Keith Brautigam

About Keith Brautigam

Keith Brautigam is a highly experienced IT and cybersecurity professional specializing in identity and access management. Over the years, he has advanced from systems administration roles to leadership positions, including Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Interim Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Penn State University. He has led numerous initiatives to enhance security, streamline IT systems, and ensure compliance across various organizations.

Keith Brautigam was born in San Diego, California, and moved to the East Bay Area of San Francisco when he was two. His early interest in technology was sparked by friends whose families owned Amiga and Atari computers. While initially enjoying playing video games, he became more focused on optimizing computer performance to improve his gaming experience.

During high school, Keith relocated to Iowa City, Iowa. He pursued a Communication and Media Studies degree at the University of Iowa, which included a study abroad program in Mérida, Venezuela.

After completing his degree, Keith faced a challenging IT job market following the collapse of the 1990s eCommerce bubble. He moved to Research Triangle in North Carolina, where he worked as a supervisor at a Borders bookstore. Although this was not his intended career path, he credits this experience for teaching him valuable customer service and supervisory skills. Later, while visiting Iowa City, he was offered a position at the medical research center where he had previously worked as a student.

He was an IT Systems Administrator at the medical research center, a role that defined his career trajectory. He recognized the growing importance of IT compliance and data security, particularly with the introduction of HIPAA regulations. Keith managed secure systems in clinical and research environments, focusing on lung imaging and supporting efforts to find cures for diseases like emphysema.

Keith transitioned to higher education, seeking new challenges. He joined a team that modernized research administration processes by moving them online. This role introduced him to Agile SCRUM software development practices and newer web technologies. His expertise soon caught the attention of the central IT department at the University of Iowa, where he was recruited to join their Identity and Access Management (IAM) team.

2014 Keith was recruited for a management position at Penn State University. Over the next several years, he was promoted multiple times, advancing from Manager to Director, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), and Deputy CIO. In 2023, he was appointed Interim Chief Information Officer (CIO), overseeing the university’s information technology enterprise. During his tenure, he earned several professional qualifications, including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification, an MBA, and a Graduate Certificate in Strategic Leadership.

As CISO, Keith Brautigam led Penn State University’s information security program, which supported over 200,000 students, faculty, and staff and protected over $1 billion in annual research expenditures. He played a key role in developing and executing the university’s cybersecurity strategy, including the Shields Up initiative, which implemented CISA’s best practices to safeguard the university’s network, devices, and business email systems.