Donald Gardner

Cyber Security Researcher

(425) 245-4899 | Charlotte, NC | Donald.gardner4321@gmail.com

LinkedIn | Video Portfolio

Customer-focused cybersecurity professional specializing in applying the NIST and CIS frameworks to enhance organizational security posture. Reduces cyber risk and operational delays by teaching best practices. Communicates technical information to non-technical people. A lifelong learner who is quick to adopt and implement new technologies. Business instructor experience brings a financial approach to determine cost-effectiveness of security controls. Continuously upskilling through certifications, home lab work, and GRC frameworks to stay current in GRC and cybersecurity.

Key Accomplishments

• Leveraging AI to design, develop, and deploy an AWS cloud-hosted resume project.
• Prepared system security plan for small businesses using the CIS IG1 framework.
• Developed scripts in Linux and Python.
• Upgraded skills using a VMware home lab focused on ethical hacking and security testing.
• Saved government agency $250,000 by designing and building monitoring system for Microwave Landing System using an in-house solution. Bonus for exceeding project requirements.

Professional Experience

Fractional Governance Risk and Compliance Analyst | Caldera Cyber Security Services 7/2026 – present

Fractional Governance Risk and Compliance Analyst | Secure My Cyber 3/2024 – 6/2026

• Led a CIS IG1-security audit that raised a small business's security posture from Tier 1 to Tier 2 by identifying critical gaps such as missing backups and outdated systems.
• Taught a cybersecurity course for Mangate (India), instructing students from South Korea on risk management, security controls, and best practices in IT security.
• Collaborated on vulnerability assessments for MAI Capital Management, analyzing security risks in Google Analytics and browser plugins.

Certification Instructor | Industrial Automation & Cybersecurity for America Foundation 2/2023 – 2/2024

Provided remote instruction for CompTIA Security+, Network+, and A+ certifications.

• Recorded 20+ YouTube videos to clarify concepts and support students with course labs.
• Increased student engagement through interactive labs and YouTube tutorials.
• Facilitated the creation of home labs to enhance students’ practical experience.

Cybersecurity Intern | Four-18 Intelligence Cyber Tradecraft WA Internship 4/2022 – 9/2022

Participated in several key projects, including:

• Designed, tested, and documented a detailed ransomware disaster recovery plan at T. Bailey Inc. to ensure business continuity. Ensured availability by backing up and restoring files, folders, servers, and Active Directory user accounts. Wrote report with step-by-step instructions and YouTube videos to restore deleted items. Used the 3-2-1-1-0 backup storage strategy in recovery presentation.
• Participated in a team project on the MITRE ATT&CK Framework with three members. Presented tactics of reconnaissance, initial access, execution, and persistence.
• iQ4 certification. Collaborated in a team of five to deliver nine presentations on the NIST framework.

CISO and System Administrator | Student Circle Tutoring 9/2018 – 12/2022

Chief Information Security Officer and website administrator for front-end and back-end of website.

• Installed backup and multi-factor authentication plugins for website.
• Aided in designing parts of website.

Platform Engineer | Abbtech Professional Services 1/2021 – 7/2021

Serviced 19 Foot Locker locations across Western Washington as a contractor.

• Migrated Windows 7 workstations to Windows 10.
• Configured endpoints for remote maintenance.
• Deployed 9 Windows 10 laptops with external monitors.
• Assisted in installing encryption software and setting the password to secure BIOS.

Help Desk and Media Technician | Edmonds College | Lynnwood, Washington 7/2019 – 6/2020

Provided Tier 2 help desk support. Installed and configured endpoints and media equipment.

• Diagnosed and resolved technical issues in classroom.
• Remotely re-imaged over 30 endpoints to ensure compliance with school policy.
• Developed procedures to configure media equipment.

Cybersecurity Technical Writer at Nanning Normal University | China 9/2016 – 4/2022

Edited the following cybersecurity manuscripts:

• Practical Insecurity Protocol with XOR in Two’s Complement
• Secure File Storage and Retrieval in the Cloud, 9th Int’l Conference on Industrial Technology
• Improved Secure RSA Cryptosystem, IJNS (International Journal of Network Security)

Business Instructor at Huizhou University, Huizhou, China 9/2012 – 7/2018

• Business and Finance teacher. Initiated “Elite Financial Management” class. Taught class how to analyze financial statements from popular companies such as Microsoft using financial ratios.
• Classroom policies resulted in 98% attendance.
• De-escalated conflict: resolved grading issues with assistance from student monitors.
• Studied beginning Chinese language.

Education & Training

Associate of Technical Arts, Cybersecurity Digital Forensics | Edmonds College

One year of Cisco networking coursework

Digital Forensics | University of Washington at Tacoma

Master of Science, Organizational Management | Information Technology

University of La Verne, Anchorage, Alaska Branch

Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering | Seattle University

Certifications

CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+

Akylade Artificial Intelligence Security Practitioner, Cyber Resilience Fundamentals

MITRE Adversary Emulation Methodology, Cyber Threat Intelligence

Community Involvement

ISC2 Charlotte Metro Chapter

Provides a platform for networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among professionals passionate about practical cybersecurity solutions.

ISSA Charlotte Metro

The Charlotte Metro Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) is a non-profit group dedicated to providing educational and networking opportunities to members in order to promote the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and growth within the information security profession.