Robert Wood

CISO | Servant Leader | Advisor | Lifelong Student (posts here are my own opinions and musings)

I have built, scaled, and run security programs as a CISO at 4 different organizations ranging from small tech startups to trillion dollar government organizations. The early part of my career was spent working in application security and red teaming. Cybersecurity is a passion of mine; using it to do amazing things is something that gets me fired up.

That’s why I founded Sidekick Security. To help organizations achieve security-led growth and digital transformations. In an age of trust as currency in so many industries, I believe this is the time when security truly can be an enabler. 

Beyond that, I am a lifelong learner. I love studying outside of my field and finding ways to expand the mental models I have to solve problems differently, more effectively, or to think about them in altogether new and fresh ways. 

Founder and CEO

Helping to connect SMBs and startups with exceptional security talent. A fresh, blue ocean strategy on the cyber security services market for organizations that really need it. 

Senior Security Program Manager | Leading Cybersecurity Initiatives | Driving Strategic Security Solutions| Cybersecurity Excellence | Cloud Security

Imagine a world where security threats are constantly evolving, and the stakes are higher than ever for tech industry leaders. As decision-makers, you need more than just a reactive approach—you need a visionary partner who can anticipate, mitigate, and transform potential threats into robust defenses.
That’s where I come in.

► WHAT I DO:
I empower decision-makers in the tech industry to fortify their organizations against the ever-changing landscape of cyber threats. My mission is to help you enhance your security posture without sacrificing operational efficiency or stifling innovation.

► HOW I DO IT:
With years of hands-on experience in security program management and leadership, I’ve developed a comprehensive approach that combines strategic oversight with critical governance activities. I lead cross-functional teams, inspire innovation, and collaborate closely with technical experts to build secure, resilient systems.


► WHY IT WORKS:
My methodology is proven and practical, rooted in a deep understanding of the cybersecurity field. I’ve spearheaded strategic security initiatives, joined the Cybersecurity Steering Council, and implemented scalable, sustainable operational plans. This unique blend of strategic vision and tactical expertise ensures that your organization remains a step ahead of potential threats.

Marcel Velica

🏈 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐆𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘 🏈
Security, productivity, and risk management aren’t just business topics.
They’re a 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭.

The strongest teams at work are built by people who
 👀 Spot risky behavior before it escalates
 🔐 Protect sensitive data from loss
 ⚙️ Keep teams productive without cutting corners
 🤝 Build trust while keeping security strong

Now let’s recognize them 👇

💬 𝗪𝗵𝗼’𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸?
 Tag the teammate who makes your day, and your company, safer.

🎟️ 𝗪𝗜𝗡 2️⃣ 𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧𝗦 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿!

👇 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥
 👥 Tag a teammate who is a game-changer at work
 ❤️ Repost this post to spread the celebration
 ➕ Follow Teramind
 📝 Submit the form in the link: https://lnkd.in/eBdmkWZ6 

Because the strongest defense always starts with 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲.

Good luck, and may your team win on and off the field 🏆🏈

Senior Security Program Manager | Leading Cybersecurity Initiatives | Driving Strategic Security Solutions | Cybersecurity Excellence | Cloud Security

Most security programs fail for one simple reason:
They only show up after something goes wrong.

The strongest organizations do the opposite.
They train before the incident happens  all year long.

Here’s a 12-month Cybersecurity Awareness Roadmap that turns security from a checkbox into a habit:

1️⃣ January – New Year, New Security Habits
 → Sets the tone for the year
 → Phishing awareness campaign, security advisory, quizzes, phishing webinar

2️⃣ February – Data Privacy Focus
 → Protects trust and compliance
 → Data privacy overview, advisory, breach reporting, privacy webinar

3️⃣ March – Business Continuity
 → Prepares teams for real disruptions
 → BCP tabletop exercises, emergency response training, BCP advisory

4️⃣ April – Physical Security
 → Reduces offline and people-driven risk
 → Emergency drills, document protection sessions, people-risk webinar

5️⃣ May – Secure Remote Work
 → Secures work beyond the office
 → Remote work best practices, MFA advisory, remote work webinar

6️⃣ June – Password Management Month
 → Eliminates easy attack paths
 → Strong password guidelines, secrets protection, awareness webinar

7️⃣ July – Social Engineering Awareness
 → Trains teams to spot manipulation
 → Role-playing scenarios, advisories, simulations, interactive sessions

8️⃣ August – Mobile Device Security
 → Protects data on everyday devices
 → Mobile security best practices, advisory, staff webinar

9️⃣ September – Insider Threats & Security Culture
 → Strengthens trust without fear
 → Insider threat awareness, culture-building sessions, training

🔟 October – Cybersecurity Awareness Month
 → Makes learning engaging
 → Huntress CTF, weekly themes, guest speakers, videos, gamification

1️⃣1️⃣ November – Phishing & Email Security
 → Defends against advanced attacks
 → Phishing sessions, reporting mechanisms, email security training

1️⃣2️⃣ December – Year-End Recap & Future Planning
 → Reinforces lessons and looks ahead
 → Year-end review, employee recognition, security advisory, holiday tips

You can buy the best tools on the market.
But untrained behavior will still bypass them.

