Technology, Security, & Business Solutions with Integrity
Specializing in technology and business solutions for companies of all sizes and any industry.
Information Technology is a great industry to work in, because there is no possibility of boredom! I've been an IT professional for over 25 years -- first at a consulting firm I co-founded and later within the fulfillment industry. This background has given me tons of experience solving real business challenges -- not just implementing technology. For small-to-medium sized companies, open-source and Software as a Service (SaaS) can be a viable way to go. For larger organizations, I've designed web applications that integrate with corporate intranets and other existing systems via XML & EDI. What I enjoy most is understanding the business need and identifying the best possible solution to address the need.
Vice President Information Technology for Sheeran Direct Marketing: www.jjsheeran.com. In this position, I wear the following hats:
Member of Senior Management
Linux System Administrator
System Designer & Programmer
Database Designer/Administrator
Network Administrator
Sales
Information Security
Project Manager
SANS Instructor: www.sans.org. In this role, I teach the SANS Security Leadership Retreat, help with course revisions, write test questions and serve as GIAC Gold Advisor.
Karate Instructor/Helper: I teach karate class every Saturday morning.
For information, send an email and I'll be happy to respond. Here is a sampling of some of the cool projects I'm currently involved with:
Android development: Working with the head of Albright College's Comp Sci department on an Android project. So far, we have been in learning mode. We are using Eclipse IDE with the Android plug-in.
Information Security: It takes diligence to stay current on everything happening in InfoSec. I spend a good deal of personal time each week researching various IS topics. VoIP, botnets, InfoSec conferences, spear phishing, user awareness, the list is endless. I published a quick Linux Security Checklist, which is available online.
Open Source Projects: Open source software can allow smaller companies (with small IT budgets) to implement enterprise-level solutions. I've implemented many open source projects and have documented several here.
Web mashups and applications: A large part of the past two years has been spent designing web sites for various clients. I have some really good coders who do the web programming (in Java or PHP), while I do the API programming and infrastructure on the back-end to link systems together. The end result is fairly complex web systems that are able to answer real-time questions about the data on disparate systems.
Training: I'm a HUGE proponent of continuing education and have created/conducted many issue-specific training seminars at work. I've also been a student for my entire adult life (night school, certification courses, self-study, you name it). My current certifications include LPIC (Linux Professional Institute), GSEC (GIAC Security Essentials),GSLC (GIAC Security Leadership), and Project management certification from Penn State. I've completed courses in Python, Perl, C/C+, Linux scripts and sys-admin, Linux firewalls, SAMBA (not the dance!), etc.
Leadership: This has been my latest focus of self-study. I have a collection of CDs on leadership that I listen to on the way to/from work. Topics include: providing vision to employees, process improvement, strategic intent, and mindful living.
