Ian Siemplenski
Fort Collins,CO
Summary
Achieved successful migration of USDA security functions into a single agency, streamlining operations. Delivered comprehensive NAC architecture and deployment for USDA, enhancing network security. Enhanced cybersecurity and troubleshooting capabilities across VOIP telephony, WIFI, Microsoft operating systems, and networks, resulting in improved operational efficiency. Managed Cisco and Juniper routers, switches, and firewalls, strengthening overall security framework.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Cybersecurity Engineer
USDA/OCIO/CPOC
2014 - Current
IT Specialist (NETWORK)
USDA/OCIO/ITS
11.2009 - 05.2014
- Provide to the USDA the following services and management thereof for the operation of firewalls and network stack environment: Support, maintain, update and document changes for network stack design/operation and monitoring & network operations center services environments at Site A, with eventual support remotely at Site B, including the infrastructure components and common services. Perform system configuration, administration and troubleshooting on Cisco core stack equipment to include router and switch features such as HSRP, VRF Selection, FSM, VPN SPA, MSFC, CSM, SSL SM located in the head end locations of Kansas City, St. Louis Ft. Collins, and Beltsville (remote) in direct support of FSA service center locations and their field communications requirements with FSA web farms and centralized data repositories. Support core stack equipment in the availability and performance targeted levels defined in customer service level agreements. Deploy customer VPN’s into the production environment. Maintain Cisco FWSM and Nokia Checkpoint Firewalls and legacy web farm and 3.0 web farm infrastructure in accordance with ITS change management procedures. Enforce the security of the core stack by applying appropriate patches and hardening measures. Implement patch management and virus protection updates for all Telecommunications devices using automated tools. Meet security requirements including patch reporting: Plan of Action and Milestone (POAM) remediation and reporting; vulnerability remediation; and audit responses. Ensure the rigorous application of information security/information assurance policies, principles, and practices in the delivery of telecommunications services. Maintain Certification and Accreditation (C&A) of the legacy FSA Web Farm enclave as well as support the C&A of the new SiteA/SiteB web farm stacks as a whole. Once completed, keep C&A documentation up to date as changes are made to the environment. Participate in developing and maintaining a comprehensive Contingency Plan and Disaster Recovery Plan for the telecommunications environment supporting FSA. Support FSA disaster recovery exercises as required by OCIO and others. Periodically test failover and load balancing solutions to assure success. Perform adequate backup/recovery services to assure data integrity of the Telecommunications environment that directly supports FSA. Manage configuration backup system hardware and software utilized infrastructure sites. Manage backup and recovery services including off-site vaulting. Install, maintain, and administer Telecommunications infrastructure Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) software such as operating systems, services, utilities, monitoring software, etc. All software media should be inventoried, labeled and have adequate off site backups. Troubleshoot problems within the Telecommunications environment, both with infrastructure or hosted applications. Provide onsite support in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Ft. Collins on normal government work days from 6:30 am – 6:00 pm local time. Provide afterhours support, 24 hours by 7 days per week (24/7) through on call support assure timely resolution of problems. The Contractor must furnish pagers or cell phones for on call support. Work schedules may have to be adjusted for non-prime time maintenance window. Provide adequate alerting to FSA and other USDA entities of major problems or upcoming major changes through the ITS Alerts web site. Recommend and follow proper escalation procedures to minimize any outages that may occur. Utilize Magic Service Desk to receive work orders and assign work orders for all work. Maintain and continue improving the metrics collection and reporting methods which demonstrate to our customers the service level that they are receiving from their Telecommunications service. Metrics would include statistics on performance, capacity and availability. Provide automated alerting to the Operations staff for problems related to hosted applications and servers.
- Designed and implemented network architecture solutions to enhance connectivity across diverse client environments.
- Led troubleshooting efforts, resolving complex network issues to minimize downtime and improve service reliability.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive documentation for network configurations, improving operational efficiency and knowledge sharing.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of new technologies within existing infrastructure.
- Conducted training sessions for junior engineers, fostering skill development and promoting best practices in network management.
- Evaluated emerging networking technologies, providing strategic recommendations to enhance client operations and drive innovation.
- Streamlined network monitoring processes using industry-standard tools, increasing response times to potential threats or failures.
- Managed vendor relationships to optimize procurement of networking equipment while ensuring adherence to project timelines and budgets.
- Worked closely with IT management to develop long-term strategic plans for network growth, capacity planning, and technology adoption.
- Reduced downtime for clients by maintaining high availability through effective monitoring and troubleshooting.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by providing prompt resolution to complex technical issues.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of network infrastructure during company mergers and acquisitions.
- Optimized network performance by proactively identifying and resolving bottlenecks.
- Streamlined communication between departments by designing and implementing efficient routing protocols.
- Standardized networking equipment configurations across multiple sites for ease of management and increased productivity.
- Automated routine tasks such as monitoring alerts or backup processes using scripting languages like Python or Perl.
- Supported business continuity efforts by designing and implementing disaster recovery plans that provided ample redundancy in case of system failures or other emergencies.
