Richard O'Brien is a proud husband, father, veteran, and cybersecurity professional with a decade of experience. His career has been dedicated to public service, starting with his service in the National Guard and transitioning to roles in both government and private industry. Richard's work in the Air Force as a contractor for space surveillance systems and his subsequent move to healthcare cybersecurity highlight his commitment to making a tangible impact. He is passionate about defending critical systems against emerging threats and improving the lives of those he serves. Notable Projects and Accomplishments:Supported US Central Command during the Israel-Hamas crisis as part of a cyber team.Contributed to the US Air Force Space Fence program, enhancing space surveillance capabilities.Played a significant role in developing the next generation of medical devices for diabetes management, improving the lives of patients worldwide.Assisted state and civil authorities in cyber hygiene assessments and incident response plans, particularly for municipalities with limited budgets.Mentored college students through the Mass Cyber Collaborative, guiding them in their cybersecurity careers. Education
Master of Science in Cyber Security
University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA
Bachelor of Arts in Communications
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
Multiple professional certificates from GIAC, CompTIA, EC-Council, ISC2, et al.
Passion & MissionRichard is driven by the desire to improve security policies, processes, and environments. He takes pride in implementing controls and getting buy-in from those who use these systems. His overarching goal is to protect proprietary and personal information and to support those who lack the resources to defend themselves. Through his work, he aims to foster collaboration, education, and actionable solutions to modern security challenges. Memberships & AffiliationsMilitary: American Legion, Military Cyber Professionals Association, First Corps of Cadets, Congressional Medal of Honor FoundationCivilian: Mentor with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative