Robert Wood

CISO | Servant Leader | Advisor | Lifelong Student (posts here are my own opinions and musings)

I have built, scaled, and run security programs as a CISO at 4 different organizations ranging from small tech startups to trillion dollar government organizations. The early part of my career was spent working in application security and red teaming. Cybersecurity is a passion of mine; using it to do amazing things is something that gets me fired up.

That’s why I founded Sidekick Security. To help organizations achieve security-led growth and digital transformations. In an age of trust as currency in so many industries, I believe this is the time when security truly can be an enabler. 

Beyond that, I am a lifelong learner. I love studying outside of my field and finding ways to expand the mental models I have to solve problems differently, more effectively, or to think about them in altogether new and fresh ways. 

Founder and CEO

Helping to connect SMBs and startups with exceptional security talent. A fresh, blue ocean strategy on the cyber security services market for organizations that really need it. 

Exiger

Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the CEO and President. Oversee executive operations, ensuring efficient follow-up on key priorities, handle day-to-day tasks, facilitate collaboration across the business, and drive the implementation of company-wide initiatives and special projects. Create a more consistent, frequent, and comprehensive approach to executive communications, actions and plans. Identify and resolve operational inefficiencies. Strategic planning and coordination across business units to develop and track strategic decisions and plans, ensuring alignment with company goals.

Chief of Staff

Responsible for the day-to-day execution of the President’s vision through the development, monitoring, and accomplishment of achievable business goals. Serve as an advisor to the President and COO on a magnitude of business process and financial topics.  Work across the business to create and implement business strategies focused on rapid company growth and specific business targeting.

Vice President Operations

ManTech

Security Audit Manager

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA)

Lead the Joint Transition Team (JTT) in various functional areas to enable senior leader decisions.  Develop strategies and plans for the transfer activity of new mission areas to DSS, specifically related to the background investigation mission.  Assess internal and external environments to identify risks to transfer and transition activities and advise senior leaders of risks and mitigation actions.  Collaborate across agencies, both within and external to DoD, for process improvements and continuous monitoring of mission execution.

Senior Project Coordinator

Defense Security Service

Led field office efforts to protect critical technology.  Developed and executed a field office business plan based on national level technology priorities coupled with the local threat picture and risk to the technology.  Prioritized actions across the field office area of responsibility to address the highest risk areas. Led a diverse, geographically separated workforce to protect information in the hands of industry partners.  Presented DSS changes and information to the cleared industrial base.  Built partnerships across both government and industry for successful implementation of the National Industrial Security Program and the Arms, Ammunitions, and Explosive Program.

St. Louis Field Office Chief

TechGuard Security

Performed business development activities to include capture, opportunity tracking, and request for proposal responses.  Recruited technical and administrative personnel to serve in contract roles across the organization’s portfolio.  Created security policies and procedures for clients in the commercial and government sectors. Performed Program Management duties for multiple contracts and supervised contract employees.  Performed all corporate security functions across multiple locations for compliance with the NISP, JAFAN, and ICDs.

Vice President Security Operations

Booz Allen Hamilton

Administered the facilities security program in accordance with the NISPOM and various Government regulations.  Managed classified government programs.  Held day to day oversight of a cleared facility to include personnel, information, physical, and security awareness disciplines.  Authored and implemented security policies companywide to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. Issued subcontractor DD 254s and drafted prime DD 254s for government coordination.  Prepared the security response for various Requests for Proposal.  Provided security awareness training to include brown bags, newsletters, and security tips to all staff.

Facility Security Officer

Provided technical and policy oversight for safeguarding classified information on defense contractor information systems.  Reviewed all contractor system security plans and conducted certification and accreditation actions.  Assisted defense contractors by providing guidance throughout the certification and accreditation process. Reviewed and approved Electronic Communication Plans for FOCI facilities.  Provided feedback and guidance on these plans as well as conducted onsite visits for approval of the plan.  Reviewed, approved, and inspected Technology Control Plans to ensure facility compliance.  Conducted facility inspections for NISPOM compliance.  Provided recommendations to mitigate vulnerabilities identified at facilities.

Information System Security Professional

Viasat Inc.

Managed over 18 networks ranging from standalones, SIPRNet, and complex Unified WANs across the entire organization.  Experienced in system accreditation under the NISPOM, DCID and JAFAN.  Directly supervised a team of 6 Information System Security Officers, their workloads, and performance objectives. Granted self-certification authority for classified computer systems using nearly 15 different operating systems.  Wrote numerous System Security Plans that were accredited by the DSS, and various other Government agencies.  Developed and provided training for all information system users company wide.

Information System Security Manager

SYS Technologies, Inc

Administered the facilities security program in accordance with various Government regulations to include the NISPOM and JAFAN.  Held day to day oversight of a cleared facility to include personnel, information, physical, and security awareness disciplines.  Stood up a SIPRNet circuit in conjunction with government client representatives and DSS.

taplio

The Battle

Robert Wood

Amber Elliott

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?