IT Specialist (NETWORK)
Unisys Corporation/task 6 FSA stabilization
08.2007 - 11.2009
- Provide to the Government the following services and management thereof for the operation of firewalls and network stack environment: Support, maintain, update and document changes for network stack design/operation and monitoring & network operations center services environments at Site A, with eventual support remotely at Site B, including the infrastructure components and common services. Perform system configuration, administration and troubleshooting on Cisco core stack equipment to include router and switch features such as HSRP, VRF Selection, FSM, VPN SPA, MSFC, CSM, SSL SM located in the head end locations of Kansas City, St. Louis Ft. Collins, and Beltsville (remote) in direct support of FSA service center locations and their field communications requirements with FSA web farms and centralized data repositories. Support core stack equipment in the availability and performance targeted levels defined in customer service level agreements. Deploy customer VPN’s into the production environment. Maintain Cisco FWSM and Nokia Checkpoint Firewalls and legacy web farm and 3.0 web farm infrastructure in accordance with ITS change management procedures. Enforce the security of the core stack by applying appropriate patches and hardening measures. Implement patch management and virus protection updates for all Telecommunications devices using automated tools. Meet security requirements including patch reporting: Plan of Action and Milestone (POAM) remediation and reporting; vulnerability remediation; and audit responses. Ensure the rigorous application of information security/information assurance policies, principles, and practices in the delivery of telecommunications services. Maintain Certification and Accreditation (C&A) of the legacy FSA Web Farm enclave as well as support the C&A of the new SiteA/SiteB web farm stacks as a whole. Once completed, keep C&A documentation up to date as changes are made to the environment. Participate in developing and maintaining a comprehensive Contingency Plan and Disaster Recovery Plan for the telecommunications environment supporting FSA. Support FSA disaster recovery exercises as required by OCIO and others. Periodically test failover and load balancing solutions to assure success. Perform adequate backup/recovery services to assure data integrity of the Telecommunications environment that directly supports FSA. Manage configuration backup system hardware and software utilized infrastructure sites. Manage backup and recovery services including off-site vaulting. Install, maintain, and administer Telecommunications infrastructure Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) software such as operating systems, services, utilities, monitoring software, etc. All software media should be inventoried, labeled and have adequate off site backups. Troubleshoot problems within the Telecommunications environment, both with infrastructure or hosted applications. Provide onsite support in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Ft. Collins on normal government work days from 6:30 am – 6:00 pm local time. Provide afterhours support, 24 hours by 7 days per week (24/7) through on call support assure timely resolution of problems. The Contractor must furnish pagers or cell phones for on call support. Work schedules may have to be adjusted for non-prime time maintenance window. Provide adequate alerting to FSA and other USDA entities of major problems or upcoming major changes through the ITS Alerts web site. Recommend and follow proper escalation procedures to minimize any outages that may occur. Utilize Magic Service Desk to receive work orders and assign work orders for all work. Maintain and continue improving the metrics collection and reporting methods which demonstrate to our customers the service level that they are receiving from their Telecommunications service. Metrics would include statistics on performance, capacity and availability. Provide automated alerting to the Operations staff for problems related to hosted applications and servers.
- 40hrs/wk
Consultant
Freelance Network consulting
06.2005 - 07.2007
- I have been doing freelance consulting and network administrations for small businesses in Colorado. Duties consist of configuring routers, network setup, and pc installation and troubleshooting, network troubleshooting. I also deal one on one with clients and use props and educate them on issues and resolutions for businesses and personal home network and computing systems.
- 40hrs/wk
USDA Network Security Engineer
Manpower Professionals/CC-OPs
11.2005 - 12.2006
- Key responsibilities included, but are not limited to, the following: Managed the all aspects of the USDA’s Wide Area Network, McAfee Webshields, IDS system, DNS, Websense, and network monitoring software. Assisted with Phase III - Agency turn-up from the R1 to CER routers, act as liaison on all issues involving the managed care providers and the agencies. Make recommendations and problem solve any issues as they arose during the transition. Attend engineering meetings concerning the project and obtain needed approval for the project. Diagnosed and resolves complex WAN problems, as well as provides guidance to other Technology teams to help identify root cause of unrelated non-network issues. Developed data network diagrams and other documentation related to the overall network infrastructure. Worked with Cyber Security on potential security vulnerabilities and issues. Provide security technical expertise for Certification and Accreditations (C&A), OIG and GAO audits, and Independent Verifications and Validations (IV&V) for general support system following NIST, GISRA, FISMA, A-123, and USDA security policies and procedures. Participated in comprehensive network support operations. Provided support to agencies with network troubles that might stem from the WAN. Provided customer relations for the USDA between AT&T and Cisco Systems, the managed services providers. Make recommendations to improve wide area network security. Served as a technical expert and authority in telecommunications network architecture, network standards, network analysis, network performance, network survivability, network security, contingency plans, user/application network resource accountability, evaluation criteria as it related to the wide-area network and contracts coordinated with the managed care providers and other staff in the transition to maintenance, operations, and administration. Developed and implemented best technical practices for the implementation of network design processes including network technical standards, network analysis standards, and network modeling tools, network performance criteria, survivability requirements, network security standards, contingency plans, user/application network resource accountability, and benefit/cost evaluation criteria. Took a lead technical role in planning and implementing advanced network analysis projects; assisted in the development of overall plans for major projects; personally supervises the projects; resolved problems with implementation; and performed studies to integrate agency plans related to the wide area network. Personally identified issues that would be of concern to USDA used contacts as vendors to assist in the design and delivery of Internet connectivity. As a technical manager I identify proposed systems changes, and analyzes determines trends or problems occurring as the result of new releases. Communicates with assigned change manager; and management, and coordinated rollout of software and hardware releases; communicates with assigned change manager; and analyzes/determines trends or problems occurring as the result of the new releases.
