John J Rice

About John J Rice

Manager of Information Technology and Security with over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, IT infrastructure management, and strategic leadership. Expert in aligning technology strategies with business goals, specializing in robust information security policies and team mentorship.As the Manager of Information Technology and Security at NYSERNet, I excel in orchestrating IT and security infrastructure for a non-profit organization, ensuring high-performance network and cloud services for New York\'s research and education institutions. My role involves strategic planning, effective technology utilization, and leading a skilled team towards innovation and efficiency. I prioritize crafting and implementing information security measures, managing IT infrastructure, and ensuring compliance, fostering a secure and reliable IT environment.Core Skills: Cybersecurity | Strategic Leadership | Information Security Expertise | Team Leadership and Mentorship | Infrastructure Management | Budget Oversight | Security and Compliance AssuranceAccomplishments- Led the strategic overhaul of IT and security infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency and security- Mentored a team of IT professionals, fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture- Successfully managed technology investments, optimizing resource utilization and budget efficiency.Contact me for opportunities where strategic IT leadership, cybersecurity expertise, and team mentorship can drive organizational success. Let\'s connect and explore how we can achieve exceptional outcomes together.

Experience

1. Azure Ad M365 Architecture & Security

   Pathfinder Bank

   Jul 2025 — Present

   I lead Pathfinder Bank’s modernization and security transformation initiatives across Microsoft 365, Azure, and hybrid infrastructure environments. My role bridges strategic planning, enterprise architecture, and hands-on technical implementation to deliver a resilient, compliant, and security-mature technology ecosystem.Key Achievements & Responsibilities:Microsoft 365 / Entra ID Modernization: Architected and implemented the Bank’s hybrid Entra ID environment, migrating from on-prem Exchange 2019 to Exchange Online. Designed secure identity synchronization, hybrid authentication, and conditional access policies to meet NY DFS Part 500 and FFIEC compliance standards.Security Hardening & Zero Trust Adoption: Deployed advanced Microsoft Defender security stack (Defender for Office 365, Identity, Endpoint, and Cloud Apps) and implemented DLP, Purview Information Protection, and insider risk controls across the M365 suite.Endpoint & Patch Management: Implemented Intune-based device management (Windows, iOS, Android) and introduced Autopatch and compliance policies to centralize updates, configuration baselines, and mobile security posture.Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC): Developed and enforced cloud security baselines aligned to CIS/NIST frameworks. Created policy documentation, auditing workflows, and continuous compliance dashboards for management and regulatory reporting.Automation & Operational Efficiency: Authored PowerShell runbooks to streamline user lifecycle management, mailbox provisioning, group policy migration, and Exchange hybrid maintenance—significantly reducing administrative overhead and improving reliability.Strategic Leadership: Partnered with executive leadership, vendors, and business units to align technology initiatives with organizational goals. Managed vendor relations and budget planning for licensing, infrastructure, and security tooling.

Education

• University of Phoenix

  Bachelor’s Degree, Information Systems/IS Security concentration

  2012

• University of Oxford

  Continuing Education , Intelligent systems program

  2013 — 2013

• SUNY Empire State College

  Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.S.), Information Tech

  1996 — 1998

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Continuing Education , Applied Cybersecurity

  2018 — 2018

Skills

• Active Directory
• Xp
• Windows Server
• Hardware
• Cisco
• System Deployment
• Servers
• Cisco Technologies
• Os X
• Mac Os X
• IT Operations
• Tcp/Ip
• Microsoft Exchange
• Vmware
• Systems Engineering
• Integration
• Linux
• Software Documentation
• Networking
• Hp
• Telecommunications
• System Administration
• Vpn
• IT Service Management
• Systems Management
• Enterprise Software
• Management
• Information Technology
• Citrix
• Firewalls
• Disaster Recovery
• Windows Xp
• Project Management
• Network Administration
• Technical Support
• Operating Systems
• Switches
• Windows 7
• IT Management
• Windows