Thomas Smith
Upper Marlboro
Summary
Proficient in Firewall implementation, Security architecture design, and Intrusion prevention systems. Proven ability to design robust security measures ensuring compliance and enhancing incident response. Results-driven Network Security Engineer with extensive experience in designing and implementing security architectures. Expertise in Cisco, Palo Alto, Checkpoint and Juniper technologies, contributing to enhanced security postures and compliance across enterprise networks. Dynamic Firewall Engineer with a strong focus on security architecture and compliance standards. Known for effective incident response planning and troubleshooting of Checkpoint installations, ready to drive impactful security solutions in a fast-paced environment.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Network Security | Firewall Engineer
Leidos Health (CMS Contractor)
Windsor Mill
01.2018 - 08.2025
- Design, upgrade, and implementation of Firewall Technologies
- Specifically focus supporting Cisco, Palo Alto and Juniper Firewall technology.
- Deployment of security architecture, security posture and technologies within network security, domain, Firewalls, proxies, LB, IPS/IDS, across the enterprise, data centers and the cloud
- Troubleshoot new and existing Checkpoint installations
- Design, implement, support and upgrade Firewalls, Site-to-Site VPN's & Client to Site VPN's
- Design, implement, support and Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
Cyber Security Engineer
Nielsen Media (TCS Consultant)
Columbia
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Company Overview: Cyber Security. Retail & CPG.
- Onsite Support of local Nielsen Audio and global network infrastructure
- Troubleshoot new and existing Checkpoint installations
- Design, implement, support and upgrade Firewalls, Site-to-Site VPN's & Client to Site VPN's
- Design, implement, support and Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
- Design, implement and support Check Point Software Blade Technologies
- Design, develop, support and implement Firewall policies
- Design and perform seamless upgrades of existing Management & Firewall infrastructure remotely and onsite
- Operate in a team environment as well as self-directed
- Collaborates with other team members as necessary to ensure customer service levels agreements (SLA's) are met
- Participating in 24x7 support rotation
- Reduce SEV1
- Communicating with customers
- Reduce costs
- Cyber Security. Retail & CPG.
Principal Security Engineer
Nielsen Audio
Columbia
01.2005 - 01.2014
- Company Overview: (purchased Arbitron Inc.)
- Lead and support metrics for all Checkpoint and Gauntlet Solutions
- Troubleshoot new and existing Checkpoint installations
- Design, implement, support and upgrade Security Managers, Firewalls, Site-to-Site VPN's & Client to Site VPN's
- Design, implement and support Check Point Software Blade Technologies
- Design, develop, support and implement Firewall policies
- Design and perform seamless upgrades of existing Management & Firewall infrastructure remotely and onsite
- Help maintain lab of Check Point software R55-R77
- Operate in a team environment as well as self-directed
- Collaborates with other team members as necessary to ensure customer service levels agreements (SLA's) are met
- Participating in 24x7 support rotation
- Some travel
- Web Content Filtering
- Juniper SG140 and SSL Access
- (purchased Arbitron Inc.)
Internet Communications Lead
Arbitron Inc
Columbia
01.2000 - 01.2005
- Created, configured and maintained Hallmark's external and internal SMTP Internet mail system
- Created, configured and maintained Hallmark's external and internal Web Servers and Application Servers
- Created, configured and maintained Hallmark's external and internal DNS Servers
- Provided technical support for Hallmark's Internet domain name servers, and served as technical contact with domain registrars
- Co-directed extensive investigation of potential uses of Java and other Internet technologies to meet Hallmark business technology needs
- Lead and support metrics for all Gauntlet Firewall Solutions
Data Communications Engineer
Arbitron Inc
Beltsville
01.1989 - 01.2000
- Carried out site surveys
- Travelling to meet suppliers, customers and colleagues based in other offices
- Negotiating product requirements with customers
- Providing technical guidance to colleagues and other teams
- Creative solutions for network design, mobile communications, data service requirements, and internet
- Testing theoretical designs
- Attending conferences and seminars to network and keep up to date with the latest developments in the sector
- Liaising with internal and external customers
- Working to tight timescales as part of a high-performing team
- Arranging process meetings
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Medical Microbiology
Georgetown University
Washington, DCSome College (No Degree) - Telecommunications
Capital College
Beltsville, MDSkills
- Firewall implementation
- Security architecture design
- Intrusion prevention systems
- VPN configuration
- Checkpoint troubleshooting
- Network security protocols
- Compliance standards
- Problem solving
- Incident response planning
- Disaster recovery planning
- Firewall configuration
- SIEM tools administration
- Protocol analysis
- Traffic filtering
- Security policy development
- Log analysis
- High availability solutions
- Intrusion detection systems
- Mobile device security
- Network segmentation
- Network security design
- Wireless network security
- Web application firewalls
- Vulnerability assessment
- Network access control
- Secure remote Access
- Endpoint security management
- Zero trust networking
- Intrusion detection
- Network security management
- Two-factor authentication
- Firewall installation
Timeline
Sr. Network Security | Firewall Engineer
Leidos Health (CMS Contractor)
01.2018 - 08.2025
Cyber Security Engineer
Nielsen Media (TCS Consultant)
01.2014 - 01.2018
Principal Security Engineer
Nielsen Audio
01.2005 - 01.2014
Internet Communications Lead
Arbitron Inc
01.2000 - 01.2005
Data Communications Engineer
Arbitron Inc
01.1989 - 01.2000
Some College (No Degree) - Medical Microbiology
Georgetown University
Some College (No Degree) - Telecommunications
Capital College
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