With over two decades of experience at the intersection of cybersecurity and IT infrastructure, I excel in transforming complex technical challenges into business assets. My journey has been defined by designing resilient network systems and innovating cloud strategies that drive secure growth. Passionate about continuous learning and industry collaboration, I thrive on creating agile, scalable solutions that empower organizations to thrive in a digital world. I look forward to connecting with professionals eager to pioneer future innovations.

I am an innovative Infrastructure Systems Architect who has consistently strengthened security and optimized scalable, distributed network infrastructures for both IT and OT environments. I specialize in designing and implementing cybersecurity strategies that adhere to leading standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, NIST, and PCI. My work spans next-generation firewalls, advanced SIEM integrations, and proactive incident response systems, ensuring holistic visibility and rapid containment of threats.

I leverage a broad technical toolset—from XDR, EDR, and NDR solutions to comprehensive network analytics—to drive digital transformation. I have successfully migrated on-premises environments to agile hybrid cloud architectures built on MS365, Azure, and Google Cloud. My experience includes crafting robust business continuity and disaster recovery plans that achieved critical KPIs, like detecting security breaches in under 2 hours and restoring production environments within 36 hours with zero data loss. Passionate about Industry 4.0, I bridge the gap between OT and IT by integrating advanced edge computing, IoT solutions, and SCADA systems to empower organizations in today’s dynamic market.

I welcome opportunities to collaborate with forward-thinking teams eager to enhance operational resilience, secure their digital assets, and pioneer technological innovation. Feel free to connect if you’re looking for a proven leader to help transform your cybersecurity and network infrastructure strategy

• Architect Microsoft Cloud Solutions: Designed and deployed MS365, Azure global compliance, Azure Private Edge, and Azure AD for secure identity and access management, resulting in a strengthened enterprise security posture.

• Migrate Legacy Systems: Transitioned on-premise environments to agile hybrid cloud solutions (Azure and Google Cloud), reducing downtime and increasing scalability.

• Enhance Network Security: Implemented Palo Alto Next-Generation Firewalls (CN-Series and VM-Series) across global enterprise systems, improving threat detection and reducing vulnerabilities.

• Drive IoT Integration: Developed digital signature capture and electronic payment processes integrated with ERP systems, streamlining operational workflows.

• Automate Incident Response: Created custom automation scripts for breach detection and remediation, significantly reducing time-to-detect and resolve security incidents.

• Strategic Infrastructure Alignment: Collaborated with senior leadership to align technology infrastructure with long-term growth objectives across six branch locations, enhancing overall operational performance.

• Cloud Transition Leadership: Directed the migration from on-premise systems to a hybrid model through the deployment of collocated Azure datacenters, driving operational efficiency and cost savings.

• Robust Server Administration: Managed a comprehensive Microsoft server environment—including Active Directory, Exchange, DNS, and DHCP—while implementing advanced security measures with Palo Alto firewalls.

• Crisis Management & Recovery: Spearheaded a robust incident response during a ransomware breach, achieving detection within 2 hours and restoring systems with zero data loss and no financial impact.

• Team Development: Mentored cross-functional teams to implement secure network architectures, enhancing service delivery and ensuring seamless connectivity via advanced network components.

• Infrastructure Design & Deployment: Engineered and maintained robust network infrastructures by deploying servers, storage solutions, and virtualization (VMware) for LAN/SAN/Blade systems.

• Borderless Connectivity Implementation: Designed and executed secure, borderless networks across distributed locations, ensuring seamless connectivity and efficient data flow.

• Enhanced Security Architectures: Strategically deployed Palo Alto Next-Generation Firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, and VPNs to fortify network security and protect critical assets.

• Problem Resolution & Optimization: Conducted comprehensive root cause analyses to resolve technical issues swiftly, implementing preventative measures that reduced system downtime and improved overall stability.

• Strategic IT Leadership: Directed multi-campus IT operations by conceptualizing and executing long-term technology strategies (1, 3, 5, and 10-year plans) that aligned with organizational goals.

• Budget & Resource Management: Oversaw annual IT budgets and resource allocation, ensuring that technological initiatives were both financially viable and aligned with strategic objectives.

• Process Innovation & Incident Management: Developed and implemented proactive processes, tools, and comprehensive playbooks to optimize incident monitoring and rapid resolution.

• Team Guidance & Performance Optimization: Led and mentored IT teams, setting high performance standards and regularly reporting key performance metrics and ROI to executive leadership.

• Campus-wide Network Overhaul: Spearheaded a comprehensive upgrade of LAN infrastructure, including the deployment of routers, layer-3 switches, and wireless access points, significantly enhancing network performance.

• WAN Expansion & Security: Expanded the WAN infrastructure through Cisco ASA firewalls and IPSEC VPN tunnels, ensuring secure connectivity across multiple campuses and satellite locations.

• Virtualization & Systems Administration: Led virtualization initiatives by transitioning from Microsoft Hyper-V to VMware and managing data storage solutions, improving system reliability and scalability.

• Robust IT Support Structure: Administered Microsoft Exchange Server, Active Directory, and DNS services while establishing effective monitoring and incident management protocols to maximize uptime and user satisfaction.

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Timothy O Runion founded OTA with the mission to provide reliable, affordable, secure and scalable enterprise level technology products and service offerings to the rural and underserved market area in and around Oconee County, SC. OTA Consulting specializes in being the Information Technology Managed Service Provider, that works with all types of organizations independent of size, structure or market sector, providing scalable, secure, On-Demand Technology Access at any time from any location on any device. OTA understands the information technology market sector as a whole! Realizing it is the backbone needed for any organization to succeed in any sector of any market. Our mission is providing enterprise level technology solutions for SMB, non-profits and churches that can scale to any size and budget.