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Mark Vanis
Director, Information Security at GreatAmerica Financial Services
Iowa City, IA, United States
Details
Experience:
The Director, Information Security performs two core functions for the enterprise. The first is to provide ownership to GreatAmerica’s Identity and Access Management Program. This includes oversight and implementation of formal IAM Policy, Standards, and Procedures to ensure that GreatAmerica can centrally manage user provisioning, deprovisioning, authentication, and authorization. This position also provides technical leadership in addition to solution execution over Access Management, Identity Governance & Administration, Privileged Access Management, Directory Services and Cloud Security.
The second function is to provide continuous monitoring and governance of current program objectives and performance within the Vulnerability Management, Penetration Testing, API and Web application testing, and User Awareness programs at GreatAmerica.
Additionally, this position will collaborate with many functions across the business to ensure the integrity and maturity of GreatAmerica’s security posture by promoting best practices, conducting risk assessments, and providing general security consultation. As a result, the Director, Information Security is expected to have a thorough understanding of complex IT systems and stay up to date with the latest security standards, systems and authentication protocols.
2022 : Present
GreatAmerica Financial Services
Director, Information Security
Security Solution Administration
Support and contribute to the overall company security posture. Perform daily administrative tasks related to all in-scope information security solutions. Perform daily operational real-time monitoring and analysis of security events from all in-scope information security solutions. Analyze potential attack vectors and explore resolution options using applicable risk assessments. Assists with containment of threats and remediation of environment during or after an incident. Provide security related on-call emergency support, as defined by standard operating procedures. Coordinate security plans with applicable third party service providers. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the Information Security industry, including awareness of new or updated security solutions, improved security processes and the development of new attacks and threat vectors. Collect and maintain data needed to provide standard metrics to the Information Security Committee. Participate in the development of, administer and mature security operations processes. Assist with security control testing and verification. Escalate identified issues to leadership in a timely manner. Participate in user training exercises.
Identity and Access Management
Confer with users regarding digital identities and access to enterprise information systems and data. Ensure proper documentation is received and appropriate authority of those approving access to enterprise information systems. Ensure users have the appropriate access levels specifically authorized to them to access information on systems and applications. Couple with business units and functions to monitor and review access to enterprise information systems. Assist application administrators with security access related issues within all enterprise information systems. Coordinate with applicable business units, functional and support teams to ensure IAM standards are being met.
2019 : 2022
GreatAmerica Financial Services
Information Security Analyst
Responsible for the successful delivery of long term, strategic initiatives within the specific business capabilities they support at GreatAmerica. Working with decision makers to develop and implement technology solutions for both internal and external customers.
Essential Functions
Business Capabilities Management
o Knowledgeable in supported business capabilities to translate business needs into requirements for successful development of technology solutions
o Understanding of supported business capabilities to effectively collaborate with internal customers and stakeholders
o Maintain awareness of changes that have an impact on the overall business capabilities to plan and prioritize accordingly (e.g. projects, interdependencies, maintenance, enhancements)
o Serve in a solutions-oriented role, promoting change and process improvement
o Manage benefits realization to ensure business capability needs are being met by projects and enhancements
Project Management
o Understand business and technology needs to deliver solutions that meet the business objectives and align with the Enterprise Architectural Tenets
o Conduct business requirement sessions to understand current and future business needs
o Serve as the primary point of contact to maintain a strong and collaborative relationship with all project stakeholders
o Actively manage projects per established standards and procedures
o Work with leadership to acquire needed resources to effectively execute the project
o Remove roadblocks in order to ensure success on moving projects forward
o Manage changing priorities and address issues quickly and professionally
o Effectively communicate project status (e.g. status reports, deliverables, issues)
o Adapt to different project management and development methodologies (agile, waterfall, hybrid)
2016 : 2019
GreatAmerica Financial Services
Technology Program Manager
2015 : 2016
GreatAmerica Financial Services
Financial Analyst
Provide first line supervision for wafer fab production to ensure production schedules are met while maintaining a cost effective, high-quality and efficient production environment
Assist in cost reduction analysis, work flow analysis and other functions and projects as requested to support management of wafer fab
Effectively select, counsel, and motivate production operators to create a healthy production environment and maximize production capability
Correct problems in relation to the wafer fab production function and work continuous improvement projects in support of fab activities
Implement and monitor safety/ergonomic rules and standards to provide a safe working environment for all production personnel
Follow production priorities and status throughout the shift and communicate with Production Supervisors from other shifts to ensure continuous synchronization of production efforts
Interface with Human Resources on hiring, employee issues, promotions and terminations
2013 : 2015
Atmel Corporation
Production Supervisor
The second function is to provide continuous monitoring and governance of current program objectives and performance within the Vulnerability Management, Penetration Testing, API and Web application testing, and User Awareness programs at GreatAmerica.
