Sonia Colón
Lawrence,MA
Summary
Innovated, detail oriented analyst with over 10 years of experience in Physical, Personnel and Industrial Security. Bilingual professional with a BA in Criminal Justice and Criminology with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Result-focused Security Specialist with exceptional ability to build rapport, adapt and multitask. Committed and dedicated to identifying security vulnerabilities and improving security solutions.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Contractor Program Security Officer
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Lexington, MA
08.2022 - Current
- Lead and collaborate with five technology offices overseeing a diverse portfolio of approximately 32 programs, addressing intricate security challenges. Ensure compliance with government and security policies to safeguard classified and proprietary material effectively.
- Spearhead the development, implementation, and training of operational security programs, providing comprehensive briefings to personnel at all levels within the government and senior civilian services. Regularly update stakeholders on security-related topics and project progress to foster a shared understanding and ensure successful program outcomes.
- Maintain comprehensive security oversight for six facilities, including SAPF/SCIFs, emphasizing adherence to security compliance standards. Uphold an impeccable security posture through the implementation of corrective action plans and the conduct of facility compliance reviews, contributing to an outstanding government security stance.
- Provide day-to-day security support, conducting continuous assessments of procedures, including MSOPs, SOPs, IA SOPs, and SAP reform. Identify procedural shortfalls and offer strategic recommendations to enhance security policies, procedures, and systems, promoting continuous improvement in our security framework.
- Oversee a team of six security/IA personnel, actively participating in their development through mentoring and training initiatives. Focus on key areas such as PAR processing, briefing/debriefings, CPI, and facility compliance inspections, ensuring the growth and support of security professionals within the team.
Activity Security Representative
Hanscom AFB
Bedford, MA
10.2020 - 08.2022
- Personnel Security Lead to the Program Management Office (PMO) for AFLCMC/HNJT Enterprise Network Solutions, responsibilities include providing personnel and administrative program support including in-depth support for Sensitive Compartmented Information and Sensitive Security matters for over 120 individuals while cultivating rapport with personnel to optimize project goals and output.
- As SAP Personnel Security Official (SPO), initiate and manage the lifecycle of 150+ Program Access Requests (PARs) ensuring completeness and accuracy of nomination package. Deciding initial eligibility determinations and providing recommendations to ensure subjects have a valid contribution to the program. As such, PAR processing has improved an average of 51%, reducing processing days, which greatly impacts the advancement of program progression under strict deadlines.
- Conducted over 80 Program Indoctrinations, Debriefings and Security Awareness trainings as required by the PMO to meet inspection requirements. Documenting and implementing program enhanced security measures to ensure all company and customer security requirements are met.
- Extensive working knowledge on administering security procedures as they relate to operating in classified environments for personnel processing, media control, marking and control of documents/ materials, security education, visitor control, and destruction of classified material.
- Identify and document security vulnerabilities and provide guidance on resolutions to potential security incidents.
Personnel Security Specialist
Defense Counterintelligence Security Agency
Hanover, MD
10.2018 - 08.2019
- Selected as the top 5% from a pool of 712 to serve as a member of the DoD Continuous Evaluation Validation Cell (CEVC) Incident Report Team.
- Generated Continuous Evaluation Incident Reports (CEIR) for case evaluations prior to a standard periodic reinvestigation (PR). Conducted automated record checks, tiered-query capability and integrated reporting in near real time communications in Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS) and Central Adjudication Systems (DISS-CATS).
- Advised DOD Service Components Security Management Office (SMO) on validating and/or mitigating security inquiries prior to periodic background reinvestigation's regarding derogatory information found.
- Worked independently, with over 90 percent approval rating, (exceeding the 75 percent minimum requirement), to analyze, assimilate, and evaluate raw data security reports, criminal information collected from the National Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (NLETS).
- Performed as a subject matter expert on the implementation and operational needs of future systems.
Security Operations Center Monitor
University of Maryland, College Park
01.2017 - 07.2018
- Facilitated conflict resolution and negotiated agreements as a translator, fostering solutions to disagreements and addressing misunderstandings effectively.
- Conducted ongoing analysis of student behaviors, actively identifying signs of concerns such as injury, illness, and emotional disturbance, ensuring a safe and supportive environment.
- Assumed responsibility for the oversight of Global Threat Reduction Initiative cameras and intrusion alarms, safeguarding nuclear equipment and enhancing safety for College Park residents and surrounding areas.
- Vigilantly monitored more than 500 cameras on CCTV systems, both on and off campus, providing an additional layer of safety and support to officers and students. This direct oversight ensured the safety and security of over 40,000 students, faculty, and residents at the University of Maryland.
Military Police
U.S. Navy
Atsugi, Japan/ Norfolk, Virginia
04.2010 - 06.2015
- Collaborated in planning, executing, and evaluating diverse training simulations involving sailors and foreign nationals. This effort aimed to prepare teams for combat and emergency situations, directly contributing to the increased overall Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) readiness of the installations.
- Streamlined project workflows, resulting in a reduction of lags, and conducted comprehensive training for over 30 sailors and 10 U.S. contractors/foreign nationals. This training encompassed critical areas such as understanding alert systems, proper report writing, reviewing reports, and tactical guidance, ultimately enhancing safety and productivity.
- Fostered continuous communication with senior personnel within the division to stay informed about updates and training initiatives, contributing to heightened awareness and responsiveness.
- Authored over 100 action reports with unwavering accuracy and completeness, showcasing a commitment to detail and precision.
- Produced correspondence and forms in compliance with existing regulations, laws, and local policies, maintaining a meticulous approach to accuracy and completeness.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice And Criminology [2015-2018]
University of Maryland
Skills
- Active Top Secret Clearance/SCI, ability to obtain CI Poly
- Bachelors in Criminal Justice and Criminology
- Experienced in Special Program environments and understanding government guidance
- Exceptional at collaborating with various organizations across multiple entities
- Exceptional ability in seeking vulnerabilities
- Expert in evaluating data, creating and implementing procedures
Professional Training and Development
- FSO Program Management for Possessing Facilities Certification
- Introduction to Special Access Programs (SAPs) Certification
- Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Certification
- Intro to DoD Personnel Security Adjudications
- Preparing DD 254 Form Certification
- Marking Classified Information Certification
Accomplishments
- Awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for contribution in evacuating more than 3,000 personnel in emergency response situation during Operation Tomodachi
- Awarded Blue Jacket of the Quarter for superior performance in Physical Security
- Provided immediate assistance to victims of Domestic Assault as a Domestic Assault Victim Advocate
- Awarded multiple CO Appreciation Certificates for Volunteering and Supporting the instillation in areas such as; Youth Head Basketball Coach, primary Color Guard Rifleman, and Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate
Timeline
Contractor Program Security Officer
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
08.2022 - Current
Activity Security Representative
Hanscom AFB
10.2020 - 08.2022
Personnel Security Specialist
Defense Counterintelligence Security Agency
10.2018 - 08.2019
Security Operations Center Monitor
University of Maryland, College Park
01.2017 - 07.2018
Military Police
U.S. Navy
04.2010 - 06.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice And Criminology [2015-2018]
University of Maryland
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