Matthew D. Ward
Middle River,MD
Summary
Senior Cybersecurity & Intelligence Professional leveraging 20 years of military intelligence leadership to secure critical defense networks. Specialized in executing RMF processes, conducting rigorous vulnerability assessments, and ensuring total compliance with DoD frameworks. Proven ability to translate complex technical vulnerabilities into strategic risk mitigation plans while leading cross-functional engineering teams
Overview
1
1
Certification
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Information System Security Officer (ISSO)
Mission Essential Group, LLC
Fairfax, VA
01.2021 - Current
- Lead RMF lifecycle activities for classified systems, ensuring continuous ATO readiness and compliance with DoD cybersecurity requirements.
- Developed and maintained SSPs, POA&Ms, RARs, network diagrams, security control documentation, and supporting artifacts within eMASS to ensure compliance and effective security management.
- Support ATO and IATT activities through coordination with Authorizing Officials, Security Control Assessors, Program Managers, and System Owners.
- Performed continuous monitoring activities including log review, security assessments, configuration management, and compliance reporting to enhance security posture and risk management.
- Communicated cybersecurity risks, mitigation strategies, and compliance status to leadership and mission partners, facilitating informed decision-making and proactive risk management.
- Conduct vulnerability assessments using ACAS, Nessus, and SCAP tools; analyze findings and coordinate remediation efforts with engineering teams.
- Apply and validate DISA STIG and SRG requirements across operating systems, applications, and network infrastructure.
- Utilize Splunk, SolarWinds SEM, and Securden PAM to improve audit visibility, security monitoring, and privileged access management.
- Prepare systems for DCSA CORA inspections and maintain compliance with NIST 800-53, NIST 800-30, FIPS 199, FISMA, RMF, and NISPOM requirements.
Division Manager
Cryptologic Warfare Activity SIXTY-SIX
Fort Meade, MD
11.2018 - 01.2021
- Directed planning, coordination, and supervision of more than 350 personnel supporting mission operations.
- Managed administrative and operational functions to enhance organizational readiness and streamline processes.
- Provided leadership guidance and operational oversight, delivering strategic recommendations that strengthened mission effectiveness.
- Developed policies, procedures, and workforce initiatives in coordination with senior leadership.
- Oversaw training and professional development programs to bolster workforce preparedness and capability.
Department Leading Chief Petty Officer
USS John C. Stennis CVN 74
Bremerton, Washington
01.2015 - 10.2018
- Installed and maintained SSEE Increment F SIGINT collection system to enhance operational readiness.
- Executed weekly audit scans and patching tasks to ensure system integrity and security.
- Ensured proper information handling at all classification levels.
- Achieved and maintained STIG compliance with NIST 800-53 requirements, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
- Documented system status updates and maintenance notes regularly.
- Supported Department of Defense missions including Joint Operational Task Forces.
Cryptologic Training Course Instructor
Information Warfare Training Center
Pensacola, Florida
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Instructed over 200 joint-service students for the Intermediate Signals Analysis Course attaining a 95 percent graduation rate.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive course curriculum to achieve program objectives while integrating current technology.
- Aligned lesson plans with mission requirements and course objectives to enhance student learning outcomes.
- Updated training materials to ensure relevance to current doctrine, policies, and procedures, improving instructional quality.
- Assessed student performance through tests, practical exercises, and class discussions.
- Mentored new instructors on classroom delivery and instructional standards.
Battle Watch Captain
CJTF-1
Bagram, Afghanistan
01.2011 - 08.2011
- Disseminated near real-time information to warfighters, strengthening force protection and intelligence awareness.
- Assigned intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets to support mission objectives. to enhance intelligence collection and support ground operations.
- Collected signals for analysis to identify and track multiple targets. of interest, enabling exploitation of multiple targets.
- Supported joint task force operations during Operation Enduring Freedom.
COMINT Manager
Naval Information Operations Command
Aurora, CO
12.2006 - 01.2011
- Directed a team of 45 joint service personnel in watch floor operations, ensuring dissemination of critical national intelligence information and earning the Director of Naval Intelligence Award for Collaboration.
- Delivered time-sensitive intelligence reports to National Leadership during high-value operations, supporting deployed warfighters and Joint Task Forces.
- Directed information operations support across command missions and daily staff activities.
- Coordinated cybersecurity procedures with network teams and security officers.
- Managed personnel schedules, training records, and readiness requirements.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Cybersecurity Technology
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)
12-2023
Skills
- Frameworks & Compliance: Risk Management Framework (RMF), NIST 800-53, FISMA, STIG Compliance, System Hardening
- Cybersecurity Tools: Enterprise Mission Assurance Support Service (eMASS), ACAS, Tenable Nessus, Splunk
- Vulnerability & Risk Management: Vulnerability Assessment, Continuous Monitoring Activities, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
- Documentation & Artifacts: System Security Plans (SSPs), Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), ATO Processes and Artifacts
Certification
- CompTIA Security+, DoD 8570 IAT Level II, 10/22
Clearance
Active TS/SCI with CI Poly
Additional Qualifications
- U.S. Citizen
- Currently studying for CISSP certification
- Extensive experience supporting DoD and Intelligence Community missions
Timeline
Information System Security Officer (ISSO)
Mission Essential Group, LLC
01.2021 - Current
Division Manager
Cryptologic Warfare Activity SIXTY-SIX
11.2018 - 01.2021
Department Leading Chief Petty Officer
USS John C. Stennis CVN 74
01.2015 - 10.2018
Cryptologic Training Course Instructor
Information Warfare Training Center
01.2012 - 01.2015
Battle Watch Captain
CJTF-1
01.2011 - 08.2011
COMINT Manager
Naval Information Operations Command
12.2006 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Science - Cybersecurity Technology
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)