40%
reduction in deployment risk
by embedding automated security validation into CI/CD delivery workflows.
CISO-Level Security Leader | AI Security Advisor | DevSecOps Executive
Alex Llano
Director-level cybersecurity leadership for enterprise risk, AI security, resilient modernization, and delivery confidence.
Senior cybersecurity and infrastructure leader with hands-on depth across security operations, architecture, cloud, engineering, AI security, and DevSecOps. Alex helps executives turn complex risk into practical operating models teams can execute.
CISO and Director-level strategyAI security governancevCISO and advisory fitInfrastructure-to-boardroom credibility
Leadership Signal
CISO-level direction informed by operational reality
Alex started in technology in 2009 and has led across data center engineering, SOC operations, infrastructure, architecture, AI security, and DevSecOps management. His work connects enterprise priorities with practical execution and measurable outcomes.
50%
improvement in detection and response performance
through stronger signal quality, automation, and operational accountability.
15+ years
of progressive technology and security leadership
spanning infrastructure, SOC operations, architecture, DevSecOps, AI security, and enterprise strategy.
CISO / Director-Level Strategy
Shapes security roadmaps that align investment, governance, AI adoption, and risk decisions with executive priorities.
Engineering Credibility
Brings practical depth from infrastructure, SOC operations, architecture, AI security, and DevSecOps to guide complex programs.
Practical Risk Reduction
Builds operating models that improve control effectiveness while preserving delivery speed and reliability.
Featured Expertise
CISO, Director, and advisory domains
High-value domains across executive cybersecurity leadership, AI security, secure delivery, advisory support, and resilient infrastructure modernization.
CISO & Director-Level Security Leadership
Set security strategy, operating cadence, decision rights, and executive reporting that keep enterprise programs aligned to business objectives, risk appetite, and growth.
Outcome: clearer executive decisions, stronger accountability, and security programs that mature with the business.
vCISO & Security Advisory
Translate board, executive, engineering, and risk priorities into pragmatic roadmaps, governance models, and security investment choices.
Outcome: practical advisory support for leaders who need direction, credibility, and measurable progress.
AI Security & Governance
Guide secure AI adoption through governance, LLM application risk reviews, data exposure controls, vendor evaluation, and responsible-use guardrails.
Outcome: faster AI adoption with clearer risk ownership, safer data handling, and stronger executive confidence.
DevSecOps
Integrate security controls into engineering workflows, CI/CD governance, and platform standards while preserving delivery speed.
Outcome: fewer late-stage security defects, faster release confidence, and stronger control consistency.
Cloud & Platform Security
Secure cloud and hybrid modernization through resilient architecture patterns, secure defaults, and continuous assurance.
Outcome: reduced architecture-level exposure and stronger resilience across critical infrastructure.
Security Operations & Incident Readiness
Strengthen detection and response by improving signal quality, investigative discipline, and incident accountability.
Outcome: improved detection fidelity, better response execution, and measurable operational readiness.
Identity, Governance & Risk
Advance identity-first security, least-privilege controls, risk governance, and architecture guardrails across workforce and platform identities.
Outcome: security investment aligned to risk appetite, compliance obligations, and strategic priorities.
Consulting Fit
Where advisory conversations create value
Focused support for organizations that need senior security judgment, AI risk clarity, practical execution plans, and stronger confidence in modernization decisions.
Security Strategy & Roadmaps
Prioritize security initiatives, clarify executive tradeoffs, and turn risk objectives into funded, sequenced execution plans.
AI Security Readiness
Establish AI governance, LLM application review patterns, acceptable-use controls, vendor risk questions, and data protection guardrails.
DevSecOps Operating Models
Define guardrails, platform standards, and measurable controls that engineering teams can adopt without slowing delivery.
Cloud & Infrastructure Risk Reviews
Assess modernization programs, architecture decisions, identity boundaries, and operational resilience against business risk.
Security Operations Maturity
Improve detection fidelity, response ownership, incident readiness, and leadership visibility into operational risk.
Selected Experience
Career highlights
Latest-first progression from enterprise security leadership through DevSecOps execution, architecture, SOC operations, and infrastructure engineering.
Enterprise security strategy and secure delivery leadership
Security Engineer Manager, DevSecOps
Restaurant Brands International · Apr 2022 – Present
Led enterprise DevSecOps strategy, embedded automated security validation into CI/CD (reducing deployment risk by 40%), and improved detection and response performance by 50%.
Security operations and detection engineering
Senior Security Analyst
Ultimate Software Group · Jan 2018 – Apr 2022
Built custom detections and SOC automation, led investigations, and advanced vulnerability remediation through close partnership with risk and DevOps teams.
Cloud, infrastructure, and platform modernization
Solutions Architect / Infrastructure Engineer
DataRemote / Advantone · Apr 2016 – Jan 2018
Designed secure architectures, led infrastructure projects across hybrid environments, and automated deployment workflows using Terraform and Chef.
L2/L3 security operations and incident response
SOC Specialist
Akamai Technologies · May 2014 – Apr 2016
Handled customer-facing DDoS and network security incidents, performed packet analysis, and authored automation scripts to improve response workflows.
Mission-critical infrastructure operations
Data Center Engineer
Verizon Terremark · Dec 2011 – May 2014
Supported enterprise data center environments, resolved complex L2–L4 issues, and strengthened uptime reliability through disciplined operations.
Featured Insights
Recent insights
Executive perspectives on AI security, cybersecurity leadership, infrastructure security, and business-aligned risk management.
AI SecurityAlex LlanoAug 12, 2026
AI Security Governance for Enterprise Leaders
A practical executive framework for governing AI adoption, LLM application risk, data exposure, and accountable ownership.
Read insightDevSecOpsAlex LlanoJan 24, 2026
DevSecOps Leadership: What to Standardize and What to Keep Flexible
How security leaders can define guardrails that improve reliability without slowing engineering momentum.
Read insight