Additionally, this position will collaborate with many functions across the business to ensure the integrity and maturity of GreatAmerica’s security posture by promoting best practices, conducting risk assessments, and providing general security consultation. As a result, the Director, Information Security is expected to have a thorough understanding of complex IT systems and stay up to date with the latest security standards, systems and authentication protocols.
2022 : Present
GreatAmerica Financial Services
Director, Information Security
Security Solution Administration
Support and contribute to the overall company security posture. Perform daily administrative tasks related to all in-scope information security solutions. Perform daily operational real-time monitoring and analysis of security events from all in-scope information security solutions. Analyze potential attack vectors and explore resolution options using applicable risk assessments. Assists with containment of threats and remediation of environment during or after an incident. Provide security related on-call emergency support, as defined by standard operating procedures. Coordinate security plans with applicable third party service providers. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the Information Security industry, including awareness of new or updated security solutions, improved security processes and the development of new attacks and threat vectors. Collect and maintain data needed to provide standard metrics to the Information Security Committee. Participate in the development of, administer and mature security operations processes. Assist with security control testing and verification. Escalate identified issues to leadership in a timely manner. Participate in user training exercises.
Identity and Access Management
Confer with users regarding digital identities and access to enterprise information systems and data. Ensure proper documentation is received and appropriate authority of those approving access to enterprise information systems. Ensure users have the appropriate access levels specifically authorized to them to access information on systems and applications. Couple with business units and functions to monitor and review access to enterprise information systems. Assist application administrators with security access related issues within all enterprise information systems. Coordinate with applicable business units, functional and support teams to ensure IAM standards are being met.
2019 : 2022
GreatAmerica Financial Services
Information Security Analyst
Responsible for the successful delivery of long term, strategic initiatives within the specific business capabilities they support at GreatAmerica. Working with decision makers to develop and implement technology solutions for both internal and external customers.
Essential Functions
Business Capabilities Management
o Knowledgeable in supported business capabilities to translate business needs into requirements for successful development of technology solutions
o Understanding of supported business capabilities to effectively collaborate with internal customers and stakeholders
o Maintain awareness of changes that have an impact on the overall business capabilities to plan and prioritize accordingly (e.g. projects, interdependencies, maintenance, enhancements)
o Serve in a solutions-oriented role, promoting change and process improvement
o Manage benefits realization to ensure business capability needs are being met by projects and enhancements
Project Management
o Understand business and technology needs to deliver solutions that meet the business objectives and align with the Enterprise Architectural Tenets
o Conduct business requirement sessions to understand current and future business needs
o Serve as the primary point of contact to maintain a strong and collaborative relationship with all project stakeholders
o Actively manage projects per established standards and procedures
o Work with leadership to acquire needed resources to effectively execute the project
o Remove roadblocks in order to ensure success on moving projects forward
o Manage changing priorities and address issues quickly and professionally
o Effectively communicate project status (e.g. status reports, deliverables, issues)
o Adapt to different project management and development methodologies (agile, waterfall, hybrid)
2016 : 2019
GreatAmerica Financial Services
Technology Program Manager
2015 : 2016
GreatAmerica Financial Services
Financial Analyst
Provide first line supervision for wafer fab production to ensure production schedules are met while maintaining a cost effective, high-quality and efficient production environment
Assist in cost reduction analysis, work flow analysis and other functions and projects as requested to support management of wafer fab
Effectively select, counsel, and motivate production operators to create a healthy production environment and maximize production capability
Correct problems in relation to the wafer fab production function and work continuous improvement projects in support of fab activities
Implement and monitor safety/ergonomic rules and standards to provide a safe working environment for all production personnel
Follow production priorities and status throughout the shift and communicate with Production Supervisors from other shifts to ensure continuous synchronization of production efforts
Interface with Human Resources on hiring, employee issues, promotions and terminations
2013 : 2015
Atmel Corporation
Production Supervisor
Company:
GreatAmerica Financial Services
About
Experienced Information Security professional with a demonstrated history of architecting and managing effective security programs. Specific domains include Endpoint Detection and Response, Vulnerability Management, Incident Response, Identity and Access Management, and Audit/Governance.