10+ Years
Security and infrastructure engineering across enterprise production environments
Principal Architect Mindset. Hands-On Engineering Execution.
I build secure, observable systems with infrastructure as code, SRE discipline, and automation pipelines that hold up under real-world pressure.
I am Daniel Shaw, a security-focused infrastructure engineer and architect. My work leans toward individual contributor and principal architect roles: designing resilient platforms, implementing IaC, building DevOps workflows, and operationalizing continuous monitoring with direct command-line execution.
6 Roles in 6 Years
Progressed from systems administration into IT and cybersecurity leadership through hands-on delivery
IC + Leadership
Hands-on architecture and delivery, with proven team leadership when needed
Professional Focus
Secure Platform Engineering
Security-first platform design across Linux environments, network controls, and hardened service boundaries that reduce blast radius while preserving uptime.
Systems Architecture
High-availability architecture with deterministic behavior, dependency-aware planning, and practical migration paths for multi-site infrastructure.
IaC and DevOps Pipelines
Ansible, Bash, Python, and Linux-centered workflows for repeatable provisioning, policy enforcement, safer deployments, and faster remediation.
SRE and Continuous Monitoring
Telemetry-first operations, incident response integration, and continuous monitoring patterns that keep systems observable, measurable, and recoverable.
Experience
2022 - Present
Director of Security · Imprivata
Leading security programs while remaining hands-on in architecture, automation, and operational reliability across production systems.
- Designed secure platform architecture patterns for high-availability production environments.
- Implemented infrastructure as code guardrails for repeatable and auditable change.
- Expanded continuous monitoring coverage across network, host, and service telemetry.
- Improved incident readiness with automation-led response and containment workflows.
- Drove reliability outcomes by aligning security controls to uptime and SLO objectives.
- Mentored engineers while still owning complex command-line and systems delivery work.
2016 - 2022
SecureLink · Systems Administrator to Director of IT & Cybersecurity
Advanced through six technical roles by delivering platform engineering, cloud automation, SOC/CSIRT operations, and large-scale infrastructure hardening.
- Progressed through six roles by consistently delivering production-grade technical outcomes.
- Built Linux-first automation workflows for provisioning, hardening, and operations.
- Standardized deployment and change-management paths to reduce configuration drift.
- Contributed to SOC/CSIRT functions including triage, investigation, and remediation.
- Led hardening and migration initiatives across cloud and on-prem infrastructure.
- Improved observability and service reliability through baseline monitoring practices.
2008 - 2010
High Security Locksmith · 24HR Locksmith
Delivered high-security residential, commercial, and automotive services in Houston.
- Delivered high-security lock and access services across residential and commercial clients.
- Diagnosed physical security failures quickly in time-sensitive field conditions.
- Executed precision installation and remediation work with strong safety discipline.
- Managed high-pressure service calls requiring calm, structured troubleshooting.
- Built practical threat-model instincts around entry points, controls, and failure modes.
2003 - 2007
Infantry · US Army
Built operational discipline, mission execution focus, and team performance under constrained conditions.
- Built strong execution discipline in high-stakes, resource-constrained environments.
- Developed repeatable mission planning habits that transfer directly to systems work.
- Strengthened decision-making under pressure with clear operational accountability.
- Learned team coordination patterns essential for incident response and recovery.
- Established a durable foundation for resilient thinking and technical ownership.
Operating Model
My operating model is systems-first and engineering-heavy: map dependencies, codify infrastructure, embed monitoring by default, automate delivery pipelines, and preserve forensic visibility from design through incident response.