Keith Brautigam

Keith Brautigam is an experienced IT and cybersecurity professional specializing in identity and access management. Over the years, he has grown from systems administration to senior leadership roles, including Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Interim Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Penn State University. His work has focused on strengthening security, improving IT systems, and ensuring regulatory compliance across various organizations.

Keith was born in San Diego, California, and moved to the East Bay Area of San Francisco when he was two. His interest in technology began at a young age, sparked by friends who owned early Amiga and Atari computers. Initially drawn to video games, it wasn’t long before he became more focused on optimizing his computer's performance to enhance his gaming experience. Later, his family relocated to Iowa City, Iowa, during high school, where he pursued a Communication and Media Studies degree at the University of Iowa. This also allowed him to study abroad in Mérida, Venezuela.

After completing his degree, Keith faced challenges in the job market, particularly following the burst of the 1990s eCommerce bubble. He moved to Research Triangle, North Carolina, where he worked as a supervisor at a Borders bookstore. While not directly related to his field, the position gave him valuable experience in customer service and leadership. He later returned to Iowa City and accepted an IT position at a medical research center, which marked the start of his career in IT systems and data security.

Keith transitioned to the higher education sector, where he worked on modernizing internal processes and adapting to new technologies. His experience with Agile SCRUM software development practices led to his recruitment by the University of Iowa's central IT department. In 2014, he was recruited to Penn State University, where he steadily advanced from Manager to Director, CISO, and eventually Interim CIO. He led various initiatives throughout his tenure, including successfully implementing the Shields Up cybersecurity program.

In 2023, Keith relocated to the Denver Metro Area and joined Hunter Douglas as the Global Cybersecurity Director of Identity and Access Management. In this role, he quickly established an IAM program, implemented an identity governance system, and led efforts to improve security across multiple regions.

Website: https://keithabrautigam.com