Cybersecurity Center of Education & Innovation

With over 15 years of experience in cybersecurity, information assurance, Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), FedRAMP, and Risk Management Framework (RMF), she holds a Master’s in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance and certifications including CISSP, CISM, CEH, and Security+.

Shannon served in the Navy for 28 years as an Electronic Technician, Cryptology Officer, and Cybersecurity Team Lead. He has worked cyber operations with NSA Red Team and USCYBERCOMMAND for eight years. He has now been a CISSP instructor with CIAT for almost a year.

Passionate Cybersecurity Instructor at CIAT with over 18 years in Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) within the US Department of Defense. Expertise in system administration, virtualization, and training. Holds multiple certifications including CISSP, CCSP, and eight CompTIA certifications.

Donald Sardano is a seasoned cybersecurity executive with over 20 years of leadership experience spanning healthcare, finance, telecommunications, and government sectors. He has successfully served as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Deputy CISO, and Virtual CISO (vCISO), leading enterprise-wide security initiatives across Fortune 500 companies, government contracts, and managed service environments. He has directed complex security programs, managed multi-million dollar budgets, built and led high-performing cybersecurity teams, and guided organizations through successful audits, certifications, and security maturity transformations. Donald holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance, is also a recognized educator, serving as an adjunct cybersecurity instructor, and holds top industry certifications including CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CDPSE, and PMP.

Cybersecurity leader with over 15 years of experience securing mission-critical systems across federal agencies, Fortune 500 enterprises, and healthcare organizations. Specializing in offensive security, vulnerability assessments and penetration testing (VAPT), and driving enterprise-wide cybersecurity strategies, James delivers measurable business value while enhancing resilience, ensuring compliance, and mitigating risk.

With over 15 years of experience in software development and cybersecurity, Jivko is the Head of AI Security and DevSecOps at a Fortune 500 company. He is an application security leader, inventor, and AI security researcher with 20+ certifications and degrees from USF and Stanford.

With over 10 years of experience in the field of cybersecurity, Chris McGuire is a seasoned Security Engineer well-versed in various aspects of cybersecurity. Holding certifications such as CISSP, CEH, and GWAPT, he currently focuses on AI and cloud security. Since 2021, he’s been an instructor at CIAT, sharing his knowledge and expertise with the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

With nearly 20 years of experience in IT leadership and cybersecurity, Eric Burnett possesses expertise in Risk Management, Pen Testing and Vulnerability Management, IT Governance, Infrastructure, and Networking. Presently a Doctoral Candidate in Cybersecurity, he holds a Master’s in Information Systems and has maintained the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credential for over seven years.

Cybersecurity/Information Security instructor at CIAT since 2023 with over 25 years of IT experience and a degree in Computer Engineering from UMass Dartmouth. Previously an instructor at CompTIA for its Security+ certification development program, he currently oversees Information Security operations for a private business association in the San Diego area. Holds several industry certifications including PMP, CASP+, and Security+.

Navy Hospital Corpsman veteran with over 12 years in information technology, cyber security, and tactical medicine. Served with the USMC Cybersecurity workforce, DISA, and the Department of Justice in kinetic operations. Certified CISSP, SSCP, CGRC, Security+, and Network+.

Natalie brings a strong Computer Science background and over 12 years of diverse cybersecurity experience—including Help Desk, Digital Forensics, Incident Response, Threat Hunting, Containerization, Cloud Security, Vulnerability Management, and Endpoint Management across both government and commercial sectors. She holds a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland, a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Associate degrees in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics. Currently Security+ certified, Natalie actively participates in multiple industry initiatives. Her multidisciplinary education and practical experience inspire a passion for teaching and mentoring, empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.