Name: David Emily "DaveEm" KimRodriguez
Age: 38 33
Education: Master's in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign M.S. in Information Security Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, B.S. in Accounting Computer Science from Indiana University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Professional Background:
128+ years of experience in public accountingsecurity engineering and architecture, focusing on audit and assurance services for large commercial and public sector organizationsdesigning and implementing security controls.
Focus areas: Leading audit teams, managing client relationships, developing audit plans, executing audit procedures, and reviewing workpapersCloud security, network security, endpoint security, identity and access management (IAM), and security automation.
Previous roles: Audit Manager Security Engineer at a Big Four accounting firm, Senior Associate at a national accounting firm, Staff Accountant at a regional accounting firmtechnology company, Cloud Security Architect at a cybersecurity consulting firm, Security Consultant at a government agency.
Special certifications or skills: Certified Public Accountant (CPAInformation Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Project Management Professional (PMP)
Industry: Accounting and Audit
Responsibilities:
Plan and execute audit engagements, overseeing the work of audit teams and ensuring adherence to professional standards and deadlines.
Manage client relationships, addressing client concerns and questions, and providing updates on audit progress.
Review audit work papers for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with auditing standards.
Identify and assess audit risks and control deficiencies, and develop recommendations for improvement.
Mentor and develop junior audit staff, providing guidance and feedback on their work.
Goals:
Deliver high-quality audit services that meet or exceed client expectations and regulatory requirements.
Build strong relationships with clients and colleagues, fostering trust and collaboration.
Develop and mentor a high-performing audit team.
Advance within the firm and take on increasing levels of responsibility.
Challenges:
Balancing multiple audit engagements with tight deadlines and competing priorities.
Managing and motivating audit teams, especially during busy season.
Staying up-to-date on evolving auditing standards and regulatory requirements.
Communicating complex audit findings and recommendations to clients in a clear and concise manner.
Motivations:
Solving complex problems and uncovering the "truth" behind financial information.
Helping organizations improve their internal controls and financial reporting processes.
Building a successful career in public accounting and becoming a trusted advisor to clients.
Mentoring and developing junior audit staff and contributing to their professional growth.
Tech-Savviness:
Proficient in using audit software, data analytics tools, and collaboration platforms.
Comfortable with leveraging technology to automate audit procedures and streamline workflows.
Open to exploring new technologies that can enhance audit efficiency and effectiveness.
Behavioral Traits:
Detail-oriented and organized, with a strong focus on accuracy and quality.
Analytical and critical thinker, able to identify potential risks and weaknesses in financial information.
Excellent communicator and collaborator, able to build rapport with clients and team members.
Decisive and able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
Sources of Information:
Professional auditing standards and guidelines (e.g., PCAOB, AICPA).
Industry publications and research on audit and compliance (e.g., The Journal of Accountancy, Compliance Week).
Regulatory updates and guidance from relevant agencies (e.g., SEC, PCAOB).
Networking with other audit professionals and attending industry events.
Quote:
...
AWS Certified Security - Specialty, Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), SANS GIAC certifications (e.g., GSEC, GWAPT)
Industry: Varies depending on the organization's focus
Responsibilities:
Design, implement, and maintain security controls for various systems and infrastructure (e.g., firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, web application firewalls, endpoint protection, and data loss prevention).
Develop security architectures and roadmaps to align with business objectives and risk tolerance.
Evaluate new security technologies and solutions.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing.
Collaborate with other IT and security teams to ensure security is integrated into the development and operations lifecycle.
Goals:
Build a robust and layered security defense system that protects the organization from cyber threats.
Implement security controls that are effective, efficient, and user-friendly.
Stay ahead of emerging threats and vulnerabilities by continuously evaluating and improving security measures.
Foster a culture of security awareness and best practices among IT staff.
Challenges:
Keeping up with the rapidly evolving threat landscape and new attack techniques.
Integrating security into complex and diverse IT environments.
Balancing security needs with business requirements and usability.
Managing a limited budget and resources for security initiatives.
Motivations:
Building secure systems and infrastructure that protect the organization's critical assets and sensitive data.
Using technical expertise to solve complex security challenges.
Staying at the forefront of security technology and innovation.
Collaborating with other security professionals to share knowledge and best practices.
Tech-Savviness:
Highly tech-savvy with deep expertise in security technologies, protocols, and architectures.
Proficient in various scripting languages, cloud platforms, and security tools.
Able to design and implement complex security solutions that meet business requirements.
Behavioral Traits:
Analytical and problem-solving mindset, able to identify and address security risks.
Detail-oriented and methodical, with a focus on accuracy and thoroughness.
Strong communicator, able to explain technical security concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
Collaborative and team-oriented, able to work effectively with other IT and security teams.
Sources of Information:
Security blogs, forums, and online communities (e.g., SANS, Hacker News)
Industry publications and research papers on cybersecurity.
Security conferences and workshops (e.g., Black Hat, DEF CON)
Vendor documentation and training resources.
Quote:
"Security is not just about building walls; it's about creating a resilient defense that can adapt to new threats and challenges. By constantly learning and improving, we can build a security program that protects our organization and its assets."