John Burke

Background

About John Burke

Tell me,'That's impossible,' and I'll tell you,'There's got to be a way.' That belief has shaped everything I do—from coding to security to cross-cultural leadership. It’s how I approach life’s 'impossible' problems—one iteration at a time.I am a full-spectrum security expert with 25+ years of experience—rooted in software development and secure coding. I specialize in AppSec and AI model security, while also driving initiatives in cloud security, incident response, GRC, IAM, encryption, threat modeling, secure SDLC, and vulnerability management.I rewrite the rules of engagement to deliver quantum leaps in security—integrating AppSec and AI red teaming, automating critical scanning pipelines, turning third-party risk into growth enablers, and translating policy into practical defenses.Whether as the sole Head of Security at an early-stage startup or as part of a 26-person engineering organization, I demonstrate full-spectrum security mastery.Even in unfamiliar territory, I’m often mistaken for the veteran—teams from every domain seek my expertise because I’m an insatiable, quick learner who asks the right questions.I earned my CISSP in under a year of formal security experience, reinforcing my ability to ramp up and deliver impact fast.Whether deciphering monolithic legacy codebases or navigating obscure Uzbek regulations—I dive in, break down ambiguity, focus on what matters, and drive down risk through iterative remediation.I’ve driven both nonprofit and social impact—leading initiatives that created 100+ sustainable jobs in under-resourced regions and building trust across multiple languages (English, Uzbek, Russian, and beyond). This work, grounded in my math & physics education, forged a leadership style that is human-centered, outcome-focused, and clarity-driven.I embed security as a strategic business enabler—leveraging technical expertise and collaboration to deliver scalable protections for engineers, QA, business leaders, and end users.I have delivered conferences and trainings locally, nationally, and internationally on topics ranging from security, AI, and agile leadership to self-improvement, interpersonal and intercultural relationships, and community engagement.If you have an 'impossible' problem or you’re as passionate as I am about improving security, people, processes, and our shared humanity, let's connect. I’m always open to engagements or informal conversations.