Security Magazine logo
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • MANAGEMENT
  • PHYSICAL
  • CYBER
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
  • EXCLUSIVES
  • SECTORS
  • EVENTS
  • MEDIA
  • MORE
  • EMAG
  • SIGN UP!
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Security Newswire
  • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
  • Leadership Management
  • Enterprise Services
  • Security Education & Training
  • Logical Security
  • Security & Business Resilience
  • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
  • Access Management
  • Fire & Life Safety
  • Identity Management
  • Physical Security
  • Video Surveillance
  • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
  • Cybersecurity News
  • More
  • COLUMNS
  • Cyber Tactics
  • Leadership & Management
  • Security Talk
  • Career Intelligence
  • Leader to Leader
  • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
  • Annual Guarding Report
  • Most Influential People in Security
  • The Security Benchmark Report
  • The Security Leadership Issue
  • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
  • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
  • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
  • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
  • Banking/Finance/Insurance
  • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
  • Education: K-12
  • Education: University
  • Government: Federal, State and Local
  • Hospitality & Casinos
  • Hospitals & Medical Centers
  • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
  • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
  • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
  • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
  • Industry Events
  • Webinars
  • Solutions by Sector
  • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
  • Videos
  • Podcasts
  • Polls
  • Photo Galleries
  • Videos
  • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
  • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
  • MORE
  • Call for Entries
  • Classifieds & Job Listings
  • Continuing Education
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsor Insights
  • Store
  • White Papers
  • EMAG
  • eMagazine
  • This Month's Content
  • Advertise
Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • The Security Leadership Issue
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
CybersecurityManagementSecurity Enterprise ServicesSecurity Leadership and ManagementLogical SecuritySecurity & Business ResilienceProfiles in ExcellenceCybersecurity News

Profile in Excellence

Building, managing, and transforming security into a business enabler

After several decades in the security field, Bob Thibodeaux has extensive experience building and managing cybersecurity programs and transforming security into a business enabler.

By Maria Henriquez
key lock

Andy / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

Bob Thibodeaux

Bob Thibodeaux. Image courtesy of Thibodeaux 

key lock
Bob Thibodeaux
May 11, 2022

During the Great Recession, Bob Thibodeaux — now a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at DefenseStorm — was laid off. While being unemployed in Seattle with thousands of other IT professionals was challenging, being laid off in 2009 changed his life forever, as it led him to find his passion for cybersecurity. “I decided to switch to cybersecurity and started my work to gain the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP),” he explains.

Another experience that put him on the path to a security career? His love for James Bond, military espionage and the greater good. “As a kid growing up in the 1960s, I loved the James Bond movies, watched the series, and read all the books.” In his own way, Thibodeaux is a version of James Bond, protecting businesses from threat actors — nation-states, cybercriminals or hacktivists — while working to increase business resilience.

His love for espionage and a higher purpose led him to the United State Air Force (USAF) in 1972. While he served as an aircraft mechanic, everybody knew Thibodeaux was a computer geek. “I performed help desk duties, email server administration, server administration and mainframe terminal support, and I loved it so much,” he explains. “I thought, ‘This is my vocation.’”

When he left the USAF in 1994, his goal was to transition from aviation management to information technology (IT). While the transition from military service to IT was not difficult, it was definitely a risk. “Making a career change and moving a family of five from Ramstein, Germany to Seattle was a challenge,” he says. He landed his first job as a contractor for Providence Seattle Medical Center and was hired full-time within three months.

Since then, Thibodeaux has worked as an individual contributor, manager and director in every area of IT operations — help desk, systems administration, network administration, network management, network engineering, storage and backup engineering, and Windows Server back office.

Having held positions in the military and private sectors has equipped him with critical life skills.

At The Seattle Times, Thibodeaux says a chief information officer taught him that business acumen was critical to adding value as an IT/cybersecurity leader. “Knowing your business, understanding the laws and regulations associated with the business is critical,” Thibodeaux says. “It will help you translate your value into what the business is doing, as well as reframe cybersecurity into a business enabler to support agility, innovation and growth.”

