Open to opportunities

Rachel Sitarz

@rachelsitarz

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Accomplished cybersecurity leader with 15 years of experience.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I seek a role that values diversity and innovation, offering opportunities for leadership and growth in cybersecurity.

I am a seasoned cybersecurity leader with over 15 years of experience in managing incident response, DevOps, SecOps, and compliance programs. My career has been marked by a strong commitment to driving security initiatives aligned with industry standards, including SOC 2, HIPAA, HITRUST, ISO, and NIST. I have successfully led cross-functional teams to design and implement robust information security strategies that not only safeguard organizational assets but also enable business growth.

My leadership journey has been shaped by my dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I), which I prioritize in my approach to leadership. I believe that a diverse team enhances security by bringing invaluable insights. Currently, I am pursuing a PhD in Cybersecurity, focusing on proactive approaches for threat detection, which complements my extensive practical experience and keeps me at the forefront of emerging security trends and technologies.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Director of Information Security

Current

RadarFirst

Jan 2022 - Present (3 years 6 months)

Spearheaded the company's security and compliance initiatives as the primary Subject Matter Expert for security-related issues. Developed and oversaw programs aligned with SOC 2, HIPAA, HITRUST, NIST, and other frameworks, ensuring organizational adherence to security and privacy standards.

SOC HIPAA)HITRUST NIST Incident Response DevOps SecOps Risk Management Security Awareness

Current

Founder and Consultant

Current

Cyber Inform, LLC

Jan 2013 - Present (12 years 6 months)

Provided expert witness testimony in cybercrime cases, leveraging deep expertise in digital forensics and Cybersecurity. Delivered tailored consulting services, including compliance audits, security strategy development, and regulatory advisory.

Expert Witnesses Digital Forensics Compliance Audits Security Strategy

Manager of Security Operations Center (SOC)

Pondurance

Jan 2018 - Dec 2022 (4 years 11 months)

Managed and led the 24x7 Managed Security Operations Center. Managed the Cyber Threat Intelligence team, Incident Response (DFIR) team, Penetration Testers, and Vulnerability Management Analysts.

Threat Intelligence Incident Response DFIR Penetration Testing Vulnerability Management Compliance Audits

Security Associate Manager

Accenture Federal Services

Jan 2017 - Dec 2018 (1 year 11 months)

Designed and delivered Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) training programs for Federal and Military employees. Conducted technical threat-hunting labs and prepared students for certification exams.

Endpoint Detection And Response Threat Hunting NIST Incident Response Security Consulting Performance Metrics

Threat Intelligence Scientist

CSC

Jan 2015 - Dec 2016 (1 year 11 months)

Researched Emerging Threats and conducted endpoint threat analysis. Produced informational bulletins and products for businesses, recommending best practices and methods to mitigate threats leveraging NIST standards.

Threat Intelligence NIST Data Mining Algorithms

Graduate School Teaching Assistant

Purdue University

Jan 2013 - Dec 2015 (2 years 11 months)

Instructed the Advanced Cyber Forensics course for graduate students, organizing and leading weekly classes. Graded assignments and assisted students with semester projects within the field of Cyber Forensics.

Cyber Forensics Teaching Curriculum Development Academic Mentoring Grading

Intelligence Analyst

Purdue University

Jan 2013 - Dec 2015 (2 years 11 months)

Assisted in analyzing trends and threats to the Purdue network. Built analytical products based on network and log data, providing reports to leadership for decision-making.

Intelligence Analysis Network Analysis Statistical Analysis Reporting

Criminal Intelligence Analyst for the Investigation Division

Indiana State Police

Jan 2010 - Dec 2013 (3 years 11 months)

Member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, assisting to locate non-compliant sex offenders. Monitored social media platforms for potential intelligence-gathering opportunities or early indicators of emerging criminal threats.

Criminal Intelligence Analysis Crime Analysis Report Preparation

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Polytechnic College, Purdue University

PhD, Cyber Forensics, Cyber Security

Currently pursuing a PhD in Cyber Forensics with an expected completion in August 2025. Dissertation focuses on the psychology of cybercriminals, their behaviors, and decision-making processes.

College of Technology, Purdue University

Master of Science, Cyber Forensics

Completed a Master of Science in Cyber Forensics in August 2010. Thesis focused on the psychology of self-reported sex offenders.

College of Liberal Arts, Purdue University

Bachelor of Arts, Law and Society

Activities and societies: Member of the Purdue Varsity Swim Team

Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society in December 2007, with a minor in Forensics and Psychology. Was a member of the Purdue Varsity Swim Team.