JOHN ZAPATA
Frisco,TX
Summary
Experienced Cybersecurity leader, my strategic approach to risk assessment and commitment to team leadership has consistently produced high- performing teams. I possess a wealth of experience in managing projects, problem solving, leading day-to-day tasks, mentoring, and servant leadership. My ability to build relationships and foster collaboration has enabled me to drive innovation and ensure projects are completed on time and on budget. I have a strong understanding of the identity and protected health information (PHI) controls under HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOX, and GDPR. I am experienced in setting measurable benchmarks for long-term objectives, while utilizing KPI metrics as a means to quantitatively assess the performance of my teams. In addition to leading with empathy, and listening attentively, I seek to understand, and leverage the expertise and experience of others to the fullest extent possible. I strive to show respect and gratitude while encouraging everyone to do their best.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head of Security Engineering
Comerica Bank
10.2024 - Current
- Manage team of 30+ security personnel, resulting in a 15% reduction in security incidents
- Improved email security posture by implementing new security controls, resulting in a 30% reduction in Phishing and Malware incidents.
- Researched, reviewed and recommended Cybersecurity products, materials and supplies to prepare and maintain security expenses within approved budget.
- Oversaw budget allocation for security department expenditures, maximizing efficiency while maintaining high-quality service provisions.
- Coordinated with other departments within the organization to develop integrated approaches towards mitigating risks across multiple areas.
- Spearheaded cybersecurity initiatives to protect sensitive company data from breaches or unauthorized access attempts.
Director
MoneyGram Dallas
10.2021 - 08.2024
- Introduced Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle as a framework to set IAM security goals and regularly evaluate effectiveness and progress towards established KPIs
- Developed comprehensive threat assessment protocols which reduced security incidents due to identity compromise by 25% year over year
- Managed a budget of $2.5M, optimizing resource allocation across our enterprise resulting in a 10% cost reduction
- Improved identity protection and network security for over 2,000 remote employees by incorporating advanced multi-factor authentication measures alongside NextGen firewalls and VPN gateways
- Implemented advanced detections across web and mobile applications, reducing account takeover and fraud incidents by 30% year over year
- Established automated procedures to improve the password reset and account unlocking processes, resulting in a 35% reduction in help desk inquiries and a corresponding decrease in operational costs
- Strengthened the organization's cybersecurity framework through comprehensive penetration testing, maintaining a 100% remediation rate within SLA for all high and critical findings.
Security Architecture & Engineering Manager
MoneyGram Payment Systems
12.2018 - 10.2021
- Designed and oversaw identity authentication and authorization modernization projects for more than twenty internal applications
- Established Zero-Trust Identity & Access Management program combining SoD, Least Privilege Access, Multifactor, and Just-In-Time provisioning to over 25+ applications which lead to a 50% increase in network security
- Supported cloud transformation efforts for security by upgrading and migrating CyberArk Privileged Access Management system, protecting accounts
- Conducted monthly performance reviews using KPIs, which contributed to a 20% increase in team efficiency
- Evaluated new security technologies, enabling the adoption of cutting-edge protection measures.
IAM Security Consultant
Strategic Security Solutions
07.2018 - 12.2018
- Led team of developers and engineers on large scale Sailpoint IdentityIQ project to introduce a least-privilege access model for joiner, mover, and leaver workflows
- Developed 5 custom IdentityIQ REST API integrations to convert manual delimited file application connections to automate the aggregation, add, updates, and delete functions
- Designed and implemented IdentityIQ manager certifications and lifecycle management flows
- Implemented custom IdentityIQ workflows to handle approval flows for access requests and provisioning activities.
Senior Security Engineer
PrimeLending
07.2015 - 07.2018
- Orchestrated the successful upgrade of all rules, workflows, certifications, connectors, and access requests for SailPoint IdentityIQ version 6.4 to2 while reducing infrastructure server count by 40%
- Monitored and analyzed security systems to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities
- Strengthened system security by 60% by implementing advanced encryption techniques and two-factor authentication mechanisms
- Worked together with diverse teams to adhere to the most effective security protocols and ensure compliance with industry standards, leading to a 25% decrease in audit findings.
Information Security Engineer II
Parkland Health
03.2012 - 07.2015
- Responsible for the end-to-end business operations and execution of the Global Delivery strategy for Identity and Access Management services within the Cybersecurity domain
- Recommended and implemented information security best practices that aligned with the business
- Interfaced with local teams to implement technologies that align with the current security strategy
- One strategy included the need for comprehensive identity account creation via automation to ensure a consistence experience for new onboarding of employees.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree - Business Information Systems
University of Phoenix
Associate's Degree - Networking Technologies
Del Mar College
Skills
- Strong Leadership
- Coaching and Mentoring
- CapEx and OpEx Budget Management
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
- Multi-Factor Authentication
- Single Sign-On (SAML\OpenID\OAuth)
- Privileged Access Management
- Privileged Identity Management
- Security, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
- Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP)
- Segregation of Duty (SOD)
- Zero Trust Access (ZTA\ZTNA)
- Identity Technologies (Okta Identity, CyberArk Privileged Access Management, PING Identity, SailPoint Identity IQ, Sailpoint Identity Now, Microsoft Entra ID)
Certification
- Certified Identity IQ Engineer SailPoint 2018
- CISSP - In Progress ISC2 (2025)
- CISM - In Progress ISACA (2025)
Timeline
Head of Security Engineering
Comerica Bank
10.2024 - Current
Director
MoneyGram Dallas
10.2021 - 08.2024
Security Architecture & Engineering Manager
MoneyGram Payment Systems
12.2018 - 10.2021
IAM Security Consultant
Strategic Security Solutions
07.2018 - 12.2018
Senior Security Engineer
PrimeLending
07.2015 - 07.2018
Information Security Engineer II
Parkland Health
03.2012 - 07.2015
Associate's Degree - Networking Technologies
Del Mar College
Bachelor’s Degree - Business Information Systems
University of Phoenix
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