Reni Nishku
Durham,United States
Summary
Trusted IT/OT technical cyber lead with a track record of presenting complex solutions and risk analyses to diverse audiences, including CISOs, engineering teams, and IT technical teams. Skilled at translating intricate details into actionable business insights, driving organizational success. Proven expertise in leading the design and deployment of multi-product proof-of-concept environments, guiding clients through adoption and expansion. Effective in overcoming technical and competitive challenges during post and pre M&A activities.
Offers a unique mix of IT/OT expertise, project management skills, and M&A support capabilities. Strategic asset for organizations aiming to enhance their IT/OT cybersecurity posture, streamline operational processes, and seamlessly integrate technology in the clean energy and industrial sectors.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
IT/OT Manager
EY
05.2021 - Current
- Guided organizations through pre carve-out, OT remediation and integration plan development post carve-out, ensuring alignment with business goals and regulatory requirements.
- Managed cross-functional teams in due diligence efforts, providing technical expertise in IT/OT asset management, cybersecurity, and compliance.
- Developed and presented IT/OT Roadmaps, Integration plan improving executive and technical leadership's understanding of IT/OT systems, asset visibility, and cybersecurity priorities
- Designed and implemented IT/OT-specific architectures and led data modeling and policy configurations, optimizing asset management for M&A evaluations.
- Guided clients to meet standards like NERC-CIP, ISA-62443, NIST 800-82 and 800-53, NIST CSF, and ISO 27001, reducing compliance risks and bolstering regulatory alignment
- Led sensor deployments for OT asset discovery, ensuring high-quality configuration data to inform decision-making
- Designed IT/OT-specific data models for client environments, enabling precise insights and efficient resource use
- Advised on mitigating OT technical debt, creating pathways for modernization and resilience
- Established OT service management frameworks that support IT/OT integration and adaptable operating models
- Implemented incident response and disaster recovery plans, minimizing OT/ICS downtime risks
- Implemented endpoint security for ICS without disrupting operations, enhancing system security
- Integrated IT/OT security governance within change and service requests, ensuring sustainable compliance and risk management
- Streamlined processes to reduce costs and optimize resource use, enhancing overall client value
Technical Lead
CGI Federal
04.2019 - 05.2021
- Served as the CGI CDM Technical Lead on the DHS Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) program for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), supporting critical infrastructure in the energy sector as part of CISA National program
- Designed and deployed comprehensive technical solutions for IT and Operational Technology (OT) environments, including SCADA and Industrial Control Networks
- Led the project through development, testing, and production phases, successfully completing Requests for Service (RFS) to enhance cybersecurity resilience
- Defined team objectives and success metrics, aligning team activities to achieve impactful results
- Developed techniques to reduce the risk of cyber and supply chain attacks, safeguarding TVA's operational integrity
- Created network diagrams for OT and IT networks and designed a custom OT integration app, enhancing cross-environment visibility and management
- Built ETLs, orchestrations, and use cases to validate data integrity and feature requests, supporting robust data management
- Aligned project strategies with standards such as NIST, FIPS, NERC-CIP, NRC, and FISMA, ensuring regulatory compliance across all OT and IT systems
- Provided ongoing guidance and mentorship to technical staff
CDM Solutions Engineer at DOE
ActioNet, Inc.
