Ross Patz

Professional Summary

Ross is a highly skilled Director with a wealth of experience in designing, troubleshooting, and managing complex IT environments. Currently serving as a Director in the IT Risk and Cybersecurity practice, Ross plays a vital role in overseeing our consulting team and ensuring the successful delivery of projects on a day-to-day basis.

With a diverse background encompassing IT, cybersecurity, privacy, management, and operational services, Ross brings a comprehensive skill set to his role. He has a proven track record of evaluating, developing, and delivering strategic business services that align with organizational objectives. Ross consistently leverages innovative solutions to meet customer requirements and prides himself on delivering high-quality results.

Ross possesses an extensive range of technical competencies and relevant skills. His expertise includes IT Audit and assessment, patch management, penetration testing, and leading incident response efforts. He excels in risk mitigation, demonstrating a keen ability to identify vulnerabilities and implement practical measures that effectively reduce the likelihood or impact of security breaches. In addition, Ross has a wealth of experience in evaluating physical security measures through vulnerability assessments and ensuring compliance with security standards for third-party vendors and products. Ross has a strong training development and delivery background, successfully implementing training programs focused on IT, privacy, and cybersecurity. He is well-versed in testing and training on incident response processes and procedures. Ross is proficient in evaluating security plans and supporting documentation through meticulous security audits and assessments.

Continuing his pursuit of excellence, Ross is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Cyber Defense at Dakota State University, further augmenting his expertise and knowledge in the field. His dedication to academic advancement is reflected in his becoming a grant-funded researcher at Dakota State University. In this capacity, he actively contributes to impactful research projects that advance privacy and cybersecurity. Ross's research primarily focuses on addressing emerging challenges in the field, particularly on privacy. As a valued member of Prilab, a prominent privacy research laboratory, he collaborates with fellow researchers to explore cutting-edge solutions and innovations.

With his diverse skill set, profound knowledge, and commitment to research-driven practices, Ross is a valuable asset to our organization. His leadership and expertise empower our teams to deliver exceptional results and our clients to navigate the complex landscape of IT risk and cybersecurity with confidence.

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy, Cyber Defense (In Progress), Dakota State University

• Master of Science, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, Western Governors University Bachelor of Science, Information Technology Management

Professional Affiliations:

• Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)

• Information Systems Security Association (ISSA)