Keith Brautigam is an IT and cybersecurity professional with significant experience in identity and access management. His career began in systems administration and later evolved into senior leadership roles, including serving as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Interim Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Penn State University. His work has centered on cybersecurity, IT modernization, access management, compliance, and the improvement of technology services across organizations.
Keith was born in San Diego, California, and moved to the East Bay Area of San Francisco when he was two years old. His first exposure to technology came through friends whose families had early Amiga and Atari computers. He initially enjoyed computers for video games, but his interest soon expanded into learning how to improve system performance and create a better gaming experience.
His family later moved to Iowa City, Iowa, while Keith was in high school. He went on to study Communication and Media Studies at the University of Iowa. During his education, he also had the opportunity to study abroad in Mérida, Venezuela.
After completing his degree, Keith entered a difficult IT job market following the collapse of the 1990s eCommerce bubble. He moved to the Research Triangle in North Carolina and took a supervisory position at a Borders bookstore. Although the job was not the career he had originally expected, he found the customer service and supervisory training he received there valuable.
He later returned to Iowa City for a visit and unexpectedly received an offer to work at the medical research center where he had previously worked as a student. He accepted a position as an IT Systems Administrator, which became an important step in defining his future career.
In that role, he saw the increasing importance of IT compliance and data security, especially as HIPAA regulations took effect. He managed secure systems used in clinical and research environments, particularly for lung imaging. His work supported researchers studying diseases such as emphysema and working toward possible cures