Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Continous Education
Training
Timeline
Generic

Cole Tessier

Information Security Analyst
Tallahassee,FL

Summary

Dedicated IT professional with proven ability to excel in fast-paced environments. Eager to leverage my IT, security, and compliance experience to benefit your team and contribute to its success.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification

Work History

Lead Information Security Specialist

Florida Department Of Revenue - GTA
1 2019 - Current
  • Collaborate closely with the GTA Information Security Administrator to address technical security and compliance issues, ensuring the safeguarding of information.
  • Acted as the Information Security Administrator during the administrator vacancy from October 2023 to April 2024, maintaining the unit's security operations and advanced the mission of the team.
  • Maintain effective communication and partnerships both internally and externally, including with the IRS, to identify and remediate vulnerabilities, enhancing the Department's security posture.
  • Provides guidance to business units on classifying and protecting confidential data, ensuring adherence to security protocols.
  • Serves as a trusted point of contact for security risks affecting the General Tax Administration, ensuring compliance with Rule Ch 60GG-2, F.A.C., S.501.171, Security of Confidential Personal Information, the State Cybersecurity Act, NIST, and IRS Publication 1075.
  • Manages access control for various information systems, including SUNTAX, FLHSMV DAVID, and LexisNexis Accurint, and supports the implementation of security enhancements such as MFA and MFA VPN.
  • Identifies and resolves misconfigurations of security controls on devices and printers to improve overall system security.
  • Supports CSIRT activities by ensuring prompt remediation efforts at the program level collaborates with
  • Led efforts to educate teams on phishing and other threats, significantly enhancing overall security awareness.
  • As the most senior member of the GTA Information Security Team, attend weekly General Tax Administration Core Management meetings and provide leadership with updates on risks, vulnerabilities, and compliance concerns.

Information Security Specialist

Florida Department Of Revenue - GTA
03.2022 - 09.2022
  • Managed access control for both internal and external systems, including SUNTAX, FLHSMV DAVID, and LexisNexis Accurint.
  • Collaborated with various business units to enhance system security measures.
  • Conducted assessments and offered guidance to ensure compliance with 60GG-2, NIST Framework, and IRS Publication 1075.
  • Helped ensure rapid CSIRT response by coordinating with GTA technical support personnel.
  • Fostered effective communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including Revenue IT teams, and other agency partners, to address IT security and compliance-related matters.

Lead Computer Support Technician - Solutions Support

Florida Department Of Revenue - GTA
01.2021 - 03.2022
  • Served as Lead Tech over the Solutions Support Unit, overseeing team operations and ensuring efficient IT support for Department end-users.
  • Provided training, mentorship, and guidance to technicians, ensuring the delivery of top-notch IT support to our internal clients
  • Maintained a close working relationship with management and collaborated with other IT departments to tackle several issues, including imaging, network, printer, telephony, security, and endpoint concerns
  • Liaised with external vendors, including Dell, Hayes, and Canon, to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues.
  • Gained experience with CarbonBlack and RedCloak.
  • Developed and disseminated comprehensive support documentation to the team, addressing critical issues impacting security and productivity, such as VPN configuration and end-system encryption
  • Performed quarterly scans to identify unsecure wireless devices and ensure correction.
  • Served as a trusted point of contact for our GTA core leadership team.

Computer Support Technician - Solution Support

Florida Department Of Revenue - GTA
11.2019 - 01.2021
  • Resolved hardware and software problems reported by internal department staff.
  • Actively contributed to the implementation of agency-wide IT projects and updates.
  • Helped maintain the security compliance of endpoint systems both before and during the Covid pandemic transition to a remote workforce.
  • Implemented BitLocker encryption, managing security updates, and configuring secure VPN prior to users working remotely.
  • Maintained inventory control for IT assets and collaborated with external vendors when their expertise was needed to resolve technical and warranty issues
  • Provided prompt assistance to users working remotely as well as in Revenue service centers in the state and across the country.

