Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Cybersecurity Principal Engineer

Northrop Grumman

Principal Cyber Systems Engineer

US Navy

Provides expertise in cybersecurity, information technology, command and control, communications, networks and space systems through the planning, acquisition, operation, maintenance and security of systems.

Information Professional Officer

Responsible for establishing, monitoring, and maintaining radio frequency communication systems, as well as operating and maintaining global satellite telecommunications systems. Duties include transmitting, receiving, and storing all incoming and outgoing messages, managing and coordinating information systems security across platforms and fleets, and designing, installing, and operating wide-area networks, computer systems, and associated devices. Additional responsibilities include performing network system administration, maintenance, and training, managing network security, and installing applications while troubleshooting user issues. Tasked with providing training and assistance on computer hardware and software, writing programs to collect and distribute data, ensuring proper security and handling of communications materials and equipment, and performing diagnostics, data recovery operations, and maintaining logs.

Information System Technician

Responsible for installing, testing, troubleshooting, and repairing or replacing cryptologic networks, physical security systems, electronic equipment, antennas, personal computers, auxiliary devices, digital and optical interfaces, and data systems. Additional tasks include configuring, monitoring, and evaluating Information Operations (IO), Information Warfare (IW) systems, and Information Assurance (IA) operations. Expertise in performing hardware and software isolation and repairs for state-of-the-art electronics, computer and network equipment, and related systems using complex test and analysis equipment, diagnostic software, hand tools, and technical publications. Also tasked with maintaining fleet cryptologic permanent and carry-on direct support systems essential for special land, sea surface, and subsurface operations.

Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance)

Command Destroyer Squadron 21 (CDS 21)

Manages network and telecommunication activities to achieve global operations. Coordinates with global satellite, network and telecommunications service providers to obtain Internet Protocol services and to establish Service Levels of Agreement.

Information Technology Manager

Navy Information Operations Command Hawaii (NIOC HI)

Directed Computer Network Operations (CNO) teams in the planning and execution of Offensive Cyber Operations (OCO) supporting national objectives.

Cyber Warfare Officer

USS IWO JIMA (LHD-7)

Developed system Assessment and Authorization packages consisting of 50 systems under Risk Management Framework, implemented information assurance controls, documented risks and provided recommendations to leadership. Executed mitigation plan and developed Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M).

Information Systems Director

Naval Network Warfare Command (NNWC)

Provided command and control decision-making support and shared situational awareness of four global enterprise networks.

Global Network Operations and Security Center Manager

Command Destroyer Squadron 50 (CDS 50)

Provided critical Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) support to a staff of 40 overseas.

Navy Information Operations Command Georgia (NIOC GA)

Managed a 19-person, multi-service team responsible for the installation and maintenance of telecommunications and network infrastructure in support of 3,000 personnel.

Information Technology Division Supervisor

Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA) Groton and Pearl Harbor

Certified, installed and maintained communications and network equipment suites to include local/wide area networks installation, troubleshooting, operating system configurations (Linux, Unix and Windows) and associated network administration.

Fleet Electronic Support Maintenance and Installation Technician

M.S. Network Operations & Technology | Sec+, IAM I, IAT II | ITIL v3 | Navy IP Officer | Seeking Cyber, GRC and ISSM-related roles | Open to CO, CO Springs and remote roles | Active TS/SCI Clearance | Available 8/23

As a seasoned cybersecurity professional and career strategist, I bridge the gap between technical expertise and career development in the rapidly evolving security landscape. My journey spans multiple technologies, industries, and organizations, giving me unique insights into what drives success in cybersecurity roles.

Having successfully navigated my own transition from military service to civilian cybersecurity, I now dedicate myself to guiding others through their career journeys. I specialize in helping veterans leverage their military experience for cybersecurity roles, understanding that the path can seem overwhelming without proper guidance.

I take pride in demystifying cybersecurity careers through:
- Strategic career mapping and transition planning
- Certification and skill development guidance
- Resume optimization and interview preparation
- Professional networking strategies
- Personal brand development

When I'm not mentoring cybersecurity professionals, you'll find me on the golf course, pursuing fitness goals, or writing about industry trends. These diverse interests inform my holistic approach to career development – because success in cybersecurity requires both technical excellence and personal balance.

Connect with me to discuss:
- Military to civilian transition strategies
- Breaking into cybersecurity
- Career advancement in security roles
- Professional development planning
- Building resilient security teams

I regularly share insights, trends, and opportunities in cybersecurity. Let's connect and build a stronger security community together.

