Network Security & Technology Advisor

This is a senior-level advisory position serving as the Sheriff's primary technology and cybersecurity advisor. The person fills the functional role of a fractional CTO and CISO for a law enforcement organization. They work directly with the Sheriff and command staff, coordinate with the County's IT Services Division, and interface externally with federal agencies including CISA, FBI, HSI, and IC3. Discretion, confidentiality, and the ability to operate inside a law enforcement environment are non-negotiable conditions of the role.

Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

• Strategic Technology Leadership:
  • Assist the Sheriff in setting the vision, mission, and strategy for the Sheriff's Office IT organization
  • Develop short and long-term technology plans aligned with law enforcement operational needs
  • Lead evaluation and delivery of enterprise-wide technology solutions
  • Contribute to the development and execution of the RCPIN (Rockland County Police Information Network) IT infrastructure
  • Coordinate with the County's Information Technology Services Division and senior County management
• Project & Budget Management:
  • Manage coordination and execution of technology-related operating and capital projects
  • Assist in developing and controlling the annual and capital IT budget
  • Handle special projects related to technology, communications, 911 systems, and cellular services
  • Review and recommend all IT purchasing decisions for the Sheriff's Office
  • Review all IT contracts including SaaS agreements
• Vendor & Contract Oversight:
  • Review and recommend partnership agreements and contracts with technology providers
  • Licensing review and compliance verification
  • Application software review and recommendations
  • Mobile device management review and recommendations
  • RFP and bid coordination including creation, review, and recommendations
• Network Security — Operational:
  • Create, implement, and maintain cybersecurity policies for the Sheriff's Office covering both networking and network security disciplines
  • Conduct quarterly and annual network security reviews, produce reports and recommendations
  • Lead identification, assessment, and mitigation of cyber risks using quantitative and qualitative methods
  • Coordinate all patching and change management activities
  • Manage password management practices and physical technology asset security
  • Manage cybersecurity of local and client data and network infrastructure
  • Oversee network security for the RCPIN network and any local police departments utilizing it
• Training & Awareness:
  • Develop and run ongoing network security education programs within Sheriff's Office units
  • Plan and execute regular phishing simulation campaigns
  • Cross-train staff to eliminate single points of failure in subject matter expertise
• Federal Agency Coordination:
  • Serve as the primary liaison for cybersecurity collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), and CISA
• Technical Architecture Oversight:
  • Lead technical architecture, infrastructure, software development, and quality assurance decisions
  • Ensure platforms are secure, high-quality, and cost-effective
  • Oversee intrusion detection, vulnerability assessments, and incident response

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree required in Business Administration, Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or Network Engineering

Experience

• 10 to 15+ years of experience managing enterprise networks
• 10 years of experience in government or regulated industries in a management capacity
• Prior work with a county sheriff's office or as a federal contractor
• Demonstrated experience with CJIS-regulated data, digital evidence handling, and sensitive law enforcement infrastructure
• Experience conducting comprehensive cybersecurity risk assessments and delivering actionable recommendations to executive leadership

Technical Knowledge

• Enterprise routing and switching
• VLANs, MPLS, SD-WAN
• VPN design and secure remote access
• Network segmentation and zero-trust architecture
• High-availability design
• Firewall management and configuration
• Intrusion detection and vulnerability assessment tools
• Incident response procedures
• Risk management frameworks applicable to government environments

Soft Skills & Professional Requirements

• Ability to explain complex technical findings in plain language to non-technical executives including the Sheriff and command staff
• Exceptional discretion and judgment — this is a confidential direct report relationship
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding law enforcement operations, investigations, and infrastructure
• Professional composure in a sensitive, high-stakes government environment

Mandatory Conditions of Employment

• Must be available onsite in Rockland County government offices a minimum of 3 to 4 days per week throughout the contract term
• Must pass a rigorous background check including criminal fingerprint clearance prior to start
• Must maintain that clearance in good standing for the full duration of the contract, including any option years exercised
• Must be willing to attend meetings as scheduled by the Sheriff, including meetings outside normal business hours as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant industry certifications: CISSP, CISM, C|CISO, CEH, Security+, or equivalent
• Direct prior experience supporting a county Sheriff's Office, municipal police department, or public safety agency
• Familiarity with CJIS Security Policy compliance requirements
• Knowledge of New York State cybersecurity regulations and government procurement requirements
• Experience coordinating with federal law enforcement agencies on cybersecurity initiatives