Matt Rideout

Detail-oriented computer scientist with 23 years of experience in software development, information security, and automating operations. Has TS/SCI clearance, an M.S. in Computer Science, and RHCE, CKAD, and CISSP certification.

Work Experience

Joint Warfare Analysis Center

Dahlgren, VA
Computer Scientist /
Team Lead
August 2021 - Present
  • Clearance: Cleared for TOP SECRET information and granted access to Sensitive Compartmented Information based on Single Scope Background Investigation.
  • Leadership: Leading the team that heads up configuration management, operating systems, Cloud environment evaluations, and Kubernetes container orchestration for the command. The service team also provides containerization (Kubernetes), operating systems, and cloud orchestration services to the command.
  • Software Development: Developed an application that facilitates incremental data transfers of software repositories between air-gapped networks via multiple transport mechanisms while providing required security controls. The application allows more rapid, reliable, and granular updates to classified networks than previously possible.
  • Configuration Management: Initiated investigation into Ansible as a unified CM (configuration management) tool to replace fragmented Linux, Windows, and network device tooling. Now leading my team through concurrent migrations to Ansible Automation Platform (AAP) and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
  • Analytical Applications: Adapted and deployed analytic applications to execute JWAC's mission and support the warfighter.
  • Streamlined DevSecOps: Promoting a culture of testing, code reviews, automation, and documentation. Created a positive feedback loop as the team spent less time on ops and more on development. Contributed to a 90%+ reduction in support backlog.
  • Networking: Leading the Linux and Kubernetes sides of an organizational IPv6 rollout.

Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA
Instructional Associate
May 2021 - May 2022

Faculty member instructing a graduate-level AI class offered by the College of Computing (https://lucylabs.gatech.edu/kbai/).

GreenArrow Email

Schneider, IN
Lead System Administrator
2010 - 2021

I headed up the systems administration and information security teams for this email software company:

  • Set up and maintained the systems required to extend the company's on-premises email software into a SaaS Cloud offering. This included configuring KVM hosts, establishing backup and restoration procedures, and automating service provisioning.
  • Developed the company's high availability cluster offering, which utilizes a combination of DRBD, PostgreSQL streaming replication, and in-house software to provide an active/passive cluster running email, web, and database services.
  • Wrote most of the company's customer-facing technical documentation and a number of the company's blog posts.
  • Built and tuned Linux email servers that can send millions of emails per hour.
  • InfoSec Team Lead: responsibilities included advising the CEO on the company security policy, implementing the security policy, training employees, and performing periodic vulnerability assessments.

Wind Serve, LLC

Epworth, GA
IT Consultant
2002 - 2021

I ran this technology consulting business that works with Linux systems administration, web development, and related technologies:

  • Developed DNS Check - a Ruby on Rails application that monitors DNS records for changes, provides troubleshooting and change management tools, and integrates with third-party notification systems, such as Slack and PagerDuty.
  • Technical lead on a Linux, Solaris, and FreeBSD server migration project for the world’s largest automotive wholesaler.
  • Implemented disaster recovery and capacity overflow solutions for customers’ Linux servers using Amazon Web Services (AWS).
  • Web development is primarily in Ruby on Rails and also includes work with the LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP/Python/Perl) stack.
  • Wireless ISP from 2002 to 2003. Designed and constructed a wireless mesh network using off-the-shelf 802.11 and proprietary 900MHz hardware. Phased out to focus on consulting.

University of South Florida

Lakeland, FL
Linux System Administrator
2006 - 2009

Worked on USF's Beowulf Linux cluster (SOFTICE):

  • Configured the cluster to generate networking labs of virtualized Linux routers, switches, and servers used to teach students about computer networking.
  • Wrote a patch for MLN (Manage Large Networks) software that reduced the disk usage of each virtual host by approximately 97%.
  • Collaborated with IT Program Director to maintain the cluster.

MCC Life Brokerage

Tampa, FL
System Administrator
2000 - 2010
  • Sole IT employee for most of this period. Managed a heterogeneous network of Linux, Windows, FreeBSD, and macOS systems.
  • Worked with IT staff following a merger to integrate the voice and data networks across sites. Became the company-wide Linux systems administrator following the merger.

Lakeland High School

Lakeland, FL
Sysadmin's Assistant
1999 - 2000
  • Assisted systems administrator in the day-to-day operations of the campus network.
  • Assisted electronics teacher with repairing and building PCs and building a classroom LAN.

Professional Skills

Systems Administration

Linux systems administration is my strongest skill. I'm at home in Red Hat and Debian-based distros but also comfortable with FreeBSD, Solaris, and macOS. I'm strong on virtualization and containerization, including Kubernetes, Docker, and KVM, and common network services like Apache, BIND, Postfix, Dovecot, PureFTPd, NFS, OpenSSH, and OpenVPN. In addition, I have experience automating tasks with Ansible, Puppet, Cobbler, and Kickstart.

Software Development

I love programming in Golang. My most recent experience is programming backend software in Golang and web apps using Ruby on Rails. I'm also experienced with Python, PHP, Perl, Bash, JavaScript, CSS, HTML, Java, C, and C++.

Security

Experience includes system hardening, firewall, and IPS configuration, encrypting storage, and communications, using secure coding practices, performing vulnerability assessments, working with management to create and update security policies, and training users.

Networking

I'm a networking geek at heart. I'm familiar with Cisco router and switch configuration, abusing Linux routing tables in interesting ways, configuring VPNs, setting up Linux and pfSense firewalls, and using low level-tools like packet sniffers and netcat to troubleshoot issues. I'm also experienced with long-range wireless networking using 802.11x and proprietary equipment and am a licensed amateur radio extra.

Database Administration

I'm experienced in using, administering, and tuning PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite (in that order of competency). This includes PostgreSQL and MySQL replication. I also have limited experience with Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, and Sybase.

High Availability Computing

I'm experienced with configuring high-availability services, including DRBD, pacemaker, various load balancers, HSRP, VRRP, and CARP. I'm also experienced with configuring monitoring and notification systems, including Nagios and PagerDuty.

Education

MS in Computer Science

Georgia Institute of Technology
2017 - 2021
4.0 GPA. 2021 BOLD graduate fellowship recipient. Courses included Machine Learning, Machine Learning for Trading, AI for Robotics, and Knowledge-Based AI.

BS in Information Technology

University of South Florida
2004 - 2006
Recruited by the professor of an Operating Systems class I took in my senior year to work on the SOFTICE cluster described in Work Experience.

AS in Computer Network Engineering Technology

Polk State College
2000 - 2002
Included Cisco Networking Academy semesters 1-4 as part of core coursework and 5-7 as electives.

Certifications

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

(ISC)²
2017 - Present

Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)

Red Hat
2022 - Present

Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)

Linux Foundation
2022 - Present

Security+

CompTIA
2016 - Present

Linux+

CompTIA
2009 - Present

Microsoft Certified Professional

Microsoft
2001 - Present

CCNA Routing and Switching

Cisco
2000 - 2019

Network+ Certified Professional

CompTIA
2000 - Present

A+ Certified Service Technician

CompTIA
1999 - Present