David Donahue

About David Donahue

As a Cybersecurity Specialist in the U.S. Coast Guard, I specialize in assisting requirements owners in ensuring compliance with DHS FITARA (Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act) requirements. My role focuses on aligning technology strategy with mission-critical objectives, optimizing IT investments, and strengthening cybersecurity resilience across Coast Guard operations.With a deep understanding of enterprise architecture, risk management, and IT governance, I collaborate with key stakeholders in their efforts to design and implement secure, scalable, and efficient IT solutions. My expertise spans cybersecurity frameworks (NIST, RMF), cloud modernization, zero trust architecture, and IT Acquisition Requirements (ITAR), all aimed at enhancing the Coast Guard\'s digital capabilities while maintaining regulatory compliance.Driven by a passion for safeguarding national security interests through technology, I am committed to advancing cyber resilience, IT modernization, and strategic planning within DHS and the broader federal IT landscape. Core Expertise: Cybersecurity Systems Requirements Planning FITARA Compliance & IT Governance Risk Management Framework (RMF) & NIST Standards Reviewing IT contracting documents for USCG Enterprise Architecture, Cloud, Zero Trust, and Identity Management. Assisting requirements owners navigating contract development for FITARA compliance. Experience conducting IT Audits in support of financial compliance AML/SoX.Always open to connecting with professionals in federal IT, cybersecurity, and enterprise architecture to exchange insights and drive innovation in securing mission-critical systems.I am passionate about Governance Risk Compliance and Cybersecurity, and I am pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance at Western Governors University. I have completed the Google Cybersecurity course, where I learned and applied new skills in MySQL, Linux security, and incident response. I am also interested in GRC auditing of IT systems, and I have created a home SIEM to practice risk assessment and mitigation. My goal is to leverage my military background and technical skills to contribute to the security and compliance of IT systems.

Experience

1. Cyber Security Specialist

   U.S. Coast Guard

   Oct 2024 — Present · Seattle, WA, US

   IT Cybersecurity Specialist (INFOSEC/ENTARCH), GS-2210-11United States Coast Guard (USCG), Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber and Intelligence Service Center (C5ISC), C5ISC Vendor Management Section in Seattle, WA.

Education

• Western Governors University

  Associates in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, Information Technology

• Thomas Edison State University

  Associate of Science - AS, Applied Electronics Studies