Mark Malinowski

Cybersecurity · Leadership · Service

Mark MalinowskiMS, CISM

Cybersecurity operations and governance leader. Retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief with twenty years of keeping critical networks secure, and the teams behind them ready.

Experience LinkedIn
Mark Malinowski in a navy suit, white shirt, and burgundy tie, against a light blue background

01 — About

Twenty years of service, still in the work.

Official portrait of Mark Malinowski in U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer service dress blues
U.S. Navy, Senior Chief Information Systems Technician, Ret.

I spent twenty years in the U.S. Navy as an Information Systems Technician, retiring in 2025 as a Senior Chief (ITCS, E-8). I started out keeping networks and communications running, and over time moved into leading the people who do that work, in Navy, joint, and deployed environments around the world.

Since retiring I’ve stayed in the same work in the private sector, leading cybersecurity operations and compliance. Most of what I do sits where policy meets the network: risk management and system authorization, vulnerability remediation, identity and access, and turning frameworks into plans teams can actually execute.

The part of the job I value most hasn’t changed since the Navy: helping the people I work with grow, whether that means a new certification, a degree, or a first leadership role.

02 — Experience

Career at a glance

  1. 2025 – Present

    Cybersecurity Leadership, Private Sector

    Leading cybersecurity operations and compliance: risk management and system authorization, large-scale vulnerability remediation, change and maintenance risk decisions, and regular posture briefings to leadership. Earlier, as a senior IT manager, helped a hybrid-cloud environment reach CMMC Level 2 certification and rolled out single sign-on that cut password-reset tickets by about 30%.

  2. 2017 – 2025

    Sr Chief, Information Systems Technician, U.S. Navy

    Directed IT operations and communications planning in joint environments and served as a senior technical advisor. Led small communications teams supporting senior leaders, introduced KPI-based performance tracking, and wrote a skills baseline and procedures for key technical roles.

  3. 2005 – 2017

    Information Systems Technician, U.S. Navy

    Rose through the enlisted ranks in fleet communications and network operations, ashore, afloat, and overseas. Led a fleet messaging center, ran day-to-day operations for several network enclaves, and kept systems aligned to DoD security standards.

A detailed résumé is available on request through the contact form.

03 — Expertise

Where I focus

I

Governance, Risk & Compliance

Risk Management Framework and system authorization, NIST SP 800-53 and 800-171, CMMC, DISA STIGs, and Zero Trust. Turning control requirements into prioritized work.

II

Security Operations

Vulnerability management and remediation, SIEM and endpoint security, incident response, and change and maintenance risk management.

III

Identity & Access

Microsoft Entra ID and Active Directory, conditional access, SAML single sign-on, and PKI certificate lifecycle, with a strong interest in passwordless authentication.

IV

Enterprise IT & Cloud

Hybrid Azure and Microsoft 365 environments, Windows Server, Group Policy, and secure network, voice, and data infrastructure.

V

Leadership & Mentoring

Building technical teams, setting clear standards, and helping the people on them grow.

VI

Executive Communication

Explaining cybersecurity posture and risk in plain terms, so leaders can make decisions.

04 — Credentials

Education, certification & affiliations

Education

  • Doctoral

    Doctoral studies (DBA, Cybersecurity Operations)

    Excelsior University, planned 2027

  • Master’s

    M.S. in Cybersecurity

    Excelsior University · Upsilon Pi Epsilon honor society

  • Bachelor’s

    B.P.S., Technology Management

    Excelsior University · Cum laude

Certifications

  • CISMCertified Information Security Manager, ISACA, 2026
  • Security+ ceCompTIA
  • ITIL 4 FoundationIT Service Management
  • Certified ScrumMasterAgile delivery
  • Lean Six Sigma Black BeltProcess improvement
  • Microsoft FundamentalsSecurity, Compliance & Identity; Azure

Service & recognition

  • U.S. Navy

    20 years, Aug 2005 – Aug 2025

    Information Systems Technician Senior Chief (ITCS, E-8) · Expeditionary, Information, Surface, and Seabee Combat Warfare qualified (EXW/IW/SW/SCW)

  • Awards

    Joint and Navy service awards

    Including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2) and Joint Service Commendation Medal (2)

Professional affiliations

  • Member

    ISACA Denver Chapter

  • Member

    AFCEA Rocky Mountain Chapter

  • Volunteer

    Mentor, Hire Heroes USA

    Helping transitioning service members and veterans move into civilian careers

  • Volunteer

    Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity

    Helping build affordable homes for families in the Colorado Springs area

05 — Writing

Notes & essays

Coming soon

Public-Sector Cybersecurity Governance: A Literature Review

What the research says about how government organizations govern cyber risk, and where the gaps are.

Coming soon

Going Passwordless: Lessons from an Authentication Capstone

What it takes to move beyond passwords, and what I learned trying it in practice.

06 — Contact

Get in touch

The best way to reach me is the form on this page. It’s also the place to request my full résumé. You can also find me on LinkedIn.