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who i am - and what i'm about

My Vision

 My vision is to inspire and empower others through the sharing of leadership insights and proven strategies that drive success in both individuals and organizations. I am committed to fostering a culture of mentorship, helping others on their path to personal and professional growth, navigating challenges and seizing opportunities. Continuous improvement is at the heart of everything, I believe that the pursuit of excellence is an ongoing journey that shapes stronger teams and more resilient organizations. 

Ultimately, if I can help one person along the way, then it’s all worth it. 

My Background

As a seasoned professional in the cybersecurity and IT space, I have built a career centered around safeguarding organizations, driving business growth through strategic security initiatives, and mentoring teams to foster development and success.


In my current role, I oversee the implementation of comprehensive security architectures and lead high-performing teams to drive operational excellence across a global enterprise. My expertise spans network security, risk management, Incidents Response and disaster recovery, with a focus on translating business objectives into actionable security strategies.

In addition to my civilian career, I am in my 15th year of service in the U.S. Army Reserve. As a Sergeant First Class, Senior Rail Advisor, and NCOIC, I lead teams in mission-critical operations, developing a strong foundation in leadership, logistics, and strategic planning. This military experience has honed my ability to operate effectively under pressure, manage complex projects, and guide teams through challenging situations—skills that I apply in my cybersecurity leadership roles.


My hands-on experience in risk mitigation and security operations is complemented by my passion for mentoring and developing teams, ensuring that both people and technology are prepared to face evolving threats. I believe that effective cybersecurity doesn’t have to hinder business operations; rather, it should enhance agility and enable organizations to scale securely and confidently. Over the years, I’ve led initiatives that have reduced risk exposure, streamlined security processes through automation, and improved employee security awareness, all while delivering measurable improvements to organizational resilience.

Business Balance

Currently I'm enjoying the pursuit of a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree as part of my commitment to gaining a comprehensive understanding of both security and business operations. I believe that true security to business alignment requires not only technical expertise but also the ability to incorporate security strategies with broader business objectives. with expanded knowledge of business principles, we can approach security from a more holistic perspective, ensuring that decisions support organizational growth and resilience while mitigating risk. The goal is to bridge the gap between security and business, ensuring both are integrated seamlessly for long-term success.

Certifications

CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional

Boardroom QTE - Qualified Technical Expert

C-CISO - Certified Chief Information Security Officer

Comptia Security+

Community Involvement

IT Food and Ag ISAC Member 

Evanta Milwaukee Governing Body Member 

CIOs/CXOs Against Cancer Minnesota Chapter Member 

Western Wisconsin Technical College Cyber Security Advisor Committee 

Active SAP ASUG Community Member 

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Copyright © 2024 Kurt Manke - All Rights Reserved.

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