Technician Manager & IT Support Specialist

Northwood Emergency Animal Hospital 24/7
05.2014 - 11.2019
  • Served as the manager of veterinary technicians in a busy 24/7 emergency veterinary facility.
  • Played a pivotal role in the transition from a paper-based record system to a streamlined digital operation.
  • Managed various IT systems, including Dell Windows Server 2016 and Active Directory, firewall, VPN, payment processing (OpenEdge), Idexx laboratory diagnostic machines, wireless digital radiography equipment, and ensuring the maintenance, updates, and security of endpoint systems, including Dell thin-clients.
  • Restored systems from redundant back-ups following a social engineering ransomware event.
  • Coordinated all after-hours IT upgrade efforts to minimize disruptions to business operations.
  • Provided remote support to resolve problems.
  • Worked closely and collaboratively with a local Managed Service Provider (MSP) Aegis to ensure a smooth handover of IT responsibilities prior to my resignation.

Surgery Technician & IT Support Tech

Animal Aid - Spay & Neuter Center
01.2006 - 05.2014
  • Served as a laboratory and veterinary surgical technician, specializing in the preparation of animals and monitoring of vital signs during surgical procedures
  • Assisted with medication management and effective communication with pet owners, both via phone consultations and direct interactions within the clinic.
  • Provided daily IT support to the organization's management and staff, ensuring reliable operations in a fast-paced, low-cost, non-profit setting
  • IT responsibilities included the timely updating of practice management software, configuration of printers, routers, workstations, surveillance systems, and the implementation and maintenance of data backups.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Information Studies

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
05.2003 - 05.2005

Associate of Arts - General Studies

Tallahassee Community College
Tallahassee, FL
05.2001 - 05.2003

Skills

  • Proficient in troubleshooting and resolving IT software and hardware issues
  • Skilled in imaging and configuring workstations
  • Knowledge of Rule 60GG-2, NIST CSF, and IRS publications
  • Experienced with digital sanitization methods (NIST 800-88) for data security
  • Effective at creating user-friendly technical and compliance documentation
  • Team player with the ability to work with diverse technical backgrounds
  • Competent with FDOR applications, including SUNTAX/SAP and IMS/Unity OnBase
  • Knowledgeable about the benefits and risks of cloud computing
  • Informed about the impact of AI & ML on IT and cybersecurity
  • Understanding of the importance of vulnerability scanning and penetration testing
  • Experienced in administering the DAVID system & complying with FLHSMV requirements
  • Skilled in identifying and suggesting improvements for security and compliance
  • Experience in Windows Server environment, AD, and MS software suite
  • Ability to quickly learn technical applications and concepts
  • Capable of working independently and collaboratively to achieve objectives

Certification

ISC(2) CC - Certified in Cybersecurity, 1853721, 10/01/2023

Continous Education

  • UWF - Supply Chain Risk Management, 05/2024
  • UWF - Data Security Course, 03/2024
  • University of West Florida (UWF) - CompTIA PenTest+ Exam Prep Course, 03/2024
  • UWF - Network Defense Fundamentals, 02/2024
  • Proofpoint AI/Machine Learning Certification, 10/2023
  • Proofpoint Certified Identity Threat Specialist, 12/2023

Training

  • Florida Digital Summit, Tallahassee, FL, 05/2023
  • FTA Tech Conference, Boston, MA, 08/2023
  • Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit, Tallahassee, FL, 09/2023
  • Rubrik Presents: Save the Data- A Ransomware Tabletop Exercise, 02/2023
  • Abnormal - CoLab for Cybersecurity Professionals - Emerging methods used in phishing detection, 10/2023
  • CoLab Training - Florida Digital Service Mandiant Presents: Cybersecurity is a Contact Sport!, Tallahassee, FL, 10/2022

Timeline

Information Security Specialist

Florida Department Of Revenue - GTA
03.2022 - 09.2022

Lead Computer Support Technician - Solutions Support

Florida Department Of Revenue - GTA
01.2021 - 03.2022

Computer Support Technician - Solution Support

Florida Department Of Revenue - GTA
11.2019 - 01.2021

Technician Manager & IT Support Specialist

Northwood Emergency Animal Hospital 24/7
05.2014 - 11.2019

Surgery Technician & IT Support Tech

Animal Aid - Spay & Neuter Center
01.2006 - 05.2014

Bachelor of Science - Information Studies

Florida State University
05.2003 - 05.2005

Associate of Arts - General Studies

Tallahassee Community College
05.2001 - 05.2003

Lead Information Security Specialist

Florida Department Of Revenue - GTA
1 2019 - Current

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Cole TessierInformation Security Analyst