Daniel Parra

About Daniel Parra

I’m an enterprise security architecture leader with a hands-on foundation and a bias toward real-world execution.Over the past 20+ years, I’ve built and delivered security and infrastructure solutions across semiconductor R&D, healthcare systems, and Fortune 500 environments, including periods of acquisition, integration, and organizational transformation where security had to enable continuity, protect intellectual property, and align with evolving business strategy.At Fortra Digital Guardian, I’ve grown through six roles and now lead the global cloud data protection practice supporting 300+ enterprise clients. That progression came from staying close to the field, solving complex deployment challenges, influencing product direction based on real-world experience, and scaling repeatable frameworks that align with modern cloud architectures and Microsoft Purview–based environments.Earlier in my career at Broadcom, I served as lead infrastructure resource for newly acquired engineering sites during active semiconductor tapeouts, standardizing identity, endpoint, and data center controls under zero-downtime constraints. That experience shaped how I approach security architecture today: controls must align with operational velocity, financial exposure, and measurable enterprise risk.I hold CISSP, CCSP, and Microsoft SC-100 certifications and maintain deep familiarity with Microsoft’s security ecosystem, including Defender, Sentinel, and Purview, understanding how data protection, classification, cloud security, and SIEM capabilities interconnect within enterprise architectures. I operate comfortably as either a senior individual contributor or a people leader, working at the intersection of engineering, risk, and business alignment.I’m multilingual, have worked across every continent, and believe clarity, humility, and accountability matter as much as technical depth. I mentor intentionally, solve complex problems without drama, and lead from the field.

Experience

1. Director Professional Services Cloud Data Protection

   Fortra

   Aug 2019 — Present · US

   As Director of Fortra’s global cloud data protection practice, I provide strategic and technical leadership across enterprise security architecture engagements supporting 300+ global organizations. I operate at the intersection of engineering, product, and executive stakeholders to align data protection strategy with regulatory obligations, operational realities, and measurable enterprise risk outcomes.Strategic Leadership & Commercial Impact* Scaled and modernized the global cloud data protection practice, influencing $200M+ in cloud managed services revenue through architectural standardization and cloud transition strategy* Led transition from traditional on-prem delivery to scalable cloud-hosted managed service offerings, enabling recurring revenue growth and majority customer migration to cloud deployments* Served as trusted advisor to CISO, CIO, and VP-level security leaders, translating business risk and regulatory requirements into executable security architecture and product roadmap input* Influenced Product & Engineering direction based on field intelligence from enterprise deploymentsEnterprise Architecture & Execution* Architected and led complex security programs for Fortune 500 and Global Customers* Integrated data classification, endpoint protection, insider risk, and SIEM capabilities across hybrid environments* Led executive briefings, architecture workshops, POCs, and high-risk account recovery initiatives* Directed deployments under HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOX, and ITAR constraints with 95%+ post-engagement satisfactionOrganizational & Innovation Leadership* Built the global Content Pack forming the enterprise policy baseline for scalable implementations* Co-designed core DLP workflows; contributed production-level code* Developed KPI and operational metrics frameworks to improve visibility and decision velocity* Developed senior consultants into regional leadership roles across North America, EMEA, and APAC

Education

• Pontificia Universidad Javeriana

  Computer Science - Information Systems, Engineering

  1998 — 2000

• Western Governors University

  Master of Science - MS, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

• Universidad Piloto de Colombia

  Computer Science - Information Systems, Engineering

  2000 — 2001

• Western Governors University

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance

• Cornell University

  Product Management for Engineering, Product Management

Skills

• Windows Xp
• Security
• Operating Systems
• Active Directory
• Windows Server
• Professional Services
• Virtualization
• Vpn
• Sccm
• Citrix
• Infrastructure
• Solutions Design
• Dns
• Integration
• Vmware
• Data Center
• System Deployment
• Servers
• Microsoft Exchange
• System Administration