SETH T. ROSS, CISSP

40 Madera Blvd.
Corte Madera, CA 94925
Home Phone: 415-945-7886
Mobile Phone: 415-378-5922
Email: sross@albion.com
Web: www.sethross.com
Software executive with computer security expertise, certified and published in the field, delivers superior business and technical results.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Security expert with specialist knowledge in security engineering and encryption systems; Certified Information Systems Security Professional.
  • Business visionary with strong entrepreneurial skills, launched one of the first businesses on the Internet with ten-fold return and successful exit; strategist for pioneering computer security firm with six-fold revenue growth, leading to successful venture capital transaction in 2005.
  • Exceptional communicator with successful track record of evangelizing security solutions; author of Unix systems security book and a thought-leading security newsletter.

EXPERIENCE

Chief Security Officer -- GuardianEdge Technologies, San Francisco, Calif. (2005 to present)

  • Responsible for attaining business-critical certifications including Common Criteria EAL4 and FIPS 140-2, rigorous multi-year certifications required by the company's key customers.
  • Security strategist for the management team driving process improvements across the organization.
  • Manage the development and implementation of information security policy; safeguard the organization and ensure an appropriate security posture.
  • Oversee the management of systems exposed to intrusion from outsiders on the Internet.
  • Respond to the security concerns of customers and reports of potential product vulnerabilities.
  • Ensure compliance with the domestic export control restrictions on encryption software.
  • Advocate for and evangelize the company's security offerings and educate customers, prospects and partners on security issues.

Chief Strategy Officer, Vice President of Internet Services -- PC Guardian, San Rafael, Calif. (1999-2004)

  • Responsible for Internet marketing and sales and for assisting President in strategy formulation.
  • Spearheaded a formal strategic planning process that established the strategic imperative to separate and differentiate the company's software and anti-theft business units (March 2002).
  • Led team that built an online store optimized for selling encryption software; launched aggressive free download and Google campaigns; grew revenue by 400%.
  • Served as Acting Product Manager for flagship product, Encryption Plus Hard Disk: led a product management matrix team, completed formal specification for new graphical user interface, and coordinated the launch of major new version 7.0 in July 2002.
  • Planned and managed successful two multi-year certification processes: Common Criteria EAL1 for EP Hard Disk 7.0 and FIPS 140-2 for EP Crypto Library 1.0.
  • Planned, launched, and produced a computer security newsletter with 25,000 subscribers (the Securius Newsletter); produced technical white papers.

Computer security book author/researcher -- UNIX System Security Tools, McGraw-Hill (1998-1999)

  • Independent research and development in UNIX and Linux security for the book, UNIX System Security Tools; assisted editor in planning UNIX Tools series.
  • Performed analysis of UNIX system security; provided overview of security strategy and techniques.
  • Built test network of UNIX computers; identified, investigated, tested, and documented a wide variety of system security tools including encryption tools, integrity checkers, vulnerability scanners, and network utilities.

Publisher/CEO -- Albion.com, San Francisco, Calif. (1993-1997)

  • Founder of a computer book and Internet publishing firm, one of the first Internet-based businesses.
  • Grew revenue from zero to six figures, with less than $5,000 in seed money, culminating in successful exit in 1997.
  • Published series of ground-breaking books including Netiquette by Virginia Shea and The Newbie's Guide to the Microsoft Network.
  • Built one of the first commercial web sites and one of the first online stores to deploy strong cryptography.
  • Early implementer of electronic books, digital cash, SSL, Java applets, banner and keyword advertising, online book events.
  • Successfully negotiated and managed a multi-year contract with Microsoft Corporation to provide assistance in launching the Microsoft Network.

Communications Consultant -- Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, Calif. (1991-1993)

  • Launched and managed a high-priority technology transfer publication in support of the CEO's promotional efforts.
  • Initiated large-scale transition from print to electronic publishing; identified requirements; led vendor selection process; established initial electronic publishing standards document.

Contributing Editor -- IDG/Nextworld Magazine, San Francisco, Calif. (1990-1994)

  • Nextworld was the trade magazine for the NeXT Computer market; served as contributing editor for connectivity, from magazine launch to retirement.
  • Authored dozens of articles on UNIX system administration and the Internet, including one of the first articles to promote the Internet as a platform for business ("Plugging Into the Planet", January 1991). This material formed the basis for a book, Taking the Next Step: The Buyers' Guide to Nextstep Computing (1993).

EDUCATION

BA with Honors in Creative Writing, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

BOOKS

UNIX System Security Tools, McGraw-Hill, 1999

Taking the Next Step: The Buyer's Guide to NeXTSTEP Computing, Albion Books, 1993

ARTICLES

RSA 2004: Magic Carpet Ride, Securius Newsletter, Vol. 5, #01, March 12, 2004

Common Criteria Part 2 — Caveat Emptor, Securius Newsletter, Vol. 4, #04, June 11, 2003

Security Through Usability, Securius Newsletter, Vol. 4, #01, February 24, 2003

NeXT Introduces New NeXT Computers: A Report from Davies Symphony Hall
San Francisco, California, September 18, 1990