Mark’s career began in information systems auditing and systems administration, where he saw how often security teams were asked to build roadmaps, write standards, and influence enterprise decisions without enough practical preparation. He previously served as Enterprise Information Security Architect at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and has worked across government, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, management consulting, and other regulated environments. He draws on that experience while teaching LDR514, helping students connect strategic planning, policy development, stakeholder management, executive communication, business case analysis, and Cyber42 leadership simulations to work they may already be expected to perform on the job.
Mark holds three GIAC certifications, along with SABSA Chartered Architect Foundation, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Certified Information Systems Auditor, Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control, and Certified Information Privacy Professional/Information Technology credentials. Mark Williams is also a faculty member of the SANS Technology Institute, which is an institution that is designated as an NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense and is a multi-year winner of the National Cyber League competition. In addition, Mark contributed to the SANS 2023 Survey: Visibility and Attack Surface whitepaper and has worked with the Privacy by Design Incubator project.
Mark teaches with a Socratic style, using discussion, case studies, and student experience to help leaders reason through problems that do not always have a clean right-or-wrong answer. Students leave Mark’s classroom with the skills to build security strategy, write better policy, brief executives, align security work with business goals, and lead teams with more confidence. His SANS student reviews describe him as interactive, inclusive, and strong at keeping discussion moving. Away from work, Mark enjoys music, plays guitar, and has a long-running love of motorcycles.
Qualifications Summary
- Bachelor of Administration in Computer Science and Public Administration, University of Regina
- GIAC Certifications: GIAC Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership (GSTRT); GIAC Security Leadership (GSLC); GIAC Systems and Network Auditor (GSNA)
- Professional Credentials: SABSA Chartered Architect Foundation (SABSA SCF); Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP); Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA); Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC); Certified Information Privacy Professional/Information Technology (CIPP/IT)
- Key Achievements: Served as Enterprise Information Security Architect and Principal Systems Security Officer at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee; Served as Information Security Officer for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community; held technology risk, IT audit, and data security leadership roles across consulting, healthcare, government, and enterprise environments
- Courses: Instructor for LDR514: Security Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership
- Community Contributions: Founding chairman of the Bermuda Chapter of ISACA; founder and past president of the Chattanooga ISSA Chapter; past president of the ISSA Phoenix Chapter; ISSA Volunteer of the Year; ISSA Fellow; mentor to security professionals
