Professional Overview
With over 20 years of experience, John Richardson has built a reputation as a trusted leader in IT Risk Management, Information Security, and Project Management. A certified CISSP, PMP, and ITIL expert, John specializes in delivering strategic risk assessments and cybersecurity initiatives that mitigate threats and empower businesses to achieve their objectives securely.
John has worked with numerous organizations to enhance their cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring compliance with international standards like NIST, ISO, and PCI-DSS. His passion lies in collaborating with cross-functional teams to provide actionable insights that drive robust, scalable solutions for long-term success.
Key Achievements
Technology Risk Manager Senior at Charles Schwab (2017 – Present)
- Proactive Cybersecurity Leadership: Spearheaded the Monitoring Metrics program, providing a real-time, data-driven approach to enhancing cybersecurity oversight across the organization.
- Strategic Risk Assessment: Led comprehensive risk assessments across business units, collaborating with internal teams to align technology solutions with cybersecurity goals.
- Expertise in Security Programs: As the Subject Matter Expert for SIEM and Security Data Sciences, John helped optimize threat detection and response protocols, ensuring greater security resilience.
- Driving Change: Developed IT Risk Management programs in alignment with regulatory frameworks such as FFIEC and COBIT, ensuring organizational processes meet industry standards and compliance requirements.
Owner of BrainWerkz (2017)
- Empowering SMBs: John helped small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) thrive by providing them with tailored, strategic risk management and cybersecurity solutions. From network security to system administration, he ensured clients’ technology was secure and future-proof.
- Custom Solutions for Growing Businesses: Through BrainWerkz, John built a reputation for delivering high-impact IT services, designing risk management strategies that were scalable and cost-effective for SMBs.
Manager, International IT Operations at 360Training (2015 – 2017)
- Global IT Security: Pioneered the Information Security program, integrating global risk management practices and fortifying the company’s infrastructure against potential cyber threats.
- Cross-Cultural Leadership: Led a diverse team across different regions, coordinating efforts to improve business continuity, risk management, and operational security.
- Enhanced Compliance: Successfully managed compliance with security standards, leading PCI-DSS certification and ensuring the company met international data protection regulations.
Executive IT Director at Southern Careers Institute (2013 – 2015)
- Strategic IT Leadership: Developed and implemented a comprehensive Information Security strategy that enhanced the organization’s ability to respond to emerging cybersecurity threats.
- Improving IT Efficiency: Streamlined IT operations, improving project deployments and adopting the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) methodology to ensure timely, successful project completions.
- Vendor Management: Led the assessment and integration of cutting-edge technologies like Microsoft Office 365, AZURE, and FIM, ensuring the institute stayed ahead in the rapidly evolving IT landscape.
Education and Certifications
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, Western Governors University, 2021
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in Humanities, University of Houston Clear Lake, TX, 1995
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Behavioral Science, University of Houston Clear Lake, TX, 1991
Certifications
- CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (#425805)
- PMP: Project Management Professional (#1504010)
- IT Project+: IT Project Management Certification (#COMP001004072318)
- ITIL Foundations: v3 & v4
- MCSE: Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (#2084689)
Professional Organizations
- ISC2 and ISC2 Austin Chapter – CISSP Exam Writer (Multiple sessions)
- Project Management International (PMI) and PMI-Austin Chapter