STEVEN M. KEY
Summary
Senior Network Engineer with active Secret Security clearance and 25+ years of experience designing, securing, and sustaining mission-critical network infrastructure across classified and tactical communications environments. Currently supporting CSfC network engineering, PKI infrastructure, and secure architecture design for secure communications systems. Proven ability to align network architecture, cybersecurity requirements, and operational needs in support of military and government stakeholders.
Overview
1
1
Certification
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Network Engineer CSfC (Commercial Solutions for Classified) Networks
Elaborit Inc.
11.2023 - Current
- Designed, configured, and supported classified CSfC network architectures across routing, switching, firewalls, VPN tunnels, access control, PKI, and layered encryption.
- Deployed, configured, and maintained multi-vendor network security platforms Forcepoint, Cisco, and Palo Alto firewalls, VPN gateways, routers, switches, and network management systems enforcing segmentation, access control, and secure traffic flows.
- Built and administered PKI infrastructure using Information Security CertAgent, establishing Root/Intermediate CAs, CRLs, certificate profiles, certificate-based authentication, device enrollment, and trust chain validation to enhance security posture.
- Applied cybersecurity hardening and vulnerability remediation to meet DISA STIG, IAVA, RMF, and Information Assurance requirements, ensuring compliance and strengthening overall network security.
- Performed network traffic analysis and performance tuning across secure enclave environments, optimizing routing, firewall, VPN, and encryption performance.
- Built and administered PKI infrastructure using Information Security CertAgent, including Root/Intermediate CAs, CRLs, certificate profiles, certificate-based authentication, device enrollment, and trust chain validation.
- Administered Windows Server, Ubuntu, and RHEL systems supporting PKI, network security services, and vulnerability assessment activities.
- Prepared network diagrams, security artifacts, and configuration documentation for accreditation and troubleshooting, managing configuration baselines and change requests to align with evolving mission requirements.
Lead Network Engineer PM TN PdM SATCOM
Booz Allen Hamilton
Augusta, GA
05.2017 - 11.2023
- Designed, planned, integrated, and maintained tactical and strategic communications network architectures supporting PM TN, PdM SATCOM, WIN-T Increment 1, and WIN-T Increment 2 environments.
- Developed network architectures aligned with Capability Production Document requirements, facilitating integration into PM TN network and adjacent, higher, lower, allied, government, and commercial service interfaces.
- Translated mission needs, operational requirements, technical specifications, and program objectives into standards-based, cost-efficient network solutions for Army tactical communications systems.
- Developed PdM SATCOM network configuration baselines and managed change request submissions through Tactical Network Initialization Configuration processes.
- Consolidated three Programs of Record network baselines into a single network variant, standardizing user experience across U.S. Army and over 1,200 fielded systems.
- Supported T2C2 integration into WIN-T Increment 1 and Increment 2 architectures through engineering design, lab validation, and interoperability analysis, ensuring technical documentation and fielding-related assistance were met.
- Conducted lab testing, technology insertion assessments, and vendor technical evaluations to validate emerging capabilities and support cost, performance, and acquisition objectives.
- Applied WIN-T routing, transport, and encryption technologies including DMVPN, Zone-Based Firewall, QoS, Colorless Core, WCCP, FDMA, MF-TDMA, and inline network encryptors to sustain secure, high-availability tactical network performance.
- Utilized network management and directory platforms, including GD NMS, SolarWinds, CodeMettle, Active Directory, RADIUS, and Riverbed SteelHead, to monitor, secure, and optimize WIN-T network operations.
Network Administrator, Supervisor
United States Army
01.1997 - 04.2017
- Supervised 50 personnel providing voice and data communications in support of tactical operations across the Pacific Region, managing accountability of $20M in network equipment.
- Led design, installation, operation, and maintenance of 10+ Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) systems, delivering voice, data, and video conferencing for customer bases of 5250 users.
- Repurposed non-standard routers and switches to restore 5 medium nodes within 2 days, saving $175K.
- Collaborated with engineering team to resolve bandwidth issues, enhancing network performance for tactical operations.
- Executed network modernization methods, strengthening critical infrastructure and supporting seamless network operations.
- Deployed 2 medium command post nodes (CPNs) in support of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, establishing a joint ArmyAir Force network connection in fulfillment of a top national defense priority.
