Collegeville, PA | jp@jpsdomain.org | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jp-vossen-cissp-14b757/
Senior Security Engineer | Automation, Docs-as-Code & Engineering Productivity
Co-author of bash Cookbook (O’Reilly 1st 2007, 2nd 2017) and bash Idioms (O’Reilly 2022).
Information security professional since 1997, with a background in IT dating to 1991 and predominantly remote work since 2002. A hands-on senior individual contributor and force multiplier who thrives on solving problems, making complex or repetitive tasks simpler, more reliable, and easier to maintain. I find a problem or build a tool, document it, automate it, put it in version control, establish a repeatable process around it, and make sure nobody has to think about it again.
CORE COMPETENCIES & TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Core Competencies: Problem Solving, Troubleshooting, Technical Writing & Documentation (especially Docs-as-Code), Scripting & Automation for Engineering Tooling, Engineering Enablement & Productivity, Process Improvement, Version Control, Code Review, Copyediting, Information Security, Remote Work & Distributed Team Collaboration.
- AI & LLM Tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Ollama.
- Cloud Platforms: AWS (foundational), Linode.
- Development & Collaboration Tools: Atlassian, Git, Forgejo, Subversion, Redmine.
- Configuration Management Tools: Ansible, Terraform (foundational).
- Documentation & Publishing Tools: AsciiDoc, HTML, Hugo, Markdown, MkDocs, Pandoc, Wikis.
- Infrastructure Tools: BackupPC, Etckeeper, Icinga2, Logcheck, NTP, OpenSSH, Opsview, Postfix, Proxmox, RANCID.
- Operating Systems: Debian, Linux Mint, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Oracle Linux (OEL), CentOS, Rocky Linux, Ubuntu.
- Scripting & Languages: Bash, Graphviz, Perl, Python, Regular Expressions (PCRE).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
British Telecom, BT Americas, Dallas, TX December 2015–September 2026
Senior Security Engineer — BT Assure Threat Monitoring, Reston, VA (Remote)
Hands-on team lead for an international engineering team supporting security infrastructure across five global data centers, with a focus on automation, tooling, configuration management, and engineering productivity.
- Consolidated six Ansible patching scripts into a shared library and Bash wrapper, eliminating duplicated and inconsistent code while adding features and improving reliability, consistency, and reporting for a 12-person team across ~20 monthly and ~30 quarterly patching tasks.
- Developed Python-based API data extractors to retrieve authoritative CMDB data for downstream automation.
- Streamlined engineering workflows across multiple teams through automation, documentation, version control improvements, troubleshooting, and process standardization.
- Collaborated on design, implementation, debugging, and QA of Assure Threat Monitoring systems.
Silent Circle, Washington, DC April 2014–October 2015
Senior Systems Engineer, March 2015–October 2015 (Remote)
Supported, automated, and improved IT systems for global customer service, IT, and Engineering.
- Wrote and updated documentation for multiple groups.
- Assisted with operations across global data centers using ESXi and Ganeti/KVM (CentOS, Debian, Ubuntu); Ansible configuration.
- Developed Bash and Perl automation and provided technical support for the Engineering team.
Director, Customer Support, April 2014–March 2015 (Hybrid)
- Designed/built the customer support operation for global rollout of Blackphone.
- Wrote most initial support documentation; edited the remainder.
Counterpane Internet Security (acquired by BT) January 2002–April 2014
Acquired by BT Americas (Dallas, TX) in October 2006; formerly headquartered in Cupertino, CA.
Senior Security Engineer, May 2005–April 2014 (Remote)
Delivered custom Red Hat/CentOS Linux security platforms for managed log monitoring, retention, and intrusion detection.
- Implemented automated and semi-automated signature update systems, increasing reliability and reducing processing time by 50%.
- Improved processes, automation, and documentation across Platform Delivery.
- Collaborated on system design, debugging, QA, troubleshooting, training, and mentoring.
- Maintained Linux development and testing environments.
- Developed Bash and Perl automation and provided technical support to multiple teams.
- Facilitated version control with CVS/SVN and documentation in MediaWiki.
Integration Manager, January 2002–May 2005 (Remote)
Managed integration of customer networks into Counterpane’s managed security monitoring service.
- Ensured customer satisfaction and successful service adoption.
- Developed and updated the Integration Methodology for new customers.
- Performed research/testing to integrate unique customer environments into monitoring workflows.
TechTarget SearchSecurity.com, Needham, MA January 2004–December 2005
Technical Writer (Freelance / Remote)
- Wrote monthly “Network Security Tip” articles for SearchSecurity.com and Network Security Newsletter.
- Answered user-submitted security questions in the “Ask the Expert” forum.
- See https://www.jpsdomain.org/jp/ for pointers to published articles.
Information Security Magazine, Norwood, MA January 2001–December 2003
Technical Editor (Freelance / Remote)
- Tested new security products and wrote technical reviews.
- Researched/wrote feature pieces on network security technologies and practices.
- Provided technical fact‑checking for editorial staff.
- See https://www.jpsdomain.org/jp/ for pointers to published articles.
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- AlphaNet Solutions, Inc. — Wayne, PA | Network Consultant I / II / III | 1997–2002
- The Reohr Group, Inc. — Valley Forge, PA | Consultant | 1994–1997
- Day & Zimmerman Information Solutions — Radnor, PA | Systems Support Analyst | 1993–1994
- Popular Club Plan — Garfield, NJ | PC Support Specialist | 1991–1993
CERTIFICATIONS
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) since 2000.
- See LinkedIn for older certifications.
EDUCATION
- BS, Information Science — University of Pittsburgh.
- Minor: English Writing.