Looking for a job

Dan Saad

@dansaad

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I build practical security monitoring, vulnerability management, and incident response systems.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I'm looking for a cybersecurity role where I can contribute to vulnerability management, SIEM/IDS monitoring, threat detection, and incident response while continuing to build practical security engineering skills.

I've built hands-on security infrastructure using Wazuh SIEM, Suricata IDS, Tenable Nessus Expert, and Xen/Xcp-ng to monitor threats, assess vulnerabilities, and support incident response.

In my current Cybersecurity and IT Associate work, I deploy Linux and Windows agents, scan endpoints and networks, investigate alerts, block malicious activity, and create Wazuh dashboards and automated Daily Overview Reports.

I bring risk-analysis experience aligned with NIST CSF and NIST SP 800-30 Rev. 1, plus network analysis using Wireshark, tcpdump, and nmap. My background handling sensitive health data as a COVID-19 case investigator strengthened my incident triage, crisis communication, and confidentiality practices.

I've also developed C/C++ firmware for a secure smart lock, optimized backend PHP software, and taught programming and game design at Carnegie Mellon University. I'm curious, practical, and motivated to keep developing my cybersecurity skills.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Cybersecurity and IT Associate

Current

Family Business / Home Office

Feb 2026 - Present (7 months)

Conducted vulnerability assessments and security monitoring using Wazuh, Suricata, and Tenable Nessus Expert. Deployed and configured security infrastructure including hypervisors and SIEM/IDS systems.

Wazuh Suricata Nessus Vulnerability Assessment SIEM IDS Network Security Linux Windows Xen XCP NG OPN Sense PFsense MITRE ATT&CK CVE File Integrity Monitoring Configuration Analysis Nmap

Indie Game Designer

Self Employed

Jan 2022 - Jan 2026 (4 years)

Designed TTRPG supplements, board games, and independent RPG systems. Developed character and setting designs, and performed extensive playtesting and design iteration.

Game Design Tabletop Role Playing Games Board Game Design Playtesting System Design Creative Writing

COVID-19 Case Investigator and Contact Tracer

Jersey City Department of Health

Apr 2021 - Apr 2022 (1 year)

Executed rapid-response triage protocols to identify exposure vectors and neutralize further risk. Handled highly sensitive health data in strict compliance with HIPAA.

Contact Tracing Case Investigation HIPAA Crisis Management Triage Data Privacy

Game Design TA

Carnegie Mellon University

Jun 2019 - Aug 2019 (2 months)

Created a game design curriculum and taught and mentored approximately 80 rising high school sophomores and juniors.

Game Design Teaching Mentorship Curriculum Development

Physical Computing TA

Carnegie Mellon University

Jan 2019 - May 2019 (4 months)

Guided 30 students in C and C++ Arduino development in creating assistive devices for elders in the community.

C C++Arduino Teaching Mentorship

Role Playing Games Writing Workshop TA

Carnegie Mellon University

Sep 2018 - Dec 2018 (3 months)

Authored and delivered encounter design lecture. Applied management and interpersonal skills in mitigating student teamwork issues.

Technical Writer Teaching Interpersonal Skills Team Management

Software Engineer

LiteSpeed Technologies Inc.

Jan 2017 - Aug 2017 (7 months)

Worked on backend PHP e-commerce proprietary web server optimizations.

PHP Web Performance Optimization Backend Development

Embedded Systems Engineer Intern

SimSim

Jun 2015 - Aug 2015 (2 months)

Developed object-oriented C/C++ firmware for a secure remote-controlled smart door lock.

C C++Firmware Development Embedded Systems Object Oriented Design

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Google

Google AI Professional Certificate, Artificial Intelligence

Google AI Professional Certificate completed in 2026, covering brainstorming, research, communication, content creation, data analysis, and coding.

Google

Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, Cybersecurity

Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate completed in 2026, covering vulnerability assessment, SIEM fundamentals, IDS, incident response, network analysis, and risk frameworks.

Johns Hopkins University

COVID-19 Contact Tracing Certificate, Public Health

COVID-19 Contact Tracing Certificate from Johns Hopkins University, completed in 2021, covering transmission vectors, privacy (HIPAA), case investigation and tracing, and strategies to overcome barriers.