of diverse components within the Elastic Stack, including Suricata, Zeek, Zookeeper/Kafka, Beats, Logstash, Elasticsearch, and Kibana.Contributed to the configuration and seamless integration of Gigamon network taps.

Installed and administered Windows and Linux systems, applications, and processes.Ensured optimized server configurations, continuous operation and efficient performance while managing security and optimizing application performance.Implemented, configured, and maintained VMware virtual servers and DISA Big Data Platform (BDP) clusters using VMware ESXi hypervisors.Configured and maintained virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI).Managed thin-client hardware for remote platform connectivity, including configuration and troubleshooting.Created and maintained complex server enclaves, including virtual platforms.Developed and maintained cloud architecture automation tools using open-source resources such as openNebula, Chef, Puppet, and Ansible for automation and configuration management.Conducted system scanning procedures and vulnerability management assessments.Addressed system administration, operations, and maintenance issues and devised re-work solutions.Created and maintained documentation for complex server environments to facilitate incident resolution.Provided support for database-related activities in a mission-critical operational system, including monitoring, backup and recovery, data analysis, data migration, and replication monitoring.Performed user administration, database performance tuning, patching, and application analysis and resolution.Supported development and production systems in CITE and War Rooms.Undertook ad-hoc tasks, including applying software builds, updating application versions, applying security patches, and modifying configuration settings.Contributed to the development of system configuration documentation, including detailed designs for risk assessments and analyses of alternatives for various system-related issues and concerns.

Revamped the Louisiana National Guard's website, incorporating PHP, CSS, and HTML5 while leveraging third-party tools, aligning with cybersecurity best practices.Oversaw the management of the organization's social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr, YouTube, and DVIDS, implementing security-conscious strategies.Developed standard operating procedures for the archive servers of the Public Affairs Office, ensuring data security and efficiency, and conducted archival data clean-up in compliance with best practices.Collaborated closely with the J6 to identify STIG-compliant hardware, aligning with Department of Defense (DoD) regulations, to enhance the secure storage of archival data for PAO.Regularly engaged with high-ranking members of the Louisiana National Guard, offering guidance on social media campaigns and content creation, emphasizing cyber-secure practices for the organization's website.

Deployed to Fort Meade in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, operating under the jurisdiction of USCYBERCOM and ARCYBER authorities.Conducted high-level analysis of security data to detect and identify significant security events.Established and managed an archival database for Cyber Network Defense initiatives.Delivered comprehensive updates on the status of ongoing cybersecurity incidents.Contributed to organizational improvements by utilizing network traffic data to alleviate network congestion.Designed and implemented new standard operating procedures (SOP) for the archival of internal documents and projects.Facilitated the training and development of new team members in analysis techniques and the utilization of security tools, aiding in their seamless integration into the team.