MARIO WATTS SR.
Arlington,VA
Summary
Cyber security professional with 19 years of experience in civilian and military sectors, specializing in support for federal organizations. Proven ability to integrate information security and business intelligence solutions to enhance organizational strategies. Expertise in risk management, compliance, and security architecture. Demonstrated success in safeguarding sensitive data and improving overall security posture.
Overview
5
5
Certification
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal Security Architect - ICON-RA Program
Chenega
Arlington, VA
02.2025 - Current
- Leads cross-functional architecture and engineering teams in designing and implementing Zero Trust, RMF, and NIST SP 800-53/EO 14028-aligned IT solutions that safeguard sensitive DoD information and operational capabilities.
- Advises senior DoD and Component leadership on cybersecurity risk posture, translating threat intelligence and vulnerability data into prioritized protection strategies for mission-critical systems and high-value assets.
- Facilitates security authorization packages and continuous monitoring strategies that streamlined ATO decision-making while maintaining compliance with STIGs, ICD 503/705, and DoD cybersecurity requirements.
- Enforces secure design patterns, STIG-hardened baselines, and DevSecOps pipeline controls to ensure consistent protection across hybrid environments and SCIF-aligned system
Multiple Cyber & IT Roles
Virginia Army National Guard
08.2007 - Current
- Supervised IT operations in Afghanistan, managing LAN administration and conducting IA training for 300 personnel, enhancing their operational readiness.
- Led signal teams to resolve mission system faults, ensuring uninterrupted operational communications in critical environments.
- Directed satellite and microwave communications, ensuring reliable connectivity for deployed units across Syria, Jordan, and Egypt.
Lead Information Systems Security Engineer
Maximus
Arlington, VA
02.2023 - 02.2025
- Integrated Palo Alto NGFW and Citrix solutions, reducing potential intrusion vectors by 50%.
- Led system engineering efforts implementing IPS firewall changes and RHEL audit profiles.
- Conducted STIG/SCAP scans identifying and remediating critical exposures 80% faster than industry standards.
- Configured Tenable/Nessus infrastructure to facilitate hybrid/cloud backup capabilities.
- Fulfilled the role of Engineering ISSM during the ATO process, reviewing POA&Ms and advancing systems to IATO.
- Redesigned ACAS configurations for cloud migration, enhancing scalability.
- Served as SolarWinds RBAC Administrator; installed servers, managed logging, resolved operational errors to ensure system reliability.
- Administered Splunk and Trellix for hybrid SAP enclaves.
- Managed DISA CESO compliance processes
Principal Cyber Consultant - Threat Hunting Division
Peraton
Arlington, VA
01.2022 - 02.2023
- Supported CISA senior leadership by delivering continuous threat research and intelligence reports to enhance situational awareness.
- Conducted tracking of cyber activity, identified anomalies, and categorized malicious activity to bolster threat detection capabilities.
- Produced operational trend analysis from classified, unclassified, and internal data sources to inform strategic decision-making.
- Collaborated with DHS CISA on cybersecurity initiatives
Senior Cyber Operational Planner
Athena
Arlington, VA
12.2021 - 12.2022
- Modernized FORSCOM cyberspace training capabilities, enhancing effectiveness for Army installations.
- Assessed tactical unit cyber readiness, EMS vulnerabilities, and mission system risks.
- Collaborated with Army leadership to align cyber policy requirements, improving compliance with new reporting tools.
- Developed threat and vulnerability insights to support informed decision-making for Army G-Staff.
- Led the ISSO for Army National Guard Multi-Domain Activities Division.
- The Pentagon
Vulnerability & Scanning Analyst
Insight Global
, MD
02.2022 - 04.2022
- Reduced network security risk by 30% using Wireshark and Splunk analysis.
- Developed Failed Credential Scan Policy, enhancing detection accuracy for security incidents.
- Maintained risk registers and conducted audits of malicious email activities to identify vulnerabilities.
- Collaborated with State Department on international cybersecurity initiatives, sharing best practices and insights.
Operations Officer - G-3/5/7
National Guard Bureau
Arlington, VA
09.2020 - 09.2021
- Facilitated leadership engagements to align operations with strategic initiatives, driving clarity in mission objectives.
- Supported national-level crisis readiness efforts, including wildfire response coordination, to strengthen emergency management capabilities.
- Coordinated operational tasking via TMT, enhancing readiness reporting accuracy and efficiency.
Cyber Watch Officer - JDOC
ByLight
Fort Meade, MD
11.2019 - 11.2020
- Hardened systems using STIG/SCAP, assessing OS, databases, and web applications for vulnerabilities.
- Investigated suspicious network activity via Nessus and Splunk.
- Analyzed enterprise network traffic to identify and mitigate potential threats.
- Supported incident escalation and interagency threat information sharing.
- Managed DISA operations, coordinating efforts to ensure compliance with security standards.
Windows 10 Incident Manager
AllStaff Technical Solutions
Chicago, IL
08.2017 - 08.2018
- Coordinated incident response efforts across teams and departments.
- Facilitated communication between technical teams and stakeholders during incidents.
- Managed incident escalation processes to ensure timely resolution.
- Managed imaging and deployment of client devices to facilitate user readiness and operational continuity.
- Supported large-scale endpoint upgrades by troubleshooting and configuring devices to ensure seamless transitions.
Education
Master of Science - Computer Science
Norfolk State University
Norfolk11-2026
Bachelor of Science - Leadership
Trident University
Cypress03-2019
Diploma - Intelligence Operations
U.S. Army Intelligence Center
Sierra Vista09-2015
Associate of Science - Computer Information Systems
Allied American University
Laguna Hills04-2013
Skills
- Zero Trust Architecture
- Palo Alto NGFW
- STIG/SCAP
- Tenable Nessus
- Splunk
- Trellix
- SolarWinds
- Wireshark analysis
- Red Hat Linux
- AWS Cloud
- ACAS
- IAM
Certification
- CISA, 2026
- AAIA, 2026
- CRISC, 2025
- Google Cloud DevOps, 2025
- PMP, 2025
- CCISO, 2024
- SecurityX, 2024
- AWS Security Specialty, 2023
- AWS Solutions Architect Professional, 2023
- CISM, 2023
Timeline
Principal Security Architect - ICON-RA Program
Chenega
02.2025 - Current
Lead Information Systems Security Engineer
Maximus
02.2023 - 02.2025
Vulnerability & Scanning Analyst
Insight Global
02.2022 - 04.2022
Principal Cyber Consultant - Threat Hunting Division
Peraton
01.2022 - 02.2023
Senior Cyber Operational Planner
Athena
12.2021 - 12.2022
Operations Officer - G-3/5/7
National Guard Bureau
09.2020 - 09.2021
Cyber Watch Officer - JDOC
ByLight
11.2019 - 11.2020
Windows 10 Incident Manager
AllStaff Technical Solutions
08.2017 - 08.2018
Multiple Cyber & IT Roles
Virginia Army National Guard
08.2007 - Current
Master of Science - Computer Science
Norfolk State University
Bachelor of Science - Leadership
Trident University
Diploma - Intelligence Operations
U.S. Army Intelligence Center
Associate of Science - Computer Information Systems
Allied American University