Christian Hernandez
Miami
Summary
Systems-focused network engineering and cybersecurity professional with 7+ years of experience designing, operating, and stabilizing complex networked systems in high-availability environments. Proven ability to assess system posture, identify operational and security risk, and implement practical mitigations under real-world constraints. Known for strong systems thinking, engineering judgment, and clear communication of technical risk and tradeoffs to engineers, leadership, and non-technical stakeholders. Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance; Associate of ISC2 (SSCP track) with hands-on offensive and defensive security experience and CCSP-aligned academic validation.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Area Manager, Internet Services
Encore
09.2022 - Current
- Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Internet Services and network engineering across the South Florida market, supporting 30+ contracted and non-contracted venues.
- Design event-specific network architectures, including VLAN segmentation, SSIDs, bandwidth policies, and QoS controls to support large-scale, high-density production environments.
- Assess network and system posture using telemetry, logs, and traffic analysis to identify operational and security risk.
- Troubleshoot complex Layer 2/3 and wireless issues, including VLAN tagging/untagging, STP behavior, routing anomalies, DHCP behavior, RF interference, and client roaming performance.
- Manage and review configurations across Cisco and Aruba wireless LAN controllers, including AP grouping, RF management, client association analysis, and log review.
- Perform NAT session analysis and packet captures to identify offending clients, unauthorized activity (e.g., port scans, DMCA violations), and intermittent connectivity issues.
- Lead incident response efforts during live events, including problem isolation, containment, and resilient mitigation strategies to maintain service continuity.
- Coordinate with venue IT teams, internal and global sales, production teams, and external ISPs, including WAN coordination, IP block reservations, and temporary circuit augmentation.
- Act as the primary technical authority during escalations, translating complex technical findings into actionable guidance for leadership and non-technical stakeholders.
- Manage and mentor two direct-report managers while overseeing multiple concurrent events and ensuring operational accountability across teams.
Internet Services Manager
Encore
10.2021 - 09.2022
- Owned Internet Services delivery at a major hospitality venue generating approximately $2.3M annually in Internet Services revenue.
- Designed and approved event network layouts, including VLANs, SSIDs, and bandwidth allocations aligned to client and venue requirements.
- Configured and validated switch ports, VLAN tagging, trunking, and supplemental access points to support evolving event needs.
- Provided advanced troubleshooting for wireless performance, DHCP behavior, and routing issues, escalating to senior NOC engineers when required.
- Monitored network health and utilization using SolarWinds, proactively identifying risks and coordinating mitigations to prevent service degradation.
- Served as the onsite escalation point for complex technical issues and client-facing incidents, supporting post-event debriefs and root-cause discussions.
Internet Services Manager
PSAV Presentation Services
11.2019 - 10.2021
- Supported Internet Services operations across multiple venues, serving as an SME for event network planning and execution.
- Designed and approved event network plans, including VLAN layouts, SSIDs, and bandwidth strategies aligned to venue capabilities.
- Conducted site surveys and RF assessments using tools such as inSSIDer, LinkRunner, cable testers, port maps, and throughput testing.
- Analyzed IP addressing, lease behavior, and client characteristics to identify risks such as subnet exhaustion or transient host impact, escalating findings to engineering teams.
- Coordinated with venue IT, sales teams, and third-party network service providers, acting as a technical liaison between field conditions and remote NOC engineers.
- Trained and supported 30+ technicians, reinforcing troubleshooting methodology, best practices, and effective client communication.
Network Lead Technician
PSAV Presentation Services
03.2019 - 11.2019
- Served as the technical lead onsite, acting as the primary escalation point while supporting multiple concurrent live events.
- Maintained MDF and IDF spaces, including switches, patching, UPS systems, cable management, and documentation in coordination with hotel IT teams.
- Troubleshot Layer 1 connectivity issues and supported Layer 2 troubleshooting in collaboration with third-party network service providers.
- Performed port mapping, cable testing, and connectivity validation to ensure reliable service during live events.
- Identified and escalated physical and configuration risks that could impact network stability.
- Guided technicians and communicated technical issues clearly to non-technical staff.
Technician
PSAV Presentation Services
10.2017 - 03.2019
- Supported live event operations by assisting clients with basic IT requests, including printers, OS settings, and connectivity checks.
- Performed basic endpoint troubleshooting and reported affected devices to third-party network providers.
- Assisted with AV equipment setup, video routing, and basic sound engineering in high-availability environments.
- Built technical proficiency and trust, leading to increased responsibility and advancement into senior technical roles.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Cybersecurity And Information Assurance
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT09-2025
Certification
- Associate of ISC2 (SSCP Track)
- CCSP-Mapped Academic Assessment (ISC2) – Passed CCSP-aligned objective assessment demonstrating CCSP exam readiness
- CompTIA PenTest+
- CompTIA CySA+
- CompTIA Security+
- LPI Linux Essentials
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA A+
- ITIL 4 Foundation
Security-Adjacent Cybersecurity Experience
- TryHackMe – Top 3% Global Ranking; completed 100+ hands-on labs covering vulnerability assessment, network and wireless attacks, web application security, privilege escalation, SOC operations, and threat intelligence workflows.
- Conducted authorized reconnaissance, enumeration, exploitation, and post-exploitation exercises to understand system weaknesses and attacker behavior.
- Practiced network traffic analysis using Wireshark and tcpdump to identify anomalies, insecure protocols, and misconfigurations.
- Applied MITRE ATT&CK, Cyber Kill Chain, Unified Kill Chain, Diamond Model, and Pyramid of Pain frameworks for adversary analysis.
- Completed SOC-focused labs involving alert triage, log analysis, and incident documentation, including Splunk fundamentals and case-management tooling (TheHive, OpenCTI, MISP).
Timeline
Area Manager, Internet Services
Encore
09.2022 - Current
Internet Services Manager
Encore
10.2021 - 09.2022
Internet Services Manager
PSAV Presentation Services
11.2019 - 10.2021
Network Lead Technician
PSAV Presentation Services
03.2019 - 11.2019
Technician
PSAV Presentation Services
10.2017 - 03.2019
Bachelor of Science - Cybersecurity And Information Assurance
Western Governors University