Taylor Puksta Email & Phone Number

Concord, New Hampshire, United States

Lead a team of six DevSecOps engineers building a DoD Impact Level (IL4) AWS GovCloud service offering managed via Infrastructure as Code (IaC). Developed, deployed, and maintained containerized Software Factory tools. Responsible for personnel and material resources totaling $3 million. Consulted and developed modern DevSecOps infrastructures for the Draper Laboratories, MIT Lincoln Laboratories, US Department of the Treasury, and the Georgia Attorney General’s office. Directly captured new opportunities leading to an almost 50% increase in total corporate staff within a 2-year period.Provided near limitless deploy-on-demand infrastructure to Draper Engineers that automatically integrates with current corporate information security and technical services to provide maximum agility to contracted research and development. Integrated a charge-back model eliminating the majority of compute costs from overhead.

Pembroke, New Hampshire, United States

Responsible for leading a cyber security force of 25 made up two maneuver teams. Collaborated with higher leadership in coordinating and planning an array of missions and goals. Led engagements with Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Secret Service.

Concord, New Hampshire

Principal leader responsible for network defense of both classified and unclassified production networks mitigating endpoint compromise, blackmail, phishing, and spillage incidents. Developed and implemented enterprise strategy consisting of integrated elements of NIST risk management and cybersecurity frameworks, ISO 27001/27002 standards, and Defense Information Systems Agency policy. Evaluated value of legacy contracted cybersecurity systems and decreased expenditures by leveraging opensource, enterprise licensed, or preexisting tools to a greater degree. Developed a proposal that led to an award of an additional $3 million in construction funding to build a new Security Operation Center. Led a cyber threat hunt team of three by leveraging Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), Endpoint Monitoring, and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools to detect malicious traffic on production networks. Built PowerShell scripts to automate management of the Windows domain and leveraged Ansible to migrate an antiquated sever maintenance program towards modern DevSecOps processes.

Concord, New Hampshire, United States

Developed New Hampshire's cyber state active-duty program allowing military to provide support to local government and directly lead engagements with the NH Department of Information Technology, the Department of Transportation, and Department of Revenue. One of five who represented the United States Military at an overseas combined cyber training exercise with Israeli Defense Force and British Military. Conducted a Key Leader Engagement with the El Salvadorian military helping them build their own version of Cyber Command.

Manchester, New Hampshire

Responsible for commanding and controlling a 14 person signal unit. Effectively delegated tasks to subordinate leaders in order to accomplish simultaneous objectives. Collaborated with higher leadership in coordinating and planning an array of missions and goals. Planned and led training based on the commander’s intent. Evaluated and counseled subordinates on career progression.

Concord, Nh

Managed and configured a communication network of 17 different physical locations throughout the state. Researched new systems for future implementation. Worked with line of sight microwave radios to bridge IP networks between distant physical locations. Installed and centrally configured both Cisco and Ubiquiti infrastructure over an interconnected stated-wide meshed network system.

Manchester, Nh

Provided field level maintenance on IP network systems, networked radios, and auxiliary communications equipment connected via wireless line of sight and satellite links. Maintained encrypted communications devices and enforced proper security practices on government devices according to DoD standards. Performed system/network operations and corrected system faults. Maintained all internal communications systems devices enforced proper security practices and standards on government devices according to DoD standards. Configured and maintained Cisco call manager system (4.0 and 8.0). Worked with secure voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and data systems. Supported over 60 users simultaneously.

Doha, Qatar

Served in a joint task force as the forward-deployed cyberspace operations lead responsible for effects support to Special Operations Command-Central subordinate elements in 13 countries, ensuring the delivery of cyber effects across the Middle East. Successfully leveraged Cyber Command assets in coordination with several other information warfare capabilities and interagency partners to conduct operations online combating adversary anti-coalition narratives. Developed non-kinetic options for Special Forces missions designed to enhance the force protection of maneuver elements in enemy controlled environments. Assessed and postured to defend against adversary cyber and electromagnetic threats ranging from terrorist cells to nation-states.

New Haven, Connecticut

Worked with end users, resolving their software and hardware issues in an efficient manner by locating root causes of technical errors and implementing prompt solutions. Filmed television for live news and advised faculty, staff, and students on the use of Crestron, Cisco, Microsoft, Apple, and Zoom technology. Responsible for maintaining and updating classrooms, breakout spaces, and kiosks including multimedia systems comprised of projectors, computers, cameras, microphones, mixing boards, and lighting systems.

Keene, New Hampshire

Video Director/Technical Director on all productions. Streamed productions in real-time over the internet. Effectively managed and trained a team of 9. Scheduled employees, directed cameras, provided audio equipment for ESPN radio broadcasters. Prepared all media equipment prior to games and operated video cameras and camera switching gear.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba

Certificate, Captains Career Course

Certificate, Cyber Officer

Bachelor’S Degree, Information Tecnology

Activities and Societies: Reserve Officer Training Corps, Cyber Security Club - Lead Networker

Associate Of Science (A.S.), Animation And Graphic Game Programming

Activities and Societies: Resident Assistant