Matthew Sharp, Securing Linux in a Heterogenous Enterprise Environment

This seminar examines the challenges of securing Linux (and legacy UNIX) systems in heterogenous enterprise environments, where cohabitant Windows infrastructure often dictates corporate security focus, resources, and tooling. Drawing on experiences across academia, large industry, and more modestly-sized startups, Sharp will highlight practical strategies, open source approaches, and mindset shifts needed to effectively protect Linux in a Windows-centric security landscape. About the speaker: Matthew Sharp has dedicated over two decades to securing UNIX and Linux servers across diverse environments of widely varying scale and complexity, in roles encompassing systems and network administration, red team contract work, and system and security engineering. Presently, he serves as a Principal Engineer at Toyota Motor North America with their Cyber Defensive Services group. His extensive experience has provided firsthand insights into the challenges associated with securing Linux systems in environments where Windows typically dominates both infrastructure and security investments. Sharp is particularly interested in advancing practical, open-source-driven approaches to Linux security and fostering a mindset that empowers practitioners to take proactive steps in addressing problems that mainstream security tools often overlook.