Matthew D. Close

Senior Security Professional

Strong technical leader with a passion for innovating security products that drive business value. Expert at designing multi-platform security policies, products, and infrastructures.

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Hello, I'm Matthew Close.

I've got 22+ years of experience in tech, 20 years of experience designing and deploying advanced information security products & services in the high-tech sector, and more than 11 years at or above director-level in an information security organization. I'm also a husband, father, gardener, homebrewer, dramatic set designer, and community volunteer.

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I've designed security products that customers trust to protect multi-billion dollar infrastructures and information assets.

The group I helped found at Exodus has weathered three corporate acquisitions, growing from 23 customer firewalls to over 5,000 firewalls, VPNs, and other security products.

I like leading and teaching people. I've progressed from daily staff supervision to a more focused directorship of the company’s most talented security architects and engineers.

I'm the one they call the "CTO" of security. Can't understand something? I'll explain it. I provide clear, concise instruction.

I work well with others and have the proven patience and diplomacy of a seasoned manager.

Agile

Firewalls

Intrusion Detection & Prevention

Threat/risk/vulnerability detection

VPNs

Identity & Access Mgmt

Cloud Environments

Site analysis/config/auditing

PCI Compliance

Virtualization

2008 - present

CenturyLink (previously SAVVIS, Cable & Wireless, and Exodus Communications)

Senior Director, Security Product Architecture

Chief architect of advanced security products that enhance the company’s dedicated host and cloud managed security service portfolios. These managed services protect billions of dollars in customer assets and are responsible for generating around $32M in annual customer sales. Report to the Vice President of Security Operations.

Responsible for:

  • Outlining product roadmaps, guiding technical direction of the security organization, and leading the implementation of all security product and services.
  • Directing and monitoring the complete protection of approximately 1,500 customer sites across 30+ global data centers, including multi-layer security architecture and policy design, incident response, detailed security auditing, threat detection, and risk & vulnerability assessments.
  • Acting as final escalation point for all technical and security issues in the department. Served as liaison to FBI in multiple high-profile attack investigations.
  • Identifying new technologies—such as two-factor identification and Intrusion Detection & Prevention (IDP) in the cloud—that keep product/service roadmap efficient and innovative.
  • Building cloud-based security products that help customers substantially reduce the risks of cloud migrations. This is a huge advantage, as customers that can securely move to the cloud regularly cut 40-50% off annual operations expenses.
  • Obtaining and maintaining PCI compliance for the firewall and IDS managed services.
  • Aggressively tackling hectic project schedules to satisfy customer needs, deliver high-quality products, and demonstrate financial viability.
  • Working closely with other IT and security groups within the company in order to achieve cohesive product and service delivery and superior customer service.
2004-2008

Cable & Wireless and SAVVIS, Inc.

Director, Managed Security Services

Tasked with building new innovation into security services and products—including cloud capabilities—to keep company competitive.

2001-2004

Cable & Wireless, Inc.

Director, Security Engineering

Following a major corporate acquisition, led security engineering team to create new security service portfolio for a much larger customer base.

1999-2001

Exodus

Manager, Security Engineering

Responsible for leading a team of 28 engineers as the company began its foray into the managed security service space.

1998-1999

Exodus

Security Engineer

Implemented and supported a rapidly growing, complex global security infrastructure.

1997-1998

GeoNet

IT Engineer

1996-1997

VeriFone Internet Commerce Division

Management of Information Systems

1991-1995

Stanford University

B.A. English Literature

Also took courses in advanced Mathematics, Chemistry, and Computer Science. I like to be well-rounded.