
BLACKMERE CASE STUDY:
Cybersecurity Manager
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Client Overview:
Our client, a higher education institution in the Midwest, is a mission-driven organization committed to fostering a safe, supportive environment for its students, faculty, and surrounding community. Recognizing the increasing importance of cybersecurity, they embarked on an initiative to strengthen their security capabilities and mitigate potential threats to their systems and data. To lead this essential initiative, they needed an experienced Cybersecurity Manager with the skills and vision to enhance their security posture and implement sustainable solutions.
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Challenge:
The client required a Cybersecurity Manager who could perform a comprehensive assessment of the institution’s current security state, provide strategic recommendations, and develop initiatives to address critical vulnerabilities. The ideal candidate needed to be a hands-on leader with experience in organizational audits and cloud security, capable of translating complex security findings into actionable projects. Essential qualifications included:
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Extensive experience conducting security audits, preferably with NIST standards, and performing organizational assessments.
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A deep understanding of the full security landscape, from network protection to cloud security, with the ability to make comprehensive recommendations for remediation.
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Senior-level expertise, over five years in cybersecurity leadership, a CISSP or equivalent certification, and the authority to advise internal stakeholders.
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A proactive, curious approach to problem-solving and learning is essential for navigating the unique security needs of an academic environment.
Given the client's community-oriented mission and the budget challenges the team was facing, it was important that we were able to find a candidate with a passion for service. Significant political factors impacted the projects, and the ideal candidate would be able to present a balanced strategy that is mindful of restrictions.
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Solution:
We utilized our cybersecurity recruitment expertise to find a candidate with the technical skills, strategic insight, and mission-driven mindset to advance the client’s security initiatives. With a thorough understanding of the client’s goals and the academic environment’s unique requirements, we crafted a recruitment approach emphasizing technical competency and cultural alignment.
Our approach involved:
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Targeted Search for Senior Cybersecurity Leaders: Blackmere focused on identifying senior-level cybersecurity professionals with a background in audit and assessment who could effectively handle both the technical demands and the strategic responsibilities of the role. Special emphasis was placed on candidates with experience in the NIST framework and strong knowledge of cloud security.
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Emphasis on Communication and Authority: To meet the client’s need for a credible advisor, we evaluated candidates’ communication skills and ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders. We prioritized individuals who could confidently articulate security needs and gain buy-in from the institution’s leadership.
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Cultural Fit and Adaptability Assessment: Understanding the client’s community-driven mission, we sought candidates with a strong sense of service and adaptability who were excited about the opportunity to strengthen cybersecurity in a higher education setting.
Result:
Blackmere found a Cybersecurity Manager who brought the expertise, authority, and collaborative mindset essential to this role. This individual’s background in cybersecurity leadership, audit, and cloud security enabled them to deliver immediate value to the client by assessing the institution’s security landscape and building a clear, actionable roadmap for improvement.
In their first phase, the new hire:
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Conducted a comprehensive organizational security assessment using the NIST framework, identifying critical areas for improvement.
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Presented actionable recommendations to internal stakeholders, demonstrating authority and fostering trust as a knowledgeable advisor.
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Developed multiple projects and initiatives to address vulnerabilities, prioritizing tasks to align with the institution’s immediate and long-term security goals.
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Began the implementation of recommended measures, working closely with project leadership and contributing to a security transformation that supports the client’s mission and community.
Impact:
Through the work of the newly placed Cybersecurity Manager, the client has significantly advanced its cybersecurity posture, building a more resilient environment for its students, faculty, and staff. By conducting a thorough security audit and developing structured initiatives, the new hire has set the stage for long-term security improvements that align with the institution’s mission to serve and protect its community.
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Key Takeaways:
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Blackmere’s targeted recruitment of a mission-driven cybersecurity leader enabled the client to achieve a meaningful security transformation, addressing the unique challenges of the higher education sector.
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Our focus on finding a candidate with both technical expertise and the authority to guide stakeholders ensured a successful, collaborative relationship with internal teams and project leadership.
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Blackmere’s understanding of the client’s security needs and community-oriented mission allowed us to deliver a tailored solution that strengthened cybersecurity and supported the institution’s goals.
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CASE PROFILE
Company:
A Midwest-based, community-focused higher education institution dedicated to fostering a safe environment for students, faculty, and the surrounding community.
Industry:
Higher Education
Challenge
Securing a senior-level cybersecurity leader with expertise in audits, cloud security, and stakeholder collaboration to address vulnerabilities and advance security initiatives.
Solution
Blackmere conducted a targeted search for a mission-driven cybersecurity leader with technical expertise, strategic insight, and the authority to advise internal stakeholders effectively.
Impact
The new hire conducted a comprehensive security audit, delivered actionable recommendations, and implemented initiatives to enhance the institution’s cybersecurity, supporting its mission and community.
Client Testimonials:
CFO: "We just had the most amazing all-hands meeting here today... We are making such an impact. It’s mind-blowing. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!"
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COO: "You. Are. AMAZING!! You totally delivered a unicorn, and [candidate] is amazing. Well done!!"
Through strategic talent acquisition and confidential search processes, our firm played a critical role in strengthening our clients' cybersecurity capabilities, enabling them to navigate complex cyber threats and drive organizational success with confidence.
Interested in learning how Blackmere can transform your difficult-to-fill or high-profile roles? Learn more