Dr. David Moured (Dr. Dave)

As the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for a growing startup, I lead the development and execution of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that aligns with business goals, investor expectations, and regulatory requirements. I work closely with executive leadership and technical teams to establish a security-first culture while implementing scalable, risk-based controls to support rapid innovation. My role extends beyond technology—I advise on operational resilience, secure product development, vendor risk, and customer trust to help the company grow securely from the ground up. Highlights of my key accomplishments include: ➤ Architected and implemented secure, scalable cloud infrastructure for Large Language Models (LLMs), ensuring data protection and compliance with regulatory standards. ➤ Led cross-functional integration of LLM technologies into business processes, establishing governance frameworks to manage model risk, data integrity, and ethical AI use. ➤ Enhanced security posture by embedding Zero Trust principles, improving incident response capabilities, and scaling vendor risk management strategies. ➤ Advised leadership on operational resilience, secure product development, and vendor risk, enabling secure scaling in a fast-growth environment.

As a dedicated advisor in Zero Trust security and red team operations, I help clients—both Department of Defense (DoD) and private sector—implement robust security strategies that ensure mission-critical systems remain secure in dynamic environments. My focus is on delivering actionable, high-impact recommendations that directly address complex security challenges. I specialize in endpoint and network security solutions, including VMware Carbon Black, Trend Micro Deep Security Suite, and Vectra Cognito. Key Accomplishments Include: ▪ Led the development and deployment of a custom security validation framework for the DoD's first native cloud Zero Trust prototype, elevating the security assurance and effectiveness of tools deployed. ▪ Conducted comprehensive risk assessments on emerging technologies, providing deep-dive analyses and presenting executive-level findings to DoD stakeholders, ensuring alignment with mission goals. ▪ Delivered critical recommendations on EDR and network appliance configurations, driving significant improvements in threat detection, response times, and overall system resilience. Principal Red Team Engineer – Traditional & Zero Trust Cloud Environments I lead penetration testing and red team operations across both traditional and Zero Trust infrastructures. By developing advanced threat simulations and conducting real-world attack campaigns, I help clients strengthen their security posture and proactively address vulnerabilities. Key Accomplishments: • Spearheaded full-scope Red Team operations in Zero Trust and hybrid cloud environments, uncovering vulnerabilities and shaping resilient security architecture decisions. • Bypassed layered detection systems in controlled environments, underscoring the need for continuous security tuning and proactive threat modeling. • Mentored red team engineers, aligning offensive strategies with risk mitigation and compliance frameworks to ensure defensible, secure solutions.

In addition to leading my consulting business, I serve as an Adjunct Professor teaching graduate-level cybersecurity courses. My courses include Advanced Network Defense, Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures, Managing Secure Network Systems, and Conducting Penetration and Security Tests. I focus on equipping students with the skills, tools, and strategic mindset necessary to succeed in today’s complex cyber threat landscape. ♦ Designed and delivered advanced graduate-level cybersecurity curricula aligned with industry standards and emerging threat landscapes, ensuring students gain both technical depth and strategic perspective. ♦ Mentored and developed the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, fostering leadership, critical thinking, and ethical responsibility in high-demand areas such as offensive security and network defense. ♦ Bridged academic theory and real-world application by integrating hands-on labs, case studies, and certification-aligned content (e.g., CISSP, CEH), enhancing graduate employability and readiness for mission-critical roles.

Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst | Trusted Contributor to the Intelligence Community Proud to have played a key role in defending national security by identifying and neutralizing advanced cyber threats. ✦ Performed deep malware analysis and reverse engineering to uncover the tactics of sophisticated adversaries. ✦ Created intelligence-driven signatures and countermeasures that strengthened network defenses and guided threat hunting. ✦ Delivered actionable insights on Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), supporting mission-critical cyber ops, incident response, and intel teams. Data Scientist SME (SIGINT / SIGDEV / CNO) In this subject matter expert role, I combined a passion for data with mission focus to advance SIGINT and cyber operations. ★ Designed and implemented Python-based analytics for parsing traffic, detecting patterns, and identifying threats. ★ Supported key SIGDEV and data science missions by isolating high-value intelligence, improving targeting precision, and informing strategy. ★ Developed innovative target templating techniques and wrote technical reports that helped shape active cyber campaigns. Senior Computer Scientist | Secure Solutions for Classified DoD Missions ➤ Led the technical execution of secure solutions for complex, high-stakes defense projects. Engineered scalable, mission-aligned systems for classified environments ➤ Advised stakeholders on secure system design, workflows, and integration strategies. Wrote successful technical proposals that secured new federal contracts

As the Lead VAPT specialist for Department of Defense, I was responsible for the planning and execution of full-scope vulnerability assessments, penetration tests, and security evaluations in support of Certification and Accreditation (C&A) processes. I applied advanced cybersecurity knowledge to test system resilience, identify and exploit vulnerabilities, and recommend effective remediation strategies that directly supported national security objectives. ♦ Led and managed complex information systems security projects, ensuring compliance with DCID 6/3, NISCAP, and other federal standards while securing mission-critical DoD assets. ♦ Oversaw a team of security testers conducting red team exercises, code reviews, software security audits, and adversarial simulations across a wide range of FOSS, COTS, and GOTS products. ♦ Designed and deployed custom exploits (e.g., buffer overflows, XSS, SQL injection) for controlled testing and red team training scenarios, simulating real-world attack methodologies. ♦ Performed in-depth reverse engineering and malware analysis using IDA Pro, OllyDbg, Hiew, WinDbg, Process Monitor, and other system-level diagnostic tools to support threat intelligence and incident response activities. ♦ Authored detailed security documentation, risk assessments, and operational reports, while mentoring junior analysts and training personnel in vulnerability analysis, exploit development, and offensive security techniques.

As a Network Intelligence Analyst, I served as a key contributor within the Intelligence Community, reviewing operational procedures and technical practices to ensure compliance with established intelligence and cybersecurity benchmarks. I evaluated existing policies, implemented new standards to improve mission efficiency, and served as a strategic liaison across critical mission areas including Computer Network Operations (CNO), Digital Network Intelligence (DNI), Computer Network Exploitation (CNE), and Signals Development (SIGDEV). ✦ Performed DNI, CNE, SIGDEV, Discovery and access development for classified government clients. ✦ CNO Liaison leading access development efforts against high value targets. ✦ Provided technical expertise to classified government customers for a variety of focus technologies. ✦ Facilitated critical training on various areas of expertise including SIGDEV, SIGINT, exploitation techniques, network mapping, target development, and target discovery. ✦ Developed and utilized Target Templating methodologies in pursuit of targets to enhance TOPI support.