With a lifelong inspiration from the unyielding pursuit of justice in public safety and protecting businesses—rooted in my interest in law enforcement—I've channeled that investigative tenacity into over 25 years as a proven cybersecurity leader and former business owner. Holding a Master's in Business Management and Leadership (2023) and a Bachelor's in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance (2021) from Western Governors University, I've built a foundation that's both technical and strategic, guided by a mission to align security controls with business objectives, reduce risks, and foster resilient cultures.
My career spans designing, implementing, and operating enterprise security programs in healthcare and high-stakes environments, including roles as an Engineer in Information Security and Risk (where I reduced InfoSec spend by 18%, mentored aspiring professionals as 2023 Mentor of the Year, and led threat intelligence with tools like Anomali, Trend Micro, and CrowdStrike), Network Security Administrator (achieving a company's first HITRUST Validated Certification and reducing phishing responses by 39%), Owner/Operational Manager/IT Systems Architect for a 10+ year entrepreneurial venture (founding and leading an IT consulting firm, delivering security services, systems administration, and project management for 20+ healthcare clients with over 1300 nodes, driving operational excellence, client risk reduction, and business growth), and Lead Network Engineer. Core strengths include IT infrastructure, threat intelligence, GRC (NIST, ISO 27001, HITRUST, HIPAA), zero-trust architecture, cloud security (AWS, GCP, Azure), vulnerability management, data protection, and cross-functional leadership—certified in AAISM, CISM, CISSP, and SSCP.
As a vCISO consultant, I deliver proactive guidance that translates technical risks into executive decisions, driving measurable risk reduction, compliance excellence, and operational efficiency without the day-to-day burden. Whether optimizing security frameworks, mentoring teams, or crafting AI-enhanced strategies, I help organizations like yours achieve strategic value and build grit in the face of evolving threats. Let's connect to discuss how I can elevate your security posture—schedule a discovery call today.
"Strong cybersecurity leadership builds trust through vigilance, empowers teams with clarity, and secures the future with unwavering commitment." - Erich Horst