- Fielded, configured, and installed 15+ Secured and Non-Secured Internet Protocol Router access points within the organization.
- Saved over $300K by repurposing on-hand routers previously unused for tactical operations after legacy router failures.
- Developed fault isolation curriculum for 10 CPN and 2 large Joint Network Node (JNN) teams, establishing knowledge base that improved sustainment operations readiness.
Network Nodal Switch Supervisor
United States Army
Augusta, GA
- Managed, mentored, and trained 7-person team in tactical command and control communications support, enhancing operational effectiveness over 29 months.
- Conducted troubleshooting, repairs, testing, and modification of LAN/WAN electronic equipment and services, including Tactical Local Area Network KG-175D, KIV-7M, and Simple Key Loader (SKL).
- Troubleshot signal systems across the company area of operations, leading to a 30% improvement in communications reliability.
- Migrated 24 satellite terminals from Ku band to Ka band, ensuring zero network outage and enabling reduced force requirements in Iraq Theater.
- Installed a critical link that allowed for reduction of the tactical network 21 days ahead of schedule during Operation Iraqi Freedom; designated Subject Matter Expert on IP radios.
- Led rapid fielding testing and integration of new and upgraded equipment, validating system enhancements and integration.
- Installed, relocated, and maintained printers, scanners, hard drives, monitors, audio equipment, VoIP phones, video teleconferencing equipment, and modems to meet scalable requirements.
- Advised leadership on fiber optic cabling incompatibility during network service relocation, restoring connectivity for 200 users.
Secured Conference Facility Technician / Data Section Sergeant
United States Army
- Managed installation, operation, and maintenance of secure communications and information systems supporting Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Combined Joint Task Force operations, and NATO mission requirements.
- Directed network systems engineering support for 10+ projects and deployments across the International Security Assistance Force area of operations, improving mission readiness and communications availability.
- Built 9 point-of-presence communication packages for NATO operations in Afghanistan, integrating VoIP telephony, Microsoft Exchange, Active Directory, video teleconferencing, and internet services.
- Installed 40 km of Category 5 cable and 10 km of fiber optic cable for NATO Reaction Force 2010, completing the project 18 days ahead of schedule.
- Deployed 10 servers and 20 proprietary software applications across more than 400 computer operating systems using Norton Ghost imaging.
- Performed Help Desk Technician duties for more than 600 users, achieving a 98% issue-resolution success rate.
- Led 14 personnel providing communications support for Network Enterprise Technology Command while maintaining accountability for $17M in communications and network equipment.
- Prototyped, tested, and validated Single Shelter Switch V3 capabilities over 24 months, supporting evolution into Department of Defense WIN-T network systems; installed DNS, Active Directory, and Microsoft Exchange nodes, and fabricated RS-530, RS-232, and V.35 cables to enable modem, radio, and signaling protocol compatibility.
Education
96 College Credits - Information Technology Related Field of Study
Skills
- Cisco Routing and Switching
- IP Routing and Network Design
- Network Security Devices
- Palo Alto and Forcepoint NGFW
- VPN Technologies and Secure Transport
- PKI / CA: Deployments, Root CA, Intermediate CA, CRLs
- Certificates: Profiles, Enrollment, Issuance, Trust Validation
- Risk Management Framework (RMF)
- DISA STIG Compliance
- Nessus Security Center (ACAS)
- Network Optimization, Testing, and Validation
- Windows Server Management
- Linux Administration: Ubuntu and RHEL
- Virtualization Technologies
- Tactical Voice and Data Networks
- Cisco VoIP (Call Manager and Express)
- Secure Network Design
Certification
- CompTIA Security+ CE (expires January 2029)
- IDirect 2.3.1 Hub Operator (2019)
Timeline
Senior Network Engineer CSfC (Commercial Solutions for Classified) Networks
Elaborit Inc.
11.2023 - Current
Lead Network Engineer PM TN PdM SATCOM
Booz Allen Hamilton
05.2017 - 11.2023
Network Administrator, Supervisor
United States Army
01.1997 - 04.2017
Network Nodal Switch Supervisor
United States Army
Secured Conference Facility Technician / Data Section Sergeant
United States Army