Joseph Avanzato
About Joseph Avanzato
Joseph Avanzato is a Security Specialist at Varonis with extensive experience in cybersecurity, including roles at Paychex and Rochester Institute of Technology.
Company
Joseph Avanzato is currently employed at Varonis, a company widely recognized for its data security and analytics solutions. He has held the position of Security Specialist since 2021.
Previous Employment
Before joining Varonis, Joseph Avanzato accumulated diverse experience in the field of cybersecurity. He served at Paychex from 2018 to 2021. During his tenure at Paychex, he held various roles, including Cyber Detection Lead, Security Investigation Unit Specialist II, and Security Investigation Unit Specialist. His responsibilities were based in Rochester, New York. He also worked as a Graduate Research Assistant at Rochester Institute of Technology from 2017 to 2018, and as Office IT/Tech at Finger Lakes Gastroenterology from 2013 to 2016. Earlier positions included Application Coordinator at Sarphatie Education, Inc. in 2012-2013 and Assistant Financial Advisor at Precision Financial Services in 2011.
Education and Expertise
Joseph Avanzato holds a Master's degree in Computing Security from Rochester Institute of Technology, completed in 2018. He also earned a Bachelor's degree in Physics and Political Science from the University of Rochester in 2012. He is proficient in a range of cybersecurity tools, including Honeypots/Deception, RedLine, FTK, Volatility, and Remnux, and has experience with platforms such as OpenCTI, MISP, and ThreatStream.
Special Projects and Initiatives
Joseph Avanzato has made significant contributions to cybersecurity through various projects. He developed Splunk Machine Learning models for threat detection using telemetry from over 40,000 endpoints. Additionally, he authored a blog titled 'attackersmindset.com,' where he shares insights on cybersecurity. His GitHub repository at github.com/joeavanzato showcases custom tools and projects.
Skills and Techniques
Joseph Avanzato is skilled in standing up and maintaining cybersecurity platforms. He has engineered solutions focusing on Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA), Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR), and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). His work often involves engaging in Purple Team Exercises with customers to assess and improve cyber resiliency. He has also demonstrated a strong interest and experience in protocol design and analysis.