Featured image of post Kayssar Daher

Kayssar Daher

Security Engineer & Leader

Hi! 👋

Who am I?

I’m a security & data privacy enthusiast specialising in building security for tech startups.

I’ve had various security oriented roles for the last 7 years, ranging from cloud security engineering to compliance leadership positions.

As a security leader who understands the importance of reducing cognitive load & improving developer efficiency, I’ve always worked to ensure my teams are embedded in the wider engineering departments we’re in, so we can share the same pains, and as a result, successes too.

Skill map

Experience

Security Lead @ GitGuardian

📍 Paris        ➡️ July 2022        🏁 ongoing        👨‍👩‍👦 70 → 170

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🤖 Tech stack:
    AWS, Python, Kubernetes, ArgoCD, Terraform, ElasticSearch, PostgreSQL
🔐 Security stack:
    Okta, AWS, Terraform, SignalSciences WAF, Vanta, CarbonBlack,
    Kandji, Panther SIEM, YesWeHack

Currently leading all security initiatives, building GitGuardian’s security capabilities and managing a team of 3 people.

Technical achievements

  • Built from scratch company’s access management automation
    • Moved company from Google Workspace to Okta & Hashicorp Vault based system
    • Automated RBAC permission granting, using Terraform & GitOps, and YAML team manifests
    • Collaborated with Developer Efficiency team on writing a CLI that enabled developers to fetch dynamic credentials managed by the system
  • Deployed self-hosted Web Application Firewall on Kubernetes to production
  • Drove security shift left efforts by implementing new security scans in the CI pipelines
  • Implemented DataDog CSPM to protect AWS resources
  • Selected and deployed a new SIEM tool, Panther, to bootstrap company’s security monitoring capabilities.

GRC achievements

  • Successfully led 2023’s and 2024’s SOC 2 Type 2 audits
  • Developed and carried out the company annual security training program, achieved an NPS of +40 2 years running
  • Maintained and rewrote organisation’s security documentation & policies
  • Advised coworkers on implementing security best practices in GitGuardian products & systems
  • Implemented process and carried out vendor security due diligence assessments
  • Rstructured company’s Incident Response Plan and handled security incidents

Management achievements

  • Managed the security team’s budget
    • Kept expenditure below the 300k$ budget
    • Successfully negotiated contracts with vendors and achieved significant discounts (eg. 60%, 45% and 25%)
  • Mentored 2 junior engineers entering the security field
  • Helped an experienced GRC specialist turn a difficult situation into a successful cooperation
  • Established and delivered the Security team’s OKRs to bring higher security value to GitGuardian and its customers

SecOps Engineer @ Ledger

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🤖 Tech stack:
    AWS, Terraform, Gitea, PostgreSQL, Jira
🔐 Security stack:
    Cloudflare

📍 Paris        ➡️ April 2022        🏁 June 2022        👨‍👩‍👦 ~700

  • Spent 3 months trying to bootstrap security operations capabilities at Ledger
    • Failed because of significant siloisation within the company
  • I put an end to my probationary period due to cultural misfit

Security Engineer @ JobTeaser

📍 Paris        ➡️ June 2020        🏁 March 2022        👨‍👩‍👦 200 → 300

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🤖 Tech stack:
    AWS, Kubernetes, Terraform, Ruby on Rails, Go, Ansible
🔐 Security stack:
    Okta, Cloudflare, ElasticSearch, HashiCorp Vault, CarbonBlack

Technical achievements

  • Automated Cloudflare WAF deployment for all Kubernetes hosted apps, using Terraform and Helm
  • Re-architected & automated DNS record deployment
  • Maintained & secured platform secret management with Hashicorp Vault
  • Automated identity & permission management using Okta & CI pipelines
  • Responded to & managed security incidents
  • Tested, selected & rolled out an EDR solution on all workstations

GRC achievements

  • Created and maintained client & user facing security information website, significantly reducing incoming security inquiries
  • Managed security audits & helped the organisation successfully obtain a GDPR certification
  • Planned & carried out annual security awareness campaigns
  • Updated & managed security documentation (incident response process & DRP, among others)

Management achievements

  • Managed the security team’s budget
    • Kept expenditure below the 100k$ budget
    • Successfully negotiated contracts with auditors
  • Established and delivered the Security team’s OKRs to bring higher security value to GitGuardian and its customers

Security Engineer & DPO @ Polyconseil

📍 Paris        ➡️ July 2018        🏁 May 2020        👨‍👩‍👦 ~160

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🤖 Tech stack:
    AWS, Kubernetes, Terraform
🔐 Security stack:
    Splunk, Ansible, Packer

Technical achievements

  • Designed and implemented IT Security mainstays for a DC-to-Cloud migration
  • Monitored & responded to SIEM security alerts
  • Maintained Splunk SIEM to the AWS cloud
  • Carried out security architecture reviews for multiple projects

GRC achievements

  • Defined the firm’s Information Systems Security Policy (ISSP)
  • Initiated firm’s GDPR compliance efforts
    • Established firm register of processing activities
    • Prepared DSAR management playbooks
    • Carried out GDPR trainings for all employees
    • Successfully managed a GDPR audit by France’s CNIL

Security Consultant @ EY France

📍 Paris        ➡️ April 2017        🏁 June 2018        👨‍👩‍👦 ~5000

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🤖 Tech stack:
    N/A
🔐 Security stack:
    Kali Linux, BurpSuite CE
  • Carried out multiple security audit jobs for clients (configuration, code & infrastructure)
  • Took part in several web application penetration tests
  • Completed GDPR governance audits and IT security maturity assessments for clients
  • Developed automated OSINT tools for pentesting team

Education

Ingénieur Supélec @ CentraleSupélec

📍 Rennes        ➡️ September 2013        🏁 April 2017       

Majored in IT Security, cryptography, secure protocols, forensics, penetration techniques etc.

Master In Management @ ESCP Business School

📍 Paris & London        ➡️ September 2014        🏁 April 2017       

Business administration, management, marketing, finance, EU law, strategy