03.2018 - 04.2019
- Contributed to the Department of Energy's Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) program by implementing a proactive approach to enhance cybersecurity across government networks
- Directed pilot projects for CDM tools, ensuring scalability and effectiveness to meet enterprise needs
- Integrated CDM sensor tools with the Big Data Platform, enhancing data processing and analytics
- Proposed a multi-tenant architecture for Splunk at DOE to maximize scalability and cost-efficiency
- Scaled CDM tools across the enterprise, elevating threat visibility and response capability
- Conducted technical reviews to validate compliance with CDM requirements, enhancing DOE's cybersecurity tools
- Authored comprehensive guides and proposals to support tool deployment and best practices
- Led projects through ATT controls, ensuring alignment with security standards
- Incorporated STIX/TAXII threat intelligence data into the CDM dashboard, enhancing real-time threat awareness
Senior Engineering Consultant
Booz Allen Hamilton
01.2015 - 03.2018
- Brings 4 years of professional experience in process engineering, aligning business goals with strategic service delivery to ensure clients achieve maximum value from their IT Technology investments
- Led and contributed to several impactful projects, including DHS Cybersecurity & Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM), Cloud Computing (State IRM/BMP/SPO), Enterprise Architecture (Defense Logistics Agency), IT Consulting (Marine Corps Logistic Command), and others
- Known for rapidly understanding each client's environment and unique technology needs, consistently delivering solutions that enhance operational efficiency across infrastructure, 3rd-party applications, and custom technologies
Founder
Smart Appliance Technology
06.2014 - 07.2015
- Started an LLC to advance his senior design invention, the smart microwave, aiming to extend the capabilities of everyday appliances by introducing a Wi-Fi enabled microcontroller
- Created Smart Appliance Technology's goal to extend the capabilities of everyday appliances by introducing a Wi-Fi enabled microcontroller
- The first patent pending device is the SAT microwave oven
- Collaborated with Tampa SBDC, USF Connect, and USF Incubator Program
- The project previously received a grant from Venturewell to develop this concept and was featured in Envision magazine
Manufacturing Process Engineer
Transitions Optical
05.2013 - 10.2014
- Focused on the throughput, quality, and safety of coating or thin film deposition technologies
- Overlooked the engineering project directly and indirectly for the Imbibe production line
- Facilitated and led a Kaizen event, resulting in a boost of morale from meeting operator needs, improved performance, line balancing, and lead time
- Utilized equipment efficiently to double the throughput of the line
- Followed the DMAIC methodology
- Ran tests to improve yield, converted a paper schedule to an electronic version, troubleshooting daily production technical errors, performing a 5-S Event, rapid prototyping of new tools and equipment, LOTO Safety procedure updates, reevaluating all processes on the floor, value stream mapping, and completing factory innovation ideas
Industrial Engineering
Leslie Controls
02.2013 - 05.2013
- Company Overview: Learned how to heat treat P9 steel using resistiveness and inductions heaters
- Became the process owner and wrote the procedure on the heat treatment process at Leslie
- Performed quality checks on welding jobs and analyzed the recorded data to ensure it was within ASME standards
- Designed in Solidworks, removed degrees of freedom to make pieces error proof at welding and assembly
- Learned how to heat treat P9 steel using resistiveness and inductions heaters
IT Solutions and Analyst
GTE Financial
05.2012 - 05.2013
- Participated in an accelerated rotational development program at GTE, gaining cross-functional experience across multiple departments and driving impactful technology improvements
- Worked closely with the Assistant VP of Technology, where he configured iPad and Android platforms to enhance member experiences
- Implemented a self-service mobile station in branches, enabling members to check their accounts independently-a solution still in use across all locations
- Led the migration from physical desktops to VDI thin clients, configuring over 400 units, which improved operational efficiency and lowered hardware costs
- Focused on strategic innovations, optimizing enterprise tools such as Footprints, Remedy, OSI, Sageworks, and GIS Mapping
- Conducted a Six Sigma value stream mapping project on FHA loan processes with a team he formed at USF as part of an Advanced Six Sigma course, identifying key areas for process improvement
- Participated in an accelerated rotational development program at GTE, gaining cross-functional experience across multiple departments and driving impactful technology improvements
System Analyst
Department of Defence
05.2010 - 08.2010
- Produced sensitivity analysis report using a tool called Analytica and Excel for UAV's
- Created and maintained the Advanced Tactical Data Link Assessment website for members to share information
- Received secret clearance
- Produced sensitivity analysis report using a tool called Analytica and Excel for UAV's
Education
Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) - Engineering/Industrial Management
University of South Florida
01.2016
Industrial Engineering - Engineering
University of South Florida
01.2014
Skills
- Technical Due Diligence
- Cross-functional Team Leadership
- IT/OT Integration Plan
- IT/OT Discovery and Mitigation
- OT Cybersecurity
- IT/OT Tool Comparison
Timeline
IT/OT Manager
EY
05.2021 - Current
Technical Lead
CGI Federal
04.2019 - 05.2021
CDM Solutions Engineer at DOE
ActioNet, Inc.
03.2018 - 04.2019
Senior Engineering Consultant
Booz Allen Hamilton
01.2015 - 03.2018
Founder
Smart Appliance Technology
06.2014 - 07.2015
Manufacturing Process Engineer
Transitions Optical
05.2013 - 10.2014
Industrial Engineering
Leslie Controls
02.2013 - 05.2013
IT Solutions and Analyst
GTE Financial
05.2012 - 05.2013
System Analyst
Department of Defence
05.2010 - 08.2010
Industrial Engineering - Engineering
University of South Florida
Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) - Engineering/Industrial Management
University of South Florida
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