Ernie R.

About Ernie R.

As a CISSP- and CEH-certified cybersecurity executive and active member of the New York CISO Governing Body, I bring more than 20 years of experience in transforming cybersecurity from a reactive necessity to a strategic advantage.Throughout my career, I’ve developed and led security programs that reduce risk, safeguard assets, and enable growth. I’ve achieved significant reductions in critical and high vulnerabilities—up to 95%—by implementing modern, layered defenses, deploying tools like SIEM, EDR, DLP, IAM, and PAM, and working hand-in-hand with legal, HR, and executive teams to integrate security into the heart of business decisions.But beyond the technical details, I believe in the power of cybersecurity to build trust and resilience—core pillars that enable organizations to thrive. I’m particularly interested in how AI is reshaping the future of security, bringing new opportunities for proactive threat detection and smarter incident response.I thrive at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and leadership, and I’m always exploring new ways to stay ahead of evolving threats while supporting growth and innovation.Here’s what drives me- Building security programs that align with global standards and compliance requirements- Collaborating across the business to create security cultures that last- Exploring how AI can transform security from a reactive shield into a proactive advantage- Leading with a vision that security should empower innovation and fuel progressI am always open to sharing ideas, learning from peers, and exploring new ways to build a more secure, resilient world.

Experience

1. CISO Governing Board Member

   Evanta, A Gartner Company

   Sep 2022 — Present

Education

• Utica College of Syracuse University

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Cybersecurity and Information Assurance

  2007 — 2010

• Utica University

  Master of Science (MS), Cybersecurity - Intelligence and Forensics

  2010 — 2012