Patrick Gillespie

Patrick Gillespie is the CEO & Founder of Boots To Cyber, a company focused on hiring and training military professionals as cybersecurity experts. Patrick is also a Managing Security Consultant at GuidePoint Security and a member of the Leadership Council at the National Small Business Association. In addition, Gillespie is a Guest Speaker at InfoSec Court. Previously, they worked as a Principal Security Consultant at Security Compass Advisory and as the SVP Director of Network Security (Red Team) at SBS CyberSecurity. Before transitioning into the cybersecurity field, Gillespie held several IT roles, including Network & Security Administrator at American Railcar Industries, Exchange Administrator and Server Administrator at Smith & Nephew. Gillespie started their career in the military, where they served as an Intelligence Analyst in the Army National Guard.

Patrick Gillespie has a Master's degree in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Security, which they obtained from Boston University between 2010 and 2016. Before that, they got a Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems from Thomas Edison State University (2006-2007). Additionally, they studied Computer Information Systems at The University of Memphis (2004-2007) and Computer Programming at Northeast Mississippi Community College (2002-2003). Patrick graduated from high school at Middleton High in Middleton, TN in 2002. Patrick has also obtained several certifications, including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), and CompTIA PenTest+. Patrick has also obtained some Aerohive wireless certifications and other networking-related certifications. Additionally, they are a Red Cross-certified Lifeguard.