Robert Praul

Robert Praul

Technology Director & Cybersecurity Expert

About Me

As a Technology Director with over 25 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, I specialize in providing executive-level consulting to enterprises seeking to strengthen their security posture. My expertise in information security governance, risk management, and compliance enables organizations to develop robust security strategies aligned with business objectives.

Currently serving as the Technology Director at DivergeIT since 2006, I lead initiatives that help organizations navigate complex security challenges in an evolving threat landscape. My approach combines technical knowledge with business acumen to deliver practical, effective security solutions for businesses of all sizes.

Areas of Expertise

Security Leadership

  • CISO-level Advisory
  • Security Program Development
  • Information Security Governance
  • Strategic Security Planning
  • Security Awareness Training

Risk Management

  • Threat Modeling
  • Vulnerability Assessment
  • Risk Analysis & Mitigation
  • Business Continuity Planning
  • Disaster Recovery Strategy

Compliance & Standards

  • ISO 27001/27002
  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework
  • GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA
  • PCI DSS Compliance
  • Industry-specific Regulations

Technical Security

  • Security Architecture Design
  • Cloud Security (AWS, Azure, GCP)
  • Identity & Access Management
  • Security Operations
  • Zero Trust Architecture
  • Endpoint Protection

Professional Experience

Technology Director

DivergeIT

October 2006 - Present

  • Provide strategic direction for the technology and security services portfolio
  • Consult with enterprise clients at the CISO level on security strategy and implementation
  • Lead a team of security professionals delivering assessments, architecture reviews, and security program development
  • Develop and implement security frameworks tailored to client organizational structures and industry requirements
  • Design and implement comprehensive security architectures including network segmentation, data protection, and threat detection

IT Director

Premier IT

2006 - Present

  • Lead strategic IT planning and cybersecurity initiatives
  • Manage enterprise-level security implementation and oversight
  • Develop comprehensive security policies and procedures
  • Perform security risk assessments and implement remediation strategies

IT Director

Paul Davril Inc.

2003 - 2006

  • Managed IT infrastructure and security operations
  • Implemented security controls and compliance measures
  • Led technology planning and deployment initiatives
  • Coordinated security assessments and vulnerability remediation

Project Manager

Kenneth Cole Mens and Womens Apparel

2003 - 2005

  • Managed IT and security projects for retail operations
  • Implemented PCI compliance measures across retail systems
  • Coordinated technology deployments and security integration

Field Engineer

South Coast Computers

2001 - 2002

  • Provided on-site technical support and security services
  • Implemented secure network configurations
  • Performed security assessments and remediation

Certifications

CISSP

Certified Information Systems Security Professional

CISM

Certified Information Security Manager

CCSP

Certified Cloud Security Professional

PMP

Project Management Professional

Security Posture Expertise

I specialize in building robust security postures that protect organizations from evolving threats while enabling business growth:

Security Program Assessment

  • Comprehensive evaluation of existing security controls and measures
  • Gap analysis against frameworks like NIST CSF, ISO 27001, and CIS Controls
  • Maturity modeling to benchmark against industry standards
  • Executive-level reporting with actionable recommendations

Defense-in-Depth Strategy

  • Multi-layered security architecture design
  • Implementation of Zero Trust principles
  • Data classification and protection strategies
  • Network segmentation and access control
  • Cloud security architecture and controls

Security Operations Enhancement

  • Security monitoring and detection capabilities
  • Incident response planning and tabletop exercises
  • Security automation and orchestration
  • Threat intelligence integration
  • Vulnerability management programs

Governance, Risk, and Compliance

  • Security policy development and implementation
  • Regulatory compliance gap assessment and remediation
  • Risk management frameworks and methodologies
  • Third-party risk management programs
  • Security metrics and KPI development

Technical Interests & Expertise

As a technology director with a strong security foundation, I'm passionate about exploring emerging technologies and implementing cutting-edge security solutions:

Cloud Security

  • AWS Security Architecture
  • Azure Security Controls
  • GCP Security Framework
  • Multi-cloud Risk Management
  • Secure Cloud Migration

Development & DevSecOps

  • Secure Coding Practices
  • CI/CD Pipeline Security
  • Infrastructure as Code
  • Container Security
  • Secret Management

Emerging Technologies

  • Zero Trust Architecture
  • Secure AI Implementation
  • Blockchain Security
  • IoT Security Frameworks
  • Edge Computing Security

Current Projects

  • Advanced threat modeling methodologies
  • Secure architecture blueprints
  • Security training curriculum
  • Zero Trust implementation guide
  • Security metrics dashboard

Personal Interests

Surfing

Surfing

Passionate about catching waves at dawn and exploring new surf spots around the world.

Cooking

Cooking

Experimenting with fusion cuisine and perfecting techniques from various culinary traditions.

Yoga

Yoga

Practicing yoga to maintain balance, focus, and mindfulness in both professional and personal life.

Get in Touch

I'm always open to discussing cybersecurity challenges, professional opportunities, or connecting with like-minded professionals.