Geoff Harcourt
About Geoff Harcourt
Geoff Harcourt is the CTO and Co-Founder of CommonLit, focusing on implementing rigorous security measures to protect student data and preparing for their first SOC 2 certification.
Geoff Harcourt: CTO and Co-Founder of CommonLit
Geoff Harcourt is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Co-Founder of CommonLit, an organization dedicated to providing educational resources. In his leadership role, Geoff oversees the technical team and ensures that the technological infrastructure aligns with the company’s mission and objectives. His responsibilities include managing a team of ten engineers and five data scientists, together focusing on innovative solutions in the educational sector.
Geoff Harcourt's Security Initiatives at CommonLit
Geoff Harcourt is focused on implementing rigorous security measures to protect student data at CommonLit. One of his primary goals is to achieve least privilege for security, minimizing access to only what is necessary. Utilizing Indent for read-only access to AWS resources and Tailscale connections, Geoff ensures that tighter access controls are in place. He has also set up auto-approvals for on-call responsibilities to alleviate potential bottlenecks in managing access.
Geoff Harcourt's Use of Indent and Tailscale in AWS Management
Geoff Harcourt leverages Indent and Tailscale to manage AWS access at CommonLit. By using Indent, he facilitates read-only access and selectively blocks access to the production end of their Tailscale connection. This approach helps maintain security and allows efficient management of AWS resources. Access logs from Indent are also used as evidence for access control practices.
Preparing for SOC 2 Certification: Geoff Harcourt’s Strategy
Geoff Harcourt is at the helm of preparing CommonLit for its first SOC 2 certification. This preparation involves setting up robust security protocols and using tools such as Indent to control AWS access. By focusing on industry-standard security measures, Geoff aims to ensure that CommonLit meets all requirements for SOC 2 certification, thereby enhancing the trustworthiness of their data protection practices.
Geoff Harcourt on Protecting Academic Data from Ransomware
One of Geoff Harcourt’s chief concerns is safeguarding school district data against academic ransomware attacks. Through stringent security measures and continuous monitoring, Geoff actively works on strategies to mitigate such risks. By implementing advanced access controls and preparing for SOC 2 certification, he aims to bolster the security framework at CommonLit, ensuring that sensitive academic data remains protected.