Welcome. I’m Michael Smith, an independent consultant helping teams solve tough cybersecurity challenges that drive real business growth.
I provide expert guidance in infrastructure, compliance, and incident response. My goal is to turn cybersecurity from a challenge into a strategic advantage, delivering tailored solutions that protect your business and help you grow.
Proactive Defense. Clear Advantage.
Today, cybersecurity is much more than a defensive measure—it’s essential for business success. I offer consulting services to help you understand and manage risks, drawing from deep experience in infrastructure, engineering, and compliance. Working together, we build a security posture that keeps your data safe, ensures you meet regulatory requirements, and lets you focus on running your business.
For Startups and Small/Medium Businesses
You’re building a team, a product, and a business. I help you develop right-sized security programs that fit each stage of your company’s growth.
How I’ve helped companies:
- Compliance and privacy framework reviews
- Long-term planning tailored to growth and funding milestones
- Secure cloud deployment and technical controls
- Guidance during contract negotiations
- Improving web security, reliability, and scalability
- Security architecture for IoT and embedded devices
For Cybersecurity Startups
With over 25 years in web, DNS, and Internet security, I help security startups create products that truly meet client needs.
Support I’ve provided:
- Innovation and product design from concept to proof of concept
- Technical pre-sales support and pitch development
- Business introductions and partnership development
- Mentoring in startup incubators
Cybersecurity Advisory
I have helped large organizations and government entities strengthen their digital resilience.
Impactful solutions include:
- Building security operations and threat intelligence teams
- Defending nations against DDoS and web attacks
- Implementing DNS-based malware filtering at scale
- Digitizing government services for greater security
- Solutions for content delivery, web application firewalls, and bot management
Contact me for more information.
My Core Expertise
I offer hands-on experience across all areas of cybersecurity. My solutions are practical and designed for your unique needs:
- Cybersecurity Assessments: Find vulnerabilities and get a clear plan for fixing them
- Incident Response Planning: Prepare your team to respond quickly and limit the impact of incidents
- Compliance Guidance: Navigate standards like NIST, PCI-DSS, and HIPAA with confidence
- Secure Systems Integration: Add new technologies without creating new risks
- Infrastructure & Engineering Consulting: Build secure, resilient foundations for your digital operations
About Me
I’ve dedicated the past 20 years to safeguarding some of the world’s largest and most high-traffic websites from a wide range of threats, including account takeovers, data breaches, and service outages. Throughout my career, I’ve taken on critical roles such as Security CTO and Director of Customer Incident Response, where I worked hands-on to resolve high-stakes security incidents in real-time. I’ve also had the privilege of collaborating directly with Chief Security Officers, helping to shape and implement effective security strategies at the highest levels.
Earlier in my career, I contributed to U.S. Government projects in Washington, DC, where I served as a security engineer and Information System Security Officer (ISSO). During this time, I also taught the NIST Risk Management Framework for more than seven years, helping others navigate and implement essential security and compliance practices. My technical foundation spans Linux administration and web application development, both of which have provided me with a deep understanding of the systems and technologies that underpin modern security. Additionally, my experience includes Russian-language translation, which has broadened my ability to work across diverse environments and contexts, enhancing my overall adaptability in complex scenarios.
Your Partner in Digital Resilience
Effective security should move your business forward. I connect technical requirements with your real-world business needs, delivering solutions that boost protection and performance. As your advisor, I focus on what matters most to you.
Published on November 20, 2020.
Last Updated on 2 weeks ago.