Open to opportunities

Daniel Vaught

@danielvaught

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Senior cybersecurity leader specializing in risk management and compliance.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I am seeking a role that fosters innovation in cybersecurity, promotes team collaboration, and offers opportunities for professional growth.

I am a seasoned cybersecurity and information assurance leader with extensive experience in delivering Authorization to Operate (ATO) solutions and implementing Zero Trust architectures for classified military and Department of Defense systems. My career has been marked by a proven ability to lead Risk Management Framework (RMF) initiatives for programs exceeding $100 million, including pioneering secure deployments of additive manufacturing aboard shipboard networks.

Throughout my tenure, I have successfully reduced cyber risk by over 30% across diverse classified and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) networks. My expertise lies in security strategy and governance, vulnerability assessment, and the development of technical documentation and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). I have collaborated with senior leadership to shape long-term cybersecurity strategies, ensuring compliance with over 91 federal mandates while maintaining audit-ready deployments.

With a strong foundation in engineering and higher education, I have managed teams of over 20 engineers, focusing on mentoring and delivering formal training courses. My educational background includes an MBA and a Master's in Digital Art, complemented by certifications such as CISSP and Security+. I am passionate about leveraging my skills to enhance cybersecurity measures and drive innovation in the field.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Senior Information Assurance Manager

Current

Leidos, Inc.

Feb 2022 - Present (3 years 4 months)

Secured RMF/ATO for programs serving over 100,000 public users. Authored system security plans and produced system boundary and data flow diagrams for 10+ isolated, classified programs.

System Security

Senior Systems Engineer

Alutiiq, LLC

Jan 2019 - Present (6 years 5 months)

Secured an ATO for the first ever 3D printer connected to a ship-based isolated network environment. Engineered an air-gapped, isolated network for CANES-based Navy systems integrating 3D printers, routers, and switches.

3D Printing Security Network Engineering EC2 S3 IAM VPC Route 53

Senior Solutions Architect

Secure Innovations, LLC

Jan 2018 - Present (7 years 5 months)

Spearheaded security authorization for MCX, a high-availability DoD payment system supporting 33M+ transactions annually. Managed weekly Configuration Control Board requests and authored risk assessment reports.

Authorization Risk Assessment Agile Development

Senior Solutions Architect

Dell EMC, Inc.

Oct 2014 - Present (10 years 8 months)

Maintained RMF compliance and network security for Dugway Proving Ground’s chemical defense test grid infrastructure. Built optimized virtual environments for real-time, high-speed, high-volume data ingestion.

RMF Compliance Network Security Data Ingestion Infrastructure Management

Senior Network Engineer

SAIC, Inc.

Jul 2011 - Present (13 years 11 months)

Supported JPMIS NOC (24/7/365) with virtualization, incident response, and secure data backup procedures. Led first-responder efforts in classified environments, preserving digital evidence and resolving critical vulnerabilities.

Virtualization Incident Response Data Backup Digital Forensics Network Operations

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of Phoenix

Master of Business Administration, e-Business

Completed a Master of Business Administration with a focus on e-Business. Gained expertise in business strategies and digital commerce.

Virginia Tech

Bachelor of Science, Management Science

Earned a Bachelor of Science in Management Science. Studied principles of management, quantitative methods, and decision-making.

Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)

Master of Art, Digital Art

Pursued a Master of Art in Digital Art, developing skills in various digital artistic mediums. Focused on creative and technical aspects of digital art.