The organizations that suffer fewer incidents don’t rely on luck.
They build awareness month by month.

Because cybersecurity isn’t an event.
It’s a mindset.

 Which month do you think organizations neglect the most  phishing, insider threats, or business continuity?

 Repost if this roadmap reflects how security should be done.

CISO vs CIO Security: The Difference That Could Save Your Company

Being “secure” isn’t about checking IT boxes.
It’s about strategic protection of your business.

The setups that feel safe
 aren’t always the ones that actually defend you.

Here’s how most companies approach security:

IT Security under CIO / Tech Ops:

 → Focus on patching, firewalls, VPNs, WAFs
 → Day-to-day operations & incident fixes
 → Policies driven by IT convenience
 → Security seen as a cost, not a business enabler

CISO Office / Information Security:

 → Builds enterprise-wide security strategy
 → Manages risk, compliance, and governance
 → Aligns security with business goals
 → Proactively protects data, people, and reputation

When security is led strategically by a CISO office:
Business risks are anticipated, not just reacted to.

 Teams understand their roles in security.
 Data and reputation are safeguarded.

Being “secure” under IT Ops might feel functional.

But true resilience comes when security drives strategy, not just operations.
If this resonates, repost to share with your network.

 Follow Marcel Velica for more insights on building strategic cybersecurity programs.

Hackers don’t all think the same.
 That’s why most security strategies fail.

 If you defend against one hacker type,
 you’re already exposed to the other eight.

 Cybersecurity isn’t about tools anymore.
 It’s about understanding who you’re up against.

Here are 9 Hacker Personalities every organization should understand 👇

🕶 The Ghost
 Moves silently. Leaves almost no trace. Detection is your only defense.

🔧 The Mechanic
 Breaks systems piece by piece. Exploits misconfigurations and weak setups.

♟ The Strategist
 Plays the long game. Reconnaissance first, breach later.

🎭 The Trickster
 Masters deception. Phishing, social engineering, fake trust.

🏗 The Architect
 Understands systems better than the builders. Attacks structure, not surface.

👤 The Phantom Coder
 Code appears… then vanishes. Hard to attribute, harder to stop.

👁 The Watcher
 Observes quietly. Learns patterns before striking.

🌐 The Linguist
 Exploits communication gaps. APIs, protocols, human language.

🤫 The Silent Operator
 No noise. No rush. Maximum damage, minimum footprint.

 Most breaches don’t happen because companies lack tools.
 They happen because companies misjudge the attacker mindset.

 Security isn’t just defense.
 It’s psychology, strategy, and anticipation.

 Which hacker personality worries you the most  and why?

👉 Follow Marcel Velica for more cybersecurity insights
 🔁 Share & repost to help your team stay ahead

Most people think password managers store your passwords.

That’s the biggest security myth of 2026.
Your password manager never actually knows your passwords.

Everything is encrypted so deeply that even the company can’t read your vault.

Here’s what really happens behind the scenes:

• You enter your email + master password
 • A Secret Key is generated locally on your device
 • These are combined in a 2-Step Key Derivation (2SKD) process
 • This creates your Master Unlock Key (MUK) 

 🔐 and it never leaves your device
Then…

• RSA + AES keys are unlocked inside encrypted keysets
 • Each vault (private, shared, team) has its own Vault Key
 • Vault keys decrypt passwords only on your device

So even if the server is hacked…
The attacker still sees encrypted noise.

Your security is not protected by trust.
 It’s protected by math.

Would you trust a tool that can actually see your passwords?

If this opened your eyes, share this with your team and repost it so more people stop risking their digital life.

Follow Marcel Velica for more real-world cybersecurity breakdowns that actually protect your business.

Most users open Linux and stick to cd, ls, and sudo.

Linux pros? They understand 20+ directories that dictate system behavior before anything else.

That gap?

It’s the difference between blindly running commands and troubleshooting like a system ninja.

When a server crashes,
it doesn’t start with GUIs or dashboards.
It starts at /.
With directories that hold everything from boot files to user data.

Why this Linux file system cheat matters

This isn’t theory it’s day-to-day reality:

• / 
→ Root of all directories. Everything stems from here.