Josh Hicks

Inductive Automation

•	Match customers with ideal solution providers. Advise on best practices. Create valuable content. 
•	Promotes modern IT technologies for OT applications (Identity and Access Management, multi-factor authentication, strong encryption, segmentation)
•	Network security for critical infrastructure (Purdue Model, Zero Trust, "Zones & Conduits)
•	Operational Technology Security Frameworks (ISA/IEC 62443)
•	Government alignment (NIST recommendations, CISA resources)
•	Industry Specific Guidance (21 CFR Part 11, Oil & Gas, etc)
•	Secure software development (Agile DevSecOps methodology, secure Build Pipeline (CI/CD), secure digital supply chain (SBOM))
•	Advises customers on safety, reliability, security, and compliance matters

Compliance Manager

Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV)

•	In charge of DoD web application (FedRAMP IL5 multi-cloud) on combined on-premise, Amazon AWS, and Microsoft Azure GovCloud environments supporting Department of the Navy Warfighter innovation efforts.

Innovation Manager

The Joint Staff

•	Recognized as “J6 Action Officer of the Month” for August 2020.
•	Crisis response leader. Continuity of Operations (COOP) and Continuity of Government (COG).
•	Strategic Planner for several key initiatives
•	Joint C4/Cyber Estimate, advised senior DoD leadership in support of National Defense Strategy

Senior Policy Advisor

USSOCOM

• Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Branch Manager for multiple global sensitive activities

Group CIO

USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74)

•	Led 120 persons in 4 divisions (cybersecurity, networks, satellite communication, tactical systems)
•	Directly supported 5000 deployed users on an 8-ship expeditionary “Strike Group”
•	Responsible for significant portion of $700M “Planned Incremental Availability” Enterprise, Tactical, and Command and Control (C2) systems
•	Hand-selected as lead communicator supporting VIP engagements with: Vice President of the United States, Secretary of Defense (SECDEF), and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) during overseas deployment

CISO

US Navy - Sixth Fleet Headquarters

•	Responsible for Computer Network Defense and Information Assurance.
•	Officer in Charge of all Maritime Operations Center Systems. Battle Watch Captain. Achieved highest "Cyber Readiness" score upon USCYBERCOM inspection of any Navy #d Fleet.  
•	Cyber planner, computer network defense and information warfare officer
•	Led Incident Response at scale

Computer Network Defense

Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan

Responsible for $336M on 16 service contracts in all 6 regions of Afghanistan. Programmed $1.4 billion from FY13-17 in support of 171,600 member Afghan National Army growth.Led 146 contractors on in support of NetOps, Cyber defense, tactical comms and training; resulting in successful communications acquisition, sustainment, and operation for the Afghan National Army (ANA).

CSTC-A, CJ6 ANA Contracts and Budget

Special Operations Command, Korea

In charge of Joint, ten person support team responsible for communication, command and control for Special Operations Command Headquarters operating in multiple locations in Korea, including tactical (mobile satellite and radio) communication. 
Responsible for $6.6 million of computer, networking, and telecommunications equipment on 3 classified networks, spanning multiple locations across Korea.
Enterprise admin on 3 Windows 2003/2008 domains and Cisco infrastructure
Lead Special Operations representative in $50 million Joint Information Enterprise, coalition command and control network reorganization project
Manages 30 servers in VMWare environment, Cisco Infrastructure, hardware cryptography. Authored DoD country VoIP and VTC dial plan based.
Engineered and oversaw creation of $500k Joint Operations Center 
DIACAP, accreditation, baseline management, and DoDi 8570 Compliance
Works with coalition partners, Korean Special Warfare Command, on network engineering, security, contingency planning including off site for survivability 
DoD leader; thin clients, virtualized infrastructure, 802.1X security, XMPP tools

Information Systems Administrator

Naval Nuclear Power Training Command

Led 8 person military team; responsible for physical security and verifying and requesting US SECRET clearances for over 1,500 officer and enlisted personnel.
Maintained custom Oracle database tracking application
Implemented custom reporting, saving thousands of man hours analyzing clearances and summarizing key data to senior leadership

Assistant Security Manager

Naval Coastal Warfare Center

Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Responsible for managing, training, and qualifying 12 person watch team
Maintained 3 radar systems, inter-harbor surveillance system, Port Control
Detected, analyzed, and reported over 500 vessels in JTF-Guantanamo Area of Responsibility, maintaining a 24 hour tactical Common Operating Picture (COP)
Worked closely with US Naval Station, Joint Operating Center, Coast Guard Port Security Unit, Marine Security Force, Intelligence, and government contractors

Assistant Officer in Charge

I love helping people solve hard security problems! This involves knowing the experts and intimately understanding existing offerings. I despise "reinventing the wheel". Ideal solutions are simple, align with business objectives, match technology with architecture, meet compliance requirements, and satisfy the needs of all stakeholders. 

My purpose is to drive cybersecurity maturity in Operational Technology (OT) by appropriately leveraging existing technologies and proven methodologies. OT is increasingly becoming "IT performing OT tasks". I bring perspective from a 20 year "Information Warfare" career in the DoD/military space. 

I intend to participate as an industry ambassador and establish collaborative relationships with fellow evangelists to make secure, modern OT systems a reality. I would love to connect and collaborate!

taplio

The Battle

Josh Hicks

Nathan Boeger - CISSP-ISSAP

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