About CyberSME
Security and IT help from someone who speaks your language.
Hi, I'm John Walp
I've spent more than 30 years in information security across financial services and health insurance. I served as Chief Information Security Officer at a large regional bank for seven years. I've led incident response and data-breach investigations at a global incident response firm and a Big Four firm, done IT audit for a major bank, and held network security and architecture leadership at a Fortune 500 health insurer. I've also built a cyber services practice, and I'm recognized as an expert in online fraud.
I started CyberSME to bring that experience to small businesses, which face the same threats as big companies with a fraction of the resources. CyberSME is a veteran-owned business.
I'm a 22-year U.S. Air Force veteran (active and reserve, 1986-2008). In 2004 I was recalled to active duty and deployed to Kuwait supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
My approach is simple: find the risks that actually matter for your business, explain them in plain English, and help you fix them in a sensible order that fits your budget.
Credentials
- CISSP, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, (ISC)², since 2009
- CISM, Certified Information Security Manager, ISACA, since 2007
- CRISC, Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control, ISACA, since 2014
- Named North Information Security Executive of the Year by The Executive Network (TEN), 2012
- Contributing author, Threats, Countermeasures and Advances in Applied Information Security and Strategic and Practical Approaches for Information Security Governance (IGI Global, 2012)
- Education: SUNY Buffalo State, B.S. Computer Information Systems
In the community
Outside of work I've been a youth hockey coach with Amherst Youth Hockey since 2005 and a Cub Scout pack committee chair since 2007.
How I work
I keep things practical: explain what matters, skip the jargon, and recommend only what makes sense for your business. CyberSME is based in Buffalo, NY, serving Western New York on-site and small businesses anywhere remotely.
Let's talk