Danielle Koppel

About Me

I'm a Security Engineer who builds governance, risk, and compliance controls that actually work by going beyond the check box.

My work blends hands-on engineering with strategic advisory. I've hardened 2,000+ endpoints against browser-based threats using CIS Benchmarks, driven IAM strategy enhancements using ABAC, closed high-severity penetration test findings in under 60 days, and authored policies aligned with NIST CSF, PCI DSS, FedLine, and HIPAA requirements. I've also contributed to HITRUST readiness efforts, optimized SIEM and EDR rules to cut false positives by 20%, strengthened firewall governance without disrupting operations, and translated complex requirements into controls leadership can adopt with confidence.

What sets me apart is how I think about security: it isn't just controls — it's behavior, culture, and trust. My early background in animal behavior and wildlife management taught me to read patterns, anticipate resistance, and design systems people will actually follow. That lens shapes how I approach adoption, change management, and building programs that reduce risk while respecting how organizations really operate.

I'm also a military spouse who has rebuilt my career multiple times across different states. That experience gave me adaptability, reinvention under pressure, and the ability to deliver results in ambiguous, resource-constrained environments; strengths that translate directly into effective security engineering.

Outside of work, I serve as a Chapter Lead for MilSpouse Coders, delivering global workshops that empower military spouses in tech. I'm active in ISACA, ISSA, WiCyS, AFCEA, the Women's Society of Cyberjutsu, and Women in Trust. I believe security is strongest when it enables people, fosters resilience, and scales for tomorrow's risks; not just today's compliance deadlines. If you're building security programs that need both technical rigor and human insight, let's connect.

Get in Touch

Feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn.