Austin Timberlake

About Austin Timberlake

Cybersecurity Consultant specializing in vCISO advisory and Digital Forensics & Incident Response (DFIR), with over 10 years of experience spanning enterprise infrastructure, cloud, network, endpoint and security domains. I partner with executive and technical leadership teams to design secure, scalable environments and align technology decisions to business risk and operational outcomes.I help organizations strengthen security maturity through practical governance, risk-based roadmaps, and defensible assessments aligned to industry best practices and regulatory expectations. My work blends executive-facing security leadership with hands-on technical execution, allowing me to translate complex findings into actionable, business-aligned improvements.Over the past several years, I have operated in senior and lead capacities, guiding security architecture decisions across Microsoft-centric and hybrid cloud environments, improving identity and access controls, modernizing infrastructure, and enhancing incident readiness. I lead and support investigations, translate forensic findings into remediation strategies, and help teams implement controls that fit how they operate. I also integrate AI into security service delivery to improve speed, consistency, and measurable client outcomes.I hold a B.S. in Information Systems from Virginia Commonwealth University and have experience supporting healthcare and other regulated industries through cybersecurity best practices, infrastructure optimization, and structured project leadership.Outside of work, I am currently working toward my Private Pilot License. Ask me about flying.

Experience

1. Cybersecurity Consultant Dfir & Vciso

   Cyber74

   Jan 2025 — Present · US

   As a vCISO and cybersecurity advisor, I help organizations strengthen their security maturity and align their programs with industry best practices and regulatory standards. My role combines executive-level guidance with deep technical expertise across governance, digital forensics, and infrastructure security.Key Responsibilities & Achievements:• Guide managed clients through comprehensive security maturity initiatives, aligning programs with business objectives and recognized frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF).• Lead and support digital forensic engagements to determine causality, impact, and next steps for security incidents, ensuring clear communication and actionable outcomes.• Conduct independent forensic reviews for organizations requiring assessment of employee or insider activity.• Maintain and enhance internal organizational security posture through proactive policy management, including IRP and DRP development and implementation.• Provide vCISO advisory services to executive teams, translating complex technical risk into informed strategic decisions.• Perform configuration and security best-practice reviews across AWS, Azure, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and enterprise firewall environments.• Deliver technical leadership and oversight to the Security Risk Assessment team, ensuring consistent, high-quality evaluations of client environments.• Serve on security advisory boards for multiple organizations, contributing expertise in cybersecurity governance, policy, and operational resilience.• Support clients across diverse sectors including healthcare, finance, critical infrastructure, insurance, municipalities, and managed service providers (MSPs).

Education

• Abertay University

  Studied Global Perspectives

  2016 — 2016

• Virginia Commonwealth University

  Bachelor’s Degree, Business Information Systems

  2013 — 2017

Skills

• Computer Repair
• Microsoft Word
• Retail
• Cashiering
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Excel
• Windows Xp
• Leadership
• Technical Support
• Troubleshooting
• Computer Hardware
• Teamwork
• Customer Service
• Customer Satisfaction
• Windows 7
• Outlook