Systems Engineering / Cybersecurity

Scott Owens

Senior Systems Engineer & Cybersecurity Specialist
Brandon, MS 601.283.2027 scottowens77@gmail.com LinkedIn

Results-oriented IT Security Administrator and Systems Engineer with over 20 years of experience securing and optimizing complex enterprise infrastructures. Expert in bridging network operations and cybersecurity, with specialized proficiency in Azure cloud environments, next-generation firewalls, and vulnerability management. Proven track record of minimizing downtime, leading disaster recovery planning, and implementing robust security frameworks across government and corporate sectors.

20+Years in enterprise IT & security
100%HIPAA compliance maintained
100%MFA adoption achieved
99.9%Exchange uptime maintained
Capabilities

Technical Skills

Security Operations
Vulnerability Management Patch Management Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) Network Security
Identity & Cloud
Identity & Access Management (IAM) Mobile Device Management (MDM) Cloud Security (Azure)
Infrastructure
Server Infrastructure & Networking Virtualization Management Task Automation
Governance & Resilience
Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery (BCDR) Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC)
Career History

Professional Experience

IT Security Systems Administrator March 2024 — Present
Community Care Partners · Lafayette, LA (Remote) Active
  • Orchestrate endpoint security and threat detection using SentinelOne, Darktrace, and Conceal Security Service Edge (SSE) to identify and neutralize breaches.
  • Conduct vulnerability assessments via Tenable Nessus and RoboShadow; manage digital risk protection through ReliaQuest GreyMatter.
  • Administer identity and access management (IAM) via Microsoft Entra ID and Intune, ensuring secure device compliance across the remote workforce and executing phishing simulations via KnowBe4.
  • Streamline fleet management using ConnectWise Automate (RMM/PSA) and PowerShell scripting; secure network data transmission via Cisco Meraki.
  • Administer Microsoft 365 Security configurations, implementing threat protection policies against phishing, data exfiltration, and malicious activity.
  • Conduct periodic HIPAA Security Rule audits, assessing administrative and technical safeguards to maintain 100% compliance with ePHI protection standards.
Senior Network Administrator March 2020 — March 2024
Mississippi Lottery Corporation · Flowood, MS
  • Architected secure Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure and Exchange Online; deployed Palo Alto NGFWs and Cortex XDR for automated threat response.
  • Achieved 100% adoption of Cisco Duo MFA and hardened M365 environments to mitigate risk to critical state operations.
  • Directed IT vendor contracts, procurement, and service agreements while supervising the Help Desk team, ensuring cost-effective, seamless support operations.
  • Layered endpoint and cloud threat protection by managing Cylance and Check Point Harmony (M365 email, SharePoint, and OneDrive) alongside Cortex XDR.
  • Designed disaster recovery strategy using EMC Avamar/Data Domain, maintained virtualized environments via VMware, and oversaw physical facility resilience, including backup generator testing.
  • Managed Microsoft Intune for MDM and Conditional Access policies while configuring enterprise Cisco switching and VLAN segmentation to support secure, high-performing operations.
Systems Manager August 2017 — February 2020
Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration · Jackson, MS
  • Led the Helpdesk Support Team for a workforce of 500+ employees, overseeing daily operations, technician scheduling, and ticket escalation.
  • Managed hardware lifecycle via Microsoft SCCM and maintained 99.9% uptime for Microsoft Exchange communications.
  • Administered VMware virtual infrastructure and implemented Veeam Backup & Replication, ensuring 100% data recoverability for critical state systems.
  • Managed secure print operations for state financial disbursements, overseeing dual high-volume Xerox production printers and pressure sealers.
Lead Systems Administrator 2013 — July 2017
Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration · Jackson, MS
  • Promoted to lead the systems administration function for a multi-domain Windows Server environment, managing Active Directory, Group Policy Objects (GPO), and SCCM for endpoint lifecycle.
  • Architected a multi-layer backup strategy using EMC NetWorker, Data Domain, ExaGrid, and Veeam, ensuring redundant data protection for physical and virtual workloads.
  • Served as Agency Webmaster, designing and maintaining the public-facing website using Dreamweaver, HTML, and CSS to ensure consistent branding and intuitive navigation.
  • Managed high-availability VMware clusters and hardened the network perimeter using Cisco ASA and FortiNet firewalls.
Senior Systems Administrator January 2012 — 2013
Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration · Jackson, MS
  • Administered core Windows Server infrastructure, including Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and File Services, supporting agency-wide operations.
  • Managed Cisco IronPort and FortiNet FortiMail appliances for web and email content security filtering.
  • Supported the VMware virtual server environment and EMC NetWorker backup operations for physical and virtual workloads.
Before 2012

Earlier Career

Help Desk Analyst (Part-Time) — Hudson's Bay Company, Jackson, MS (2015–2016)
Monitored network circuits and switches for outages, resolved IT Help Desk trouble tickets, and supported associates with system issues, including facilitating conference bridges for IT-related incidents.
Systems Administrator — Mississippi Department of Education, Jackson, MS (2009–2011)
Administered Active Directory, Novell e-Directory, Citrix XenApp, and enterprise email/backup systems supporting agency-wide operations.
Help Desk Analyst (Tier 2) — Comcast Cable Communications, Madison, MS (2008–2009)
Resolved escalated connectivity and infrastructure issues while consistently meeting SLA targets.
Help Desk Analyst — Integrity Online (2006–2008)
Supported dial-up and DSL provisioning, email configuration, and technical troubleshooting for clients across multiple carriers and ISPs.
Background

Education

Bachelor of Applied Science, Cybersecurity
University of Southern Mississippi
GPA 4.0 · December 2025
Associate of Arts, General Studies
Hinds Community College
May 2018
Recognition

Honors & Certifications

Summa Cum Laude — University of Southern Mississippi (December 2025)
President's List — University of Southern Mississippi (August 2025)
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (May 2025)
Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) — 2022