I'm a U.S. Navy Veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy for twenty years. I began my career as an enlisted aircraft maintenance technician. But then later, I applied for and was accepted to become a Naval Officer through the LDO commissioning program. I then served as an aircraft maintenance officer. Most of my career was spent turning wrenches on the mighty F-14 "Tomcat" fighter jet, where I specialized in avionics and weapons systems, but cross-trained in airframes, powerplants, hydraulics, and electrical systems. The main thing that I was able to pull from my time in the Navy is that teamwork is everything. I am still in touch with my teams from back in the day, and I cherish reminiscing about our days launching jets from aircraft carrier flight decks. Best job I ever had!
I'm now enjoying my retirement years by serving as an adjunct faculty member at a technical school, teaching two-year technical degree programs within the computer networking and computer security programs. With over 365,000 vacant positions in U.S. companies alone for IT security staffs, I find it very rewarding to be able to teach and lend my years of experience in the field to help coach up the next generation of information technology and cyber security workers.
A little about my cybersecurity background: I'm an experienced IT Security Manager with expertise in implementing security controls to protect critical infrastructure, FISMA programs and a variety of security regulations compliance standards; Comprehensive knowledge of information technology security principles, practices, and procedures to develop, implement, and manage information system security programs; Cyber-Security incident handling procedures and investigation processes. I specialized in vulnerability research and identification, vulnerability risk analysis, and vulnerability mitigation using a variety of tools to discover vulnerabilities and remediation solutions.
My extensive expertise in information assurance directives and documents, particularly in the context of critical infrastructure industries and the Federal Government, is a testament to my commitment to robust cybersecurity practices. I possess a deep understanding of key standards and regulations that govern these sectors, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publications, Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS), and the Federal Information Systems Management Act (FISMA).
My knowledge extends beyond mere familiarity; I have practical experience in applying these directives to enhance cybersecurity measures within critical infrastructure environments. This includes a comprehensive grasp of security control descriptions and their effective implementation. I am well-versed in tailoring security controls to meet specific organizational needs, addressing vulnerabilities, and ensuring compliance with stringent regulations.
My track record in this domain underscores my dedication to safeguarding critical systems and data against cyber threats, contributing to the resilience and security of vital infrastructure sectors. My proficiency in information assurance directives and standards positions me as a valuable asset for organizations seeking to fortify their cybersecurity posture in alignment with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
I must also give a disclaimer here - this blog is titled "NoCo Cyber Security and Tech Blog" because I lived in Northern Colorado when I started this blog. Colorado is originally my home state, but my wife and I moved back to South Dakota recently because that's where her family is from, and quite frankly, Colorado was getting too expensive and too much like a "California 2.0" for us. We used to live here in South Dakota after I retired from the Navy, and then we moved back to Colorado to accept a new job. When I retired from that job, we moved back here. We absolutely love the people of South Dakota, and are glad to be back. But I am not renaming the blog, because I am too lazy to update all the links 😉
This blog and the articles here will help you make sense of how Improving Critical Infrastructure Cyber Security applies to virtually all areas of our connected environment, and how to "bake in" your security program instead of sprinkling it on later.
I am also passionate (and concerned) about the fact that the cyber-security arena is a rapidly growing career field, but that there are not enough people with these skills to fill all the vacancies This leaves many businesses with large gaps in the ability to secure their computing environment and mitigate critical risks.
The main focus of this blog, then, is to promote cyber-security awareness as well as promote educational, coaching, and mentoring opportunities for those wishing to enter the IT and especially the cyber-security arenas. You can also expect to see periodic posts about life-long learning, teamwork, leadership, and the "soft skills" that will make you an effective teammate, colleague, and customer service provider.
If you are located in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area, I will be happy to give your team a presentation on the importance of cyber-security, and how you can quickly and easily assess your environment and get on the road to securing your information. Some of the topics that I would be happy to present include:
- Physical and Environmental Security
- Practicing Safe Computing at Home
- Internet Security at Work
- Improving Critical Infrastructure Cyber Security
- Vulnerability Assessment and Patch Management
- Cyber-Security Incident Response
- Cyber-Security for Startups and Small Businesses
- Securing Small Businesses
I welcome your input and look forward to some discussions about the world of cyber security!
Please visit my LinkedIn page to learn more about my background and experiences in cybersecurity.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamflinn/
Please visit my LinkedIn page to learn more about my background and experiences in cybersecurity.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamflinn/
Visit my Veteran's Resources Page to learn more about resources available to veterans and their families.
