Syed Ahmed

About Syed Ahmed

With over 15 years of experience in Information Technology and more than 10 years specializing in Cybersecurity, I currently lead all technology and information security efforts at Valaura Health, the healthcare technology division of Rapid Talent Group. As a founder, I’ve helped shape our vision to develop innovative SaaS applications and deliver full-service clinical and call center solutions for the healthcare industry.Our current AI-powered platform focuses on elderly patient care, with a strong emphasis on medication adherence. By blending intelligent automation with compassionate, clinician-led outreach, we\'re improving patient outcomes, reducing preventable setbacks, and raising the standard of care through smart, human-centered tools.My background includes deep expertise in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), with experience across Third-Party Risk, Due Diligence, Risk Assessments, Incident Response Plans, Security Awareness Training, and managing ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certifications.I’m also proficient in conducting security assessments aligned with leading standards and frameworks, including ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type I & II, HIPAA, FFIEC, NIST CSF, NIST 800-53 (Rev 4 & 5), and FedRAMP. I’ve led both proactive and reactive Security Operations Center (SOC) activities using SIEM tools, IDS/IPS, vulnerability scanners, sandbox environments, and open-source technologies.

Experience

1. Director of Operations

   Tech Duels

   Dec 2019 — Present · Fairfax County, VA, US

   Orchestrated strategic planning and execution of technology debate events, aligning with organizational objectives and upholding high-quality standards- Led a cross-functional team in event planning, logistics, and participant coordination, fostering collaboration and efficiency- Integrated cutting-edge technologies into debate events, enhancing participant experiences and staying current with industry trends- Efficiently allocated resources, including budget, staff, and technology, to optimize operational capabilities for successful event execution- Established and enforced quality standards for event logistics, technology infrastructure, and participant services- Implemented continuous improvement processes, utilizing feedback and data analytics to enhance operational workflows and overall event effectiveness- Fostered collaboration with internal departments, external partners, and stakeholders for a cohesive and streamlined approach to event operations.