Hello

My Story

My journey into the world of cybersecurity is anything but conventional. Over thirty years ago, I was living a very different life as an actor and stand-up comedian in the vibrant city of New York. Drawn to the stage, I began writing my own plays, navigating the exhilarating but unpredictable world of show business. In 1993, I bought my first computer with the intention of creating and sharing my own scripts, not knowing this seemingly small decision would be a turning point. That was the year I discovered the internet—a space as unexplored and thrilling as any I’d encountered on stage or television. Intrigued, I started diving deeper, acquiring my first Linux distribution at a Barnes & Noble in 1994, and experimenting with the technical world that was rapidly unfolding. My first “real” IT role was at a cyber café in Manhattan’s West Village—a front-row seat to the rise of internet culture in its earliest days.

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Around the same time, life brought another new beginning: I got married, and two years later, in 1996, my daughter was born. With my wife’s Cuban heritage, we decided to move to Miami, FL, where we set down roots to be closer to her family, and I embarked on a fresh chapter in technology.

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Cybersecurity was hardly a recognized field back then. There were no formal courses or dedicated college programs; I was entirely self-taught, fueled by a boundless curiosity and a desire to understand this growing digital world. From that point, my career accelerated as I moved through roles from manager to senior manager, then on to director and CISO, honing the skills needed to defend and secure organizations as cyber threats grew more sophisticated and persistent. Over the past three decades, I’ve developed extensive expertise, amassing a wealth of knowledge in cybersecurity defense and offense, and a well-regarded reputation for strategic vision and execution in the field. In 2004, I co-authored a book called "Know Your Enemy: Learning About Security Threats".

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As a cybersecurity strategist, I have dedicated myself to helping organizations of all sizes assess and mitigate risks, integrating advanced open-source and closed-source security solutions that protect critical data and infrastructure. My leadership style centers on fostering curiosity, encouraging growth, and guiding teams toward effective security practices. I take pride in nurturing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, ensuring they not only understand the technical side but are also driven by passion and purpose.

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Throughout my career, my commitment to staying ahead of the curve has led me to develop innovative, industry-standard cybersecurity solutions. My ability to anticipate trends and technologies has been instrumental in helping businesses remain resilient against ever-evolving threats. This proactive approach, coupled with decades of hands-on experience, has enabled me to create solutions that safeguard assets, data, and reputations, working closely with vendors, partners, and the cybersecurity community at large.

My story is rooted in adaptability, passion, and an unyielding dedication to cybersecurity excellence.

Whether it’s developing new defensive strategies, mentoring future leaders, or crafting visionary cybersecurity practices, I’m driven by a mission to protect and to inspire. This journey has not only made me a respected leader in the field but a steadfast advocate for the integrity, confidentiality, and security of digital assets, empowering organizations to thrive securely in a digital world.

When I am not working, I maintain a singer-songwriter channel on YouTube where I publish new originals and cover songs.