He sees himself as a business enabler, and not a policy enforcer. “While there certainly should be rules and procedures, you need to find a balance between security and innovation. Innovation requires being open to taking risks,” he says. Security should enable innovation while still protecting data, assets and systems and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Another critical life skill to have as a security leader is learning not to panic, he says. “In the security business, we deal with the risk of failure. You have to be thick-skinned and really resilient because bad things are bound to happen,” Thibodeaux explains. “Being even-keeled, taking a deep breath and solving problems will take you far as a security leader.” All these critical life skills have served him well in his leadership journey, as well as in establishing and managing security programs and departments.

Since joining DefenseStorm in 2015, Thibodeaux has designed, authored and established an information security management system based on ISO 27000 series standards to meet compliance requirements in under 45 days; led the team effort to achieve Security Operations Center (SOC) 2 Type 1 attestation for a DefenseStorm offering; developed risk treatment plans for users and provided reports with a scorecard and risk treatment options to improve security posture; established a SOC to provide incident response and other managed services; and developed and implemented vulnerability and risk assessments that include physical security, security/culture awareness, and network and system security testing.

When asked what’s next for him in his work, Thibodeaux says he is looking forward to retirement in the next year and moving toward consulting and volunteer work with local high schools and colleges to train and mentor the next generation. “I am looking forward to traveling, fishing and learning a new passion,” he says.

While Thibodeaux is looking forward to retirement, it’s been his greatest joy to create a program at DefenseStorm based on trust and empathy and build a team that is passionate and dedicated to the mission of protecting businesses and people. “I am proud of the fact that I consider myself an ordinary guy and a nice one too,” Thibodeaux says. “To me, kindness, compassion, empathy and a dedication to the greater good are critical life skills.”

KEYWORDS: Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) cyber security risk management security management security operations

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Maria Henriquez is a former Associate Editor of Security. She covered topics including cybersecurity and physical security, risk management and more.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Security Enterprise Services
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Security Leadership and Management
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    New Security Technology
    By: Charles Denyer
Subscribe For Free!
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

Security’s Top 5 – 2024 Year in Review

Security’s Top 5 – 2024 Year in Review

Middle East Escalation, Humanitarian Law and Disinformation – Episode 25

Middle East Escalation, Humanitarian Law and Disinformation – Episode 25

The Money Laundering Machine: Inside the global crime epidemic - Episode 24

The Money Laundering Machine: Inside the global crime epidemic - Episode 24

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

  • Duty of Care
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Integrating Technology and Physical Security to Advance Duty of Care

Popular Stories

Internal computer parts

Critical Software Vulnerabilities Rose 37% in 2024

Coding

AI Emerges as the Top Concern for Security Leaders

Person working on laptop

Governance in the Age of Citizen Developers and AI

patient at healthcare reception desk

Almost Half of Healthcare Breaches Involved Microsoft 365

Half open laptop

“Luigi Was Right”: A Look at the Website Sharing Data on More Than 1,000 Executives

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

June 24, 2025

Inside a Modern GSOC: How Anthropic Benchmarks Risk Detection Tools for Speed and Accuracy

For today's security teams, making informed decisions in the first moments of a crisis is critical.

August 27, 2025

Risk Mitigation as a Competitive Edge

In today’s volatile environment, a robust risk management strategy isn’t just a requirement—it’s a foundation for organizational resilience. From cyber threats to climate disruptions, the ability to anticipate, withstand, and adapt to disruption is becoming a hallmark of industry leaders.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • greeting

    Leveraging security as a business enabler

    See More
  • leadership

    Beyond Talking the Talk: Building Cybersecurity into a Company’s DNA

    See More
  • SEC0820-Cover-Feat-slide1_900px

    Managing Risk, Business Continuity and Resiliency during a Pandemic

    See More

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • August 27, 2025

    Risk Mitigation as a Competitive Edge

    In today’s volatile environment, a robust risk management strategy isn’t just a requirement—it’s a foundation for organizational resilience. From cyber threats to climate disruptions, the ability to anticipate, withstand, and adapt to disruption is becoming a hallmark of industry leaders.
View AllSubmit An Event
×
Andy / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Bob Thibodeaux. Image courtesy of Thibodeaux 

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • The Security Leadership Issue
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!