Matthew Kilgore

Cybersecurity Professional

Active Top Secret Clearance

U.S. Army veteran with 6+ years of experience supporting DoD cybersecurity, classified systems, network operations, and secure infrastructure. Focused on cybersecurity engineering, ISSE, systems integration, and cleared security-focused infrastructure roles.

About

I'm a cybersecurity professional who is most comfortable working where security requirements meet real infrastructure. My experience has been hands-on: hardening systems, reviewing access, troubleshooting technical issues, supporting audits, and helping keep secure environments operational.

I've worked across RMF, STIG compliance, vulnerability management, Active Directory, Splunk, Nessus/ACAS, POA&Ms, SSPs, and system authorization support. I understand both the documentation side of security and the technical work required to turn requirements into actual system changes.

Outside of work, I maintain a home infrastructure and security lab using segmented networks, Proxmox, UniFi, Wazuh, Suricata, NAS-backed storage, and self-hosted services. I use the lab to keep building practical skills in monitoring, automation, recovery testing, documentation, and secure system design.

Education

Expected July 2026

M.S., Cybersecurity & Information Assurance

Western Governors University

2025

B.S., Software Development & Security

University of Maryland Global Campus

Certifications

CompTIA Security+

Active

CompTIA CySA+

Active

ISC2 CC

Active

CompTIA PenTest+

Active

Experience

Information Systems Security Officer · Raytheon

AUG 2023AUG 2025 · Tucson, AZ

Supported classified DoD systems through RMF lifecycle activities, vulnerability management, STIG compliance, access control reviews, system hardening, and security documentation in alignment with NIST SP 800-53 and DISA STIG requirements.

  • Managed security documentation and authorization artifacts including SSPs, SARs, POA&Ms, and continuous monitoring evidence to support ATO activities
  • Improved security posture through proactive vulnerability scanning, log review, and coordinated remediation using Splunk, Nessus, Tenable/ACAS, and SCAP
  • Reduced account lifecycle risk by developing PowerShell automation for stale account identification, access reviews, and administrative reporting
RMFNIST 800-53DISA STIGsSplunkNessusTenable/ACASPowerShelleMASS

Senior Network Communications Specialist · U.S. Army

JUL 2019JUL 2023 · Germany

Led and supported network, systems, and secure communications operations for 850+ users across distributed classified and unclassified environments while maintaining operational readiness and compliance with DoD security standards.

  • Administered and troubleshot enterprise network infrastructure, Windows/Linux systems, Active Directory, VoIP, VPN/SATCOM, and secure communications equipment
  • Led and trained 30 personnel on network operations, system administration, troubleshooting workflows, security hardening, and technical documentation
  • Reduced administrative overhead through PowerShell automation while supporting account management, system administration, and repeatable security tasks
Team LeadershipActive DirectorySTIG HardeningNetwork OperationsWindows/LinuxVPN/SATCOMPowerShellTechnical Documentation

SkillBridge Intern — Web Systems Administration · Peraton

JAN 2023JUN 2023 · Fort Huachuca, AZ

Supported enterprise web systems, Microsoft SQL Server databases, vulnerability remediation, server migrations, and secure administration tasks across DoD-aligned environments.

  • Maintained 300+ Microsoft SQL Server databases and web systems while supporting STIG adherence and operational availability
  • Performed vulnerability remediation, patch coordination, and secure deployment support across enterprise systems
  • Automated administrative tasks with PowerShell and supported server and data migrations with zero data loss
ACASSQL ServerSTIGVulnerability ManagementPowerShellServer MigrationsSecure Administration

Skills

Compliance & Authorization

RMF LifecycleNIST SP 800-53ATOPOA&MSSP/SAReMASS

Security Operations

Vulnerability ManagementContinuous MonitoringIncident ResponseSTIG HardeningThreat HuntingLog Analysis

Tools & Platforms

SplunkNessus/ACASWazuhSuricataTenableSolarWinds

Infrastructure

Active DirectoryWindows ServerLinuxTCP/IPFirewall AdminDocker

Scripting & Automation

PowerShellPythonBashSecurity AutomationSQL

AI/ML (Learning)

TensorFlowMachine LearningLLMs/OllamaLog Analysis MLThreat Detection AI

Projects

Hands-on home lab projects focused on secure infrastructure, monitoring, automation, documentation, and private local AI workflows.

Home Infrastructure & Security LabFeatured

Designed and operate a segmented home lab using Proxmox, UniFi networking, NAS-backed storage, Docker, Wazuh SIEM, Suricata IDS/IPS, and isolated network zones. The lab supports security monitoring, vulnerability scanning, traffic analysis, backup testing, and defensive workflow development.

ProxmoxUniFiDockerWazuhNAS

LLM/RAG Assistant

Designed and deployed a self-hosted local AI assistant that uses a large language model and private document retrieval to support knowledge search, technical documentation review, and security workflows while keeping sensitive data out of public cloud AI services.

LLMsRAGSelf-HostedPrivate Retrieval

Cybersecurity Automation & Documentation

Develop PowerShell and Python-based automation for administrative tasks, security checks, documentation support, and repeatable workflows. Focus areas include account lifecycle support, compliance tracking, vulnerability review, and operational consistency.

PowerShellPythonAutomationCompliance

Contact

I'm actively seeking cybersecurity, ISSE, security engineering, systems integration, and cleared IT/security opportunities where I can apply my DoD security experience, technical background, and active Top Secret clearance. If you have a role that may be a fit or want to connect, I'd be glad to hear from you.