Adam Ford
Details
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
Western Governors University
Bachelor of Arts - BA
Political Science
Illinois College
• Promoted from Deputy CISO (06/2018 – 04/2019)
• Run the newly-developed quarterly security scorecard program, providing the State of IL leadership with metrics to describe risks related to system vulnerabilities, business continuity planning, and agency employees
• Modernized and centralized security technology products to ensure that endpoints across the state are protected
• Successfully implemented multi-factor authentication (MFA) statewide and facilitated secure remote access for 60,000 employees
• Manage the deployment of next-generation firewall solution to supply threat feeds, reputation-based blocking, and enterprise visibility to all K12 Schools within Illinois; plans include expanding the resolution across other entities
• Coach and develop a team of three and up to 75 full-time/contract employees
• Eliminated 100,000 accounts to update Active Directory; integrated MFA and single-sign-on (SSO) solutions to protect from identity fraud, providing more security, user satisfaction, and capabilities for IL residents
• Implemented enterprise-wide firewall, addressing bot activity and driving vulnerability management
• Manage the proactive phishing initiative monthly for all employees, increasing user education driving click-rate down across the organization
• Partner with HR on hiring top talent leadership, and meet with finance on planning and forecasting expenses supported by a $60M budget
2018 : Present
Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT)
Chief Information Security Officer
• Developed a security technology roadmap to standardize procedures and tools
• Collaborated with the IT leaders to build security standards into enterprise initiatives from the onset and to improve security practices and technology of legacy systems, improving tracking and resolving issues proactively
• Integrated data security practices and scanning into agency data management activities
2017 : 2018
Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT)
Security Engineering Manager
• Architected and implemented a 2nd data center for statewide redundancy
• Designed and implemented centralized agency firewalls to provide consistency and security across the enterprise
• Migrated the legacy layer-2 data center networks into a virtualized and converged infrastructure
• Modernized the networking architecture and equipment within the statewide fiber-optic network, serving state agencies, schools, and universities
2000 : 2017
State of Illinois
Network Architect / Network Engineer
• Designed and Implemented a statewide IPSec-based encryption solution to enable secure CJIS-compliant communications for Illinois Law Enforcement.
• Supported and architected Ethernet LANs in the ISP Data Centers as well as at over 50 remote ISP locations throughout the State of Illinois.
• Provided technical support to Illinois Law Enforcement agencies using LEADS2000/NCIC, Livescan/AFIS, IWIN and SOS Photos.
• Collaborated with the Secretary of State to develop a web portal to Secretary of State Driver's license photos to Law Enforcement personnel.
2002 : 2007
Illinois State Police
Network Engineer
• Worked closely with Assembler and Cobol programmers to document LEADS/NCIC transaction requirements to enable conversion to Web-based input.
• Developed web pages using HTML forms and Javascript allowing Law Enforcement users to query and input data into LEADS and NCIC via browser instead of green screen.
• Developed technical documentation and procedures to handle the roll-out of the LEADS2000 system to Law Enforcement users statewide.
• Served as lead technician supporting the roll-out of LEADS2000 to over 400 Law Enforcement agencies in Illinois.
2000 : 2002
Illinois State Police
LEADS 2000 Project Contractor
Skills
Analysis, application networking, cisco networking, cisco routers, cisco systems products, computer security, Cross-functional Team Leadership, cyber-security, Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Incident Response, Cybersecurity Tools, Data Center, data center infrastructure, data center virtualization, Data Governance, disaster recovery, enterprise network security, firewalls, government, Identity & Access Management (IAM), Information Security, IT Leadership, Leadership, Legacy Modernization, Management, network architecture, network design, network engineering, network load balancing, Network Security, NIST, Policy, project management, Public Speaking, Research, Security, Security Architecture Design, Security Awareness, Security Management, Security Operations, servers, Strategic Planning, System Administration, Technological Innovation, Virtualization, virtual server, Vulnerability Management, wide area network (wan), wireless networking, Training, cisco nexus, cisco asa, technical support, wireless technologies
About
➤ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
An innovative cybersecurity executive and strategist with expertise in transforming complex business operations by identifying, designing, and implementing protective technologies to deliver solutions that align with organizational goals. Highly adept at optimizing employee workflows to enhance the user experience while maintaining security across endpoints. A trusted leader, known for ensuring that information systems and data are protected and available to meet the needs of end-users, residents, and customers.
➤ LEADERSHIP IMPACT:
• Operational Excellence: Established and implemented enterprise-wide information security policies, operations, and practices, including monitoring and protecting 60,000 endpoints, 4,500 servers, and thousands of office locations
• User Experience: Built a statewide election cybersecurity program to bring cutting-edge monitoring services to 100+ election authorities across Illinois; selected nine technical experts and intentionally placed them across regions to support collaboration and enhance relationships with partners, rolling out security to endpoints across government
• Cybersecurity Transformation: Led the creation of a statewide cybersecurity framework which provided services to 55,000 employees across 60+ agencies
• 2023 Recognition: Awarded the State Scoop 50 State Leadership of the Year and earned the CDO Magazine Leading Midwest Cybersecurity Leaders
➤ CERTIFICATIONS:
★ Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP)
★ Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
★ Cisco Certified Network Associate Routing and Switching (CCNA Routing and Switching)
➤ BOARD MEMBERSHIPS + LEADERSHIP POSITIONS:
• Board Member | Illinois State University Center for Cybersecurity Research and Education
• Board Member | Illinois Cybersecurity Commission
• Board Member | Lincoln Land Community College Computer Science Advisory Committee
• Chair | Cybersecurity sub-committee of the Illinois Homeland Security Advisory Council and
• Chair | Illinois state and local Cybersecurity Grant Program Taskforce
• Executive Committee Board Member | Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC)
➤ PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES:
Digital Transformations | Cross-functional Team Leadership | Strategic Planning | Cloud Security Operations | Employee Experience | Stakeholder Engagement | Enterprise Change Management | Information Security Strategies | Vulnerability Management | Compliance | Project Leadership | Technical Process Optimization
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