Joe McBride Transformative Cybersecurity Leader

• Department of Defense – Senior Cyber Operations Leader
  2010 – Present | Fort George G. Meade, MD
  
  Joe McBride leads advanced cyber operations within the Department of Defense, countering nation-state and advanced persistent threats to safeguard national security across global theaters. By leveraging reconnaissance, automation, and strategic compliance, he delivers mission-critical outcomes that enhance defense capabilities. Recognized for initiating a groundbreaking cybersecurity initiative, Joe collaborated with over 75 cross-functional experts to develop a framework now integral to DoD operations. His visionary approach drove automation innovations, achieving a 3,000% increase in operational efficiency within 12 months. He advises senior defense and government leaders, shaping national cybersecurity policies and risk management strategies, while leading teams of 115+ analysts, operators, and developers. Joe’s mentorship fosters high-performing teams, often doubling or tripling outcomes through an entrepreneurial, results-driven approach to cutting-edge tradecraft.
  
  
• United States Marine Corps – Cyber Intelligence Leader
  2009 – 2014 | Augusta, GA
  
  As a Marine Cyber Intelligence Leader, Joe commanded and trained teams of over 20 personnel in intelligence and cyber missions, earning recognition as a top performer in military cyber operations and small unit leadership. His expertise in offensive cyber tactics, threat analysis, and risk assessment supported critical DoD objectives through partnerships with defense agencies. With advanced training in strategic communications, he executed high-impact operations with precision, earning an honorable discharge and the Joint Service Achievement Medal for exemplary leadership and operational excellence.
  
  

Early Leadership & Technical Foundations

• Office Manager & IT Support | Small Nonprofit
  2006 – 2009 | Boston, MA
  Managed operations and provided IT support for a small nonprofit, resolving hardware/software issues, maintaining networks, and driving process improvements—laying the groundwork for his cybersecurity career and leadership journey.
  
  
• Restaurant Manager
  2002 – 2006 | Middleborough, MA
  Led operations for a high-volume restaurant, managing teams of 30+, overseeing budgets and inventories, and optimizing efficiency in fast-paced environments - developing leadership skills directly applicable to strategic cybersecurity roles.

• Advanced Cyber Defense: Expert in network exploitation, penetration testing, threat simulation, and intelligence integration to counter advanced persistent threats, delivering critical outcomes in high-stakes environments.
  
  
• Network & System Security: Mastery of enterprise IT infrastructure, small office/home office networks, telecommunications systems, cloud security, and protocol-layer vulnerabilities, ensuring robust defense against sophisticated cyber attacks.
  
  
• Automation & Tooling: Proficient in Python, C#, Bash, PowerShell, and custom scripting for strategic cybersecurity operations, driving efficiency gains (e.g., 3,000%+ productivity increases) through innovative workflows.
  
  
• Strategic Risk Mitigation: Skilled in threat modeling, compliance frameworks, and governance, aligning cybersecurity with business objectives to neutralize critical risks and influence defense strategies.
  
  
• Leadership & Team Building: Directed cross-functional teams of 100+ professionals, mentoring talent, doubling or tripling performance, and cultivating an entrepreneurial, results-driven culture in resource-limited settings.
  
  
• Policy & Executive Influence: Advised senior Department of Defense leaders and policymakers, shaping national cybersecurity policies and risk management frameworks with strategic insights.
  
  
• Operational Excellence: Excels in high-pressure environments, optimizing complex operations, managing budgets, and delivering under tight constraints—honing skills from military cyber missions to strategic DoD campaigns.

• Department of Defense Leadership Programs (2011 – 2022): Advanced training in leadership, strategy, and executive decision-making, preparing Joe to lead critical cybersecurity operations and advise senior defense leaders.
  
  
• Department of Defense Cyber Operations Certifications (2011 – 2019): Specialized training in advanced cyber defense, network security, and threat analysis, enhancing Joe’s technical expertise in countering sophisticated threats.
  
  
• U.S. Marine Corps Strategic Communications Training (2009 – 2011): Intensive training in strategic communications and intelligence analysis, sharpening Joe’s operational precision for high-impact defense missions.
  
  
• Active Top Secret/SCI Clearance with Polygraph: Demonstrates Joe’s eligibility for sensitive, high-stakes roles, underscoring his trust and credibility in cybersecurity leadership.

Joe’s path to transformative cybersecurity leadership began in southeastern Massachusetts, where a passion for creativity collided with a restless curiosity for technology. Receiving his first computer (a hand-me-down Power Macintosh 9500!) at age 8, he dove in, opening the case, studying its parts, replacing and endlessly upgrading them; the rest, as they say, is history.

Facing a career crossroads during the 2008 real estate-led economic crisis, Joe found his calling in the U.S. Marine Corps, thriving in its rigor and honing his strategic mindset and leadership, eventually leading to a distinguished career in Department of Defense offensive cyber operations.

Married with four kids and a slobbery Labrador named Jetta, Joe spends weekends crafting custom furniture in his woodworking shop, cooking experimental gourmet meals for his (obviously lucky) family, building full code bases for websites (including this one!), and tinkering endlessly with computers - most recently exploring AI-centric projects to push the limits of this disruptive technology. His journey reflects a quiet resilience, shaped by life’s challenges and always paired with a wry smile.