Contributors
Ben Murphy
Ben Murphy is the Senior Manager of Information Technology for Atlanta-based Gladiator Technology, a ProfitStars Solution, which provides enterprise network and information security solutions exclusively to financial institutions nationwide. In his strategic role, Murphy oversees the daily operation of the company’s Security Operations Centers (SOC) in Atlanta. Key responsibilities include financial and technical measurement and improvement of security operations as well as internal project management.
Murphy, who has 7 years of experience in the financial services industry and who achieved the highest score in North America on the 2004 Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) exam, is an authority on information security management. Prior to joining Gladiator Technology, he worked as an Information Security Officer at SunTrust Bank for three years where he directed information security measures for the Wealth management Services division. Prior to that, Murphy worked for Guardent (now Verisign), a security firm that serves various industries including government and financial interests.
Murphy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Wake Forest University and is an IBM Watson Memorial Scholar. His professional certifications include Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Information Systems Security management Professional (ISSMP) designations. Further, Murphy is a member of the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), and the Information Systems Security Association(ISSA).
Ryan Spanier
Ryan Spanier is an Information Security Engineer with Atlanta-based Gladiator Technology, a ProfitStars Solution. In his key role focusing on professional services and security research, Spanier’s duties include performing security assessments and malware research.
Spanier has over five years of experience in the information security industry overall and has been with Gladiator Technology for the past three years. During his time with Gladiator, he performed numerous vulnerability assessments and penetration tests for financial institutions throughout the country. Spanier has expertise in the areas of information security, networking, and malware.
Prior to joining Gladiator, Spanier worked for Safe Systems, Inc. as a network engineer and SouRCe Team associate and was responsible for network implementations, research and development projects, and teaching classes on information security topics. Prior to that, Spanier worked for the Georgia Tech Research Institute in the Signature Technology Lab’s information technology department.
Spanier holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. His professional certifications include Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM), Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE).
Benjamin Harbin
Benjamin Harbin is an Information Security Engineer with Atlanta-based Gladiator Technology, a ProfitStars Solution. In his key role focusing on support services, Harbin helps customers troubleshoot network issues and also acts as a consultant regarding the installation of new devices and applications. Furthermore, he oversees the Support staff to ensure cases are being handled properly and expeditiously to make sure that customer expectations are met.
Harbin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in information technology from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. His professional certifications include Certified SonicWALL Security Administrator (CSSA). He is a member of the Gladiator Security Round Table and, as such, will be a key contributor to the Security Users Group meetings and to the Security Research department website.
Scott Dale
Scott Dale is an Information Security Engineer with Atlanta-based Gladiator Technology, a ProfitStars Solution. In his key role focusing on technology product management, Dale’s responsibilities include implementing new technologies, maintaining a high margin for data collection, and identifying new functionality for Gladiator’s product base.
Dale has over four years of experience in the information security industry and has been with Gladiator for the past three years. His areas of expertise include networking and information security.
Dale holds a Bachelor of Science degree in information technology from Georgia Southern University. His professional certifications include Certified SonicWALL Security Administrator (CSSA) and CompTIA Security+. He is a member of the Gladiator Security Round Table and, as such, will be a key contributor to the Security Users Group meetings and to the Security Research department website. Furthermore, he is a pfSense Open Source firewall project contributor.
Josh Gibbs
Josh Gibbs is an information security engineer with Atlanta-based Gladiator Technology, a ProfitStars solution. In his key security role, Gibbs manages network security devices and monitors them for security-related incidents, reporting any suspicious activity to the appropriate financial institution. Furthermore, he provides consultation services to institutions regarding topics such as security incidents, implementing security policies, and changes to the network that could impact security.
Gibbs holds a bachelor of science degree in information technology from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA. He has written a series of labs that are being used to teach Linux server administration in a hands-on environment at Georgia Southern University. Also, Gibbs is a Georgia 4-H volunteer advisor and technology educator who has worked with approximately 80 high school students over the past 6 years to encourage them to pursue careers in IT. He has been recognized by the Georgia General Assembly for his volunteer work in the area of technology education and helping to develop a national curriculum for 4-H technology education.