- 40hrs/wk
Technical support / technician
SpectraLink Corp
09.2004 - 06.2006
- Resolve customer’s technical issues via telephone in a timely manner. Provide basic troubleshooting for all SpectraLink products and generate return numbers. Continuously improve customer’s knowledge of SpectraLink policies and systems. Constantly improve customer sensitivity skills in an overall effort to ensure customer satisfaction. Work directly with NOC to resolve issues for corporate customers. Troubleshoot configuration issues on Cisco 3550 routers and 2900 closet switches dealing with QOS. Review sniffer traces from customers to see where packets were being stopped or lost. Review Access point configurations and educate end users on proper configurations of Access points. Escalate technical problems to the appropriate area. Submit reports and information on reoccurring problems to senior management. Document activity in customer database and some fieldwork. I recently quit because of staffing problems and my skill set was not being utilized. Strong working knowledge of a number of different vendor’s switches, routers, and access points to be able to troubleshoot the variety of network issues.
- 40hrs/wk
Network Engineer/Consultant
Solstice Consulting
02.2003 - 04.2004
- Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair small business networks and PCs. Configure routers and switches and troubleshoot existing routers and switches. Fulfill all the IT needs of a small business. Network design and implementation. PC troubleshooting and repair and build. Maintain all aspects of a small business network and also improve on existing networks. Includes Weld County GroupWise to Exchange 2003 migration and design and implementation for Holiday Inn Stapleton and contract work with IBM.
- 40hrs/wk
Network Engineer/Consultant
Lunar Consulting
10.2002 - 03.2003
- Troubleshoot and repair Microsoft and Cisco networks. Build, install, and maintain servers running Windows 2000 server. Network administrations and consulting, PC repair and installation, troubleshoot and install Cisco routers and switches. Use of routing technology, routing and switching, network design and management of Microsoft operating systems (98-XP). I started with Lunar to assist in the design, implementation and maintenance of their new 911 network. This also includes setting up a point-to-multipoint wireless network to join police, fire, and city hall buildings. Assist in the configuration of Cisco 2900 and also configure IOS, VPN and PIX firewall.
- 40hrs/wk
Education
CWNA Class and Certification - undefined
Net-Ops Corporate training
Associate of Applied Science - Computer Information Systems
Front Range Community College
Fort Collins, CO01.2000
Skills
- Mitre and Atlas framework AI/ML
- Identity and Access management
- Penetration testing skills
- Operating system hardening
- Incident response management
- Security architecture design
- Wireless network security
- Cloud security expertise
- Security policy development
- Application security development
- Regulatory compliance
- Encryption technologies
- Secure software development
- Virtualization security management
- Network security engineering
- Cryptography algorithms
- Cybersecurity risk assessment
- Ethical hacking capabilities
- Social engineering awareness
- Business continuity planning
- Vulnerability assessment
- Network security management
- IP addressing and subnetting
- Virtual private networks
- Firewall installation
- Application security
- Incident response
- Incident logging oversight
- Patch management
- BYOD program implementation
- Disaster recovery planning
- VXLAN designs and troubleshooting
- Cloud security
- Ethical hacking
- Network monitoring
- Active directory
- Firewall configuration
- Teamwork
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Access control systems
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking
- Reliability
- Excellent communication
- Critical thinking
- Team collaboration
- Self motivation
- Security infrastructure architecture
- Data encryption
Certification
CISSP
Security
Current Limited Background Investigation with the USDA.
Timeline
IT Specialist (NETWORK)
USDA/OCIO/ITS
11.2009 - 05.2014
IT Specialist (NETWORK)
Unisys Corporation/task 6 FSA stabilization
08.2007 - 11.2009
USDA Network Security Engineer
Manpower Professionals/CC-OPs
11.2005 - 12.2006
Consultant
Freelance Network consulting
06.2005 - 07.2007
Technical support / technician
SpectraLink Corp
09.2004 - 06.2006
Network Engineer/Consultant
Solstice Consulting
02.2003 - 04.2004
Network Engineer/Consultant
Lunar Consulting
10.2002 - 03.2003
CWNA Class and Certification - undefined
Net-Ops Corporate training
Senior Cybersecurity Engineer
USDA/OCIO/CPOC
2014 - Current
Associate of Applied Science - Computer Information Systems
Front Range Community College