• /bin 
→ Essential command binaries, the tools every user and admin relies on.

• /boot 
Bootloader files. No bootloader, no system start.

• /dev
 → Device files: disks, USBs, and peripherals live here.

• /etc
 → Configuration files controlling system behavior.

• /home 
→ User directories, personal files, and settings.

• /lib 
→ Shared libraries that programs depend on.

• /media 
→ Mount points for removable media.

• /mnt 
→ Temporary mounts for filesystems.

• /opt 
→ Optional add-on applications installed manually.

• /proc 
→ Live kernel and process info, updated in real-time.

• /root 
→ Home for the root user.

• /usr 
→ Read-only user applications and binaries.

• /var 
→ Logs, caches, and variable runtime data.

 No clicks.
 No GUIs.
 No guessing.

Just direct access to the system’s heartbeat.
Knowing these directories doesn’t just make you technical. 

It makes you calm, confident, and effective when servers fail at 2 AM.

📌 See the full Linux File System List in the image.

 Follow Marcel Velica for more Linux tips and cheatsheets
 🔄 Share this with others who want to master Linux

Build a Cybersecurity Career That Demands Respect Follow This Roadmap

Ever wonder why some cybersecurity professionals skyrocket in their careers while others plateau?

 It’s not just technical skills it’s mastering the layers that actually matter.

Here’s the roadmap to go from beginner to in-demand cybersecurity expert:

1️⃣ Security Architecture
 ↳ Cryptography, Secure Systems, Network & Cloud Security
 ↳ Identity & Access Management, Privileged Access, Security Engineering

2️⃣ Frameworks & Standards
 ↳ NIST, ISO/IEC, COBIT, SANS/CSC
 ↳ Understanding them builds credible, compliant systems

3️⃣ Risk Assessment
 ↳ Penetration Testing, Vulnerability Scans, Blackbox & Whitebox testing
 ↳ 3rd/4th Party Risk, Blue & Red Team exercises, Social Engineering

4️⃣ Governance
 ↳ Policies, Procedures, Standards & Guidelines
 ↳ Laws & Regulations, KPIs/KRIs, Executive Involvement

5️⃣ Security Operations
 ↳ Threat Detection, Prevention & Recovery
 ↳ SIEM, SOC, Incident Response, Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity

6️⃣ Physical Security
 ↳ Physical safeguards & protection controls never underestimate the human factor

7️⃣ User Education
 ↳ Awareness programs & training new skills
 ↳ Humans are your last line of defense

8️⃣ Career Development
 ↳ Certifications, Conferences, Peer Groups, Self-study
 ↳ Continuous learning separates good pros from great ones

9️⃣ Threat Intelligence
 ↳ Internal & external intel, contextual analysis
 ↳ IOC tracking, intel sharing, proactive defense

Mastering these layers doesn’t just protect networks it protects your career, reputation, and impact in cybersecurity.

If this resonates, repost for your network.
Follow Marcel Velica for more cybersecurity insights.
Credit: @Alex Xu

🔥 Most Companies Think They’re Secure… Until They’re Hacked.

 6 Security Control Mistakes That Put Your Organization at Risk:

⚠️ Think Your Company Is Safe? Think Again.
 Hackers don’t wait for permission they exploit the smallest gaps.

 One weak link can cost millions and destroy trust.

1 / Ignoring Preventive Controls
 → Believing firewalls and passwords are enough
 → Hackers exploit weak points daily
 → Use MFA, encryption, network segmentation stop threats before they strike

2 / Overlooking Detective Controls
 → Only noticing attacks after damage is done
 → Without real-time monitoring, breaches go unnoticed
 → Implement SIEM, IDS/IPS, EDR spot intrusions as they happen

3 / Skipping Corrective Controls
 → Thinking recovery happens automatically
 → Without a plan, downtime and data loss multiply
 → Have backups, incident response, and system restoration ready for fast recovery

4 / Neglecting Compensating Controls
 → Assuming gaps aren’t risky
 → Sometimes ideal controls aren’t possible
 → Use virtual patching, dual approvals, and enhanced monitoring to cover blind spots

5 / Forgetting Physical Controls
 → Security isn’t just digital
 → Unlocked server rooms or absent CCTV are easy targets
 → CCTV, biometric access, locked server rooms protect tangible assets

6 / Underestimating Administrative Controls
 → People and processes aren’t weak links they are the strongest or weakest line
 → Policies, risk assessments, and vendor checks keep your team aligned and compliant

Security isn’t a single tool it’s a system of systems. Every layer matters.
Your weakest link determines your breach.

If this resonates, repost and share with your network.

📌 Follow me for more cybersecurity insights.

Cookies, Sessions, and Tokens: How Web Apps Actually Remember You

Think logging in is just typing username + password? 🤔
That’s why apps feel slow, glitchy, or insecure.

Web apps don’t just “remember” you.
They make thousands of checks per request to verify identity and keep data safe.

Here’s the real flow 👇

① Cookies: Tiny Data, Big Role

    ⤷ Stored in browser.
    ⤷ Server reads it to remember you.

Flow:
Login → Cookie stored → Browser sends cookie → Server validates → Access granted

Example: “Remember me” or website preferences.

② Sessions: Server Holds the Info

     ⤷ Data lives on server.
     ⤷ Browser holds only session ID.

Flow:
Login → Session created → Cookie with ID → Browser sends ID → Server fetches session → Access granted

Example: Shopping cart stays across pages.

③ Tokens (JWT): Stateless & Smart

     ⤷ Contains user identity inside a signed string.
     ⤷ Verified without server storage.

Flow:
Login → JWT created → Stored on client → Sent as Authorization → Server validates → Access granted

Example: APIs, mobile apps, microservices.

Why it matters 

 Cookie misuse → Privacy risk
 Session mismanaged → Scalability risk
 Token unchecked → Security risk
 Security + usability = understanding the flow.

Which one do you use most Cookies, Sessions, or Tokens? 👇

Follow Marcel Velica for more insights & share this post! 🔥

🔓 Your Password Might Be the Weakest Link in Your Security Chain

Every day, hackers are working smarter than ever. 

But the scariest part? 

They don’t always need to break in sometimes, we hand it to them.

Here are 9 common password attacks and how you can stop them before it’s too late:

1️⃣ Brute-Force – Endless password guesses.
✅ Use long passphrases + lock accounts after failures.

2️⃣ Credential Stuffing – Stolen passwords tried everywhere.
✅ Unique passwords + 2FA.

3️⃣ Keylogging – Malware captures what you type.
✅ Antivirus + avoid untrusted devices.

4️⃣ Social Engineering – Tricks to get your info.
✅ Verify requests + question unusual messages.

5️⃣ Dictionary Attack – Common words guessed.
✅ Avoid predictable passwords. Be random.

6️⃣ Session Hijacking – Steal active logins.
✅ Use HTTPS + strong session management.

7️⃣ Man-in-the-Middle – Intercept traffic.
✅ VPN on public Wi-Fi + HTTPS sites only.

8️⃣ Phishing – Fake messages steal credentials.
✅ Train regularly + use phishing detection tools.

9️⃣ Default Passwords – Factory passwords left unchanged.
✅ Change defaults immediately.

Hackers thrive on weak habits.
Your password choices = your strongest defense.

Start today: Audit passwords, enable 2FA, think like an attacker.

Which attack surprised you most? 

➡️ Follow Marcel Velica for more tips & share to help others stay safe.

Everyone wants a cybersecurity job.
Very few know the roadmap.

That’s why most people stay stuck at “learning phase” for years.

Here’s the Network Security Engineer roadmap that actually works 👇

Certifications don’t make you secure.
 Skill + repetition + real tools do.

🔹 Step 1: Build the foundation (Non-negotiable)

Start here or you’ll struggle later:
• Security+
• CCNA

These teach how networks break  and how they’re protected

🔹 Step 2: Get dangerous (Intermediate level)

Now you stop memorizing and start thinking like an attacker & defender:

• CEH
• CySA+
• NSE 1–4
• Palo Alto (PCNSE)
• OSCP
• GIAC

This is where careers separate from certificates

🔹 Step 3: Specialize or lead (Advanced level)

You don’t need all of these.
You need one clear direction:

• CISSP → leadership & architecture
• CCNP / CCNP Security → deep network defense
• OSCP → offensive security mastery

🛠️ Tools that actually make you hire-ready
If you’re not using these, you’re not ready yet:

• Wireshark
• GNS3 / EVE-NG / Packet Tracer
• Kali Linux
• Snort / Suricata
• pfSense / OPNsense
• OpenVAS / Nessus
• Splunk / ELK Stack

 Most people fail in cybersecurity not because it’s hard —
 but because they learn randomly instead of deliberately.

Follow the roadmap.
Practice daily.
Document your learning publicly.
That’s how unknown beginners become in-demand security engineers.

 Which path are you on right now?

1️⃣ Beginner
2️⃣ Intermediate
3️⃣ Advanced

 Save this post.
 Share it with someone trying to break into cybersecurity.

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Marcel Velica

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The Battle

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Marcel Velica

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Engagements

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Marcel Velica's LinkedIn Performance

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