Matthew Howard
San Antonio,TX
Summary
Cybersecurity professional with 21 years of experience in regulatory compliance, information security governance, and operational risk management in the U.S. Air Force. Skilled in NIST and ISO frameworks, leading security inspections, conducting risk assessments, managing policies, audit frameworks, and SETA program for HQ Air Education & Training Command (AETC). Holds certifications in CompTIA CySA+ ce, Security+ ce, and (ISC)2 Certified in Cybersecurity. Active AFCEA International member and current M.S. Cybersecurity & Information Assurance student. Proven ability to lead teams, meet regulatory requirements, and promote a culture of compliance in complex environments. Seeking full-time cybersecurity role to apply mission-driven discipline and real-world experience.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Career Break
N/A
07.2023 - Current
- Completed incident detection & response simulations, applying MITRE ATT&CK to trace malicious activity and write structured threat reports.
- Conducted research on threat actors, open-source Indicators of Compromise, and malware behavior as part of lab-based cyber threat intelligence assignments.
- Utilized structured techniques to vet indicators and assess competing threat hypotheses.
- Earned Security+ ce, CySA+ ce, & (ISC)2 Certified in Cybersecurity certifications to support a transition into Security Operations.
Knowledge Operations Manager
United States Air Force
05.2002 - 07.2023
Section Chief, Special Security Office
United States Air Force
03.2021 - 07.2023
- Developed & implemented AETC SOPs outlining proper handling of classified media as well as TEMPEST procedures & enforcement, resulting in a streamlined risk management process for maximum efficiency & zero security incidents.
- Led the development and oversight of AETC SETA program for 7 GSUs; enhanced security posture, fostered a proactive culture of security through standardized training, localized awareness campaigns, and regular compliance checks.
- Coordinated audits and risk management reviews to maintain authorization for Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) with zero findings across seven locations.
- Led internal physical, information, and industrial security inspections on all DIA SCIFs on AETC bases and managed access control & intrusion detection system protecting Headquarters AETC's primary SCIF.
- Enhanced team efficiency by implementing streamlined processes and procedures for daily operations.
- Improved communication between sections, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Evaluated employee performance fairly, providing constructive feedback for continuous improvement efforts.
- Streamlined workflow processes, resulting in increased productivity across the section.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Conducted performance reviews to identify employee strengths and encourage professional development opportunities.
- Supervised, encouraged and evaluated cross-functional teams by coaching and empowering team members to meet production goals.
- Increased project completion rates with effective delegation and priority assignment.
- Implemented training programs to enhance staff knowledge and skills, boosting overall performance levels.
- Developed comprehensive risk management strategies to proactively identify potential issues before they escalated.
Cyber Support Specialist II
Namawu Technological & Industrial(DoD SkillBridge)
01.2023 - 03.2023
- Company Overview: (Internship with DoD Skillbridge Program)
- Monitored and hardened endpoints using CrowdStrike Falcon, Zscaler Zero Trust, and Jamf MDM, strengthening enterprise endpoint security posture across local and remote environments.
- Conducted routine system diagnostics and vulnerability assessments; applied patches, maintained configuration compliance, and escalated threats when needed.
- Performed Tier 2 troubleshooting on LAN, WAN, VPN, and endpoint issues; documented findings and resolutions in Jira Service Management.
- Analyzed suspicious behavior and system alerts to support threat detection and incident response efforts.
- Maintained detailed documentation of support interactions, ensuring valuable insights are preserved for future reference and analysis.
- Optimized internal workflows to expedite incident escalations, leading to faster problem-solving efforts from specialized teams.
Section Chief, Operations Admin Support
United States Air Force
01.2017 - 03.2021
- Led secure communication and data integration processes for senior leadership, ensuring adherence to classified information handling protocols.
- Conducted and documented physical and information security inspections; enforced compliance with DoD security policies, mitigating risks across NORAD and USNORTHCOM operations.
- Managed COMSEC equipment and key inventories, ensuring audit-readiness and zero loss incidents.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams and external agencies to coordinate compliance reporting, incident escalation, and secure workflow operations.
- Supported leadership in executing correspondence under regulatory oversight, contributing to strong security posture and operational compliance.
- Developed strong relationships with external partners to ensure timely collaboration on projects.
- Mentored junior staff members, providing guidance and support for professional development.
- Facilitated successful cross-departmental collaborations to achieve shared goals more efficiently.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations, conducting regular audits and reviews of operational practices.
Education
Master of Science - Cybersecurity & Information Assurance
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT08.2026
Bachelor of Science - Web Development (MEAN Stack)
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE11.2020
Associate of Applied Science - Information Management
Air University
Maxwell AFB, AL06.2015
Skills
- Cybersecurity Tools & Platforms: CrowdStrike Falcon, Wazuh SIEM, Zscaler, Nessus, Jamf, Jira, Microsoft 365, Azure AD
- Frameworks & Standards: Cyber Kill Chain, NIST 800-53, ISO 27001, CIS Controls, MITRE ATT&CK, Zero Trust
- GRC & Risk Management: Policy Writing, Risk Assessments, Compliance Audits, RMF, CVE Analysis
- Incident Response: Threat Detection, Log Analysis, Incident Triage, Containment, SIEM Monitoring, EDR Tools
- Soft Skills: Critical Thinking, Attention to Detail, Team Collaboration, Cross-Functional Communication, Report Composition
Certification
- CompTIA CySA+ ce Certification (Exp. 2028)
- CompTIA Security+ ce Certification (Exp. 2028)
- (ISC)² Certified in Cybersecurity (Exp. 2027)
Timeline
Career Break
N/A
07.2023 - Current
Cyber Support Specialist II
Namawu Technological & Industrial(DoD SkillBridge)
01.2023 - 03.2023
Section Chief, Special Security Office
United States Air Force
03.2021 - 07.2023
Section Chief, Operations Admin Support
United States Air Force
01.2017 - 03.2021
Knowledge Operations Manager
United States Air Force
05.2002 - 07.2023
Master of Science - Cybersecurity & Information Assurance
Western Governors University
Bachelor of Science - Web Development (MEAN Stack)
Bellevue University
Associate of Applied Science - Information Management
Air University
Similar Profiles
Ewan DimayaEwan Dimaya
Private Piano Teacher at N/APrivate Piano Teacher at N/A
THOMAS BrownTHOMAS Brown
Retired at N/aRetired at N/a
Lynn Vanessa HilaireLynn Vanessa Hilaire
Dental Assistant at N/ADental Assistant at N/A
Jixian ChengJixian Cheng
Part-Time Personal Trainer at N/APart-Time Personal Trainer at N/A
Collin DoanCollin Doan
Sales Associate at Sams Club DistributionSales Associate at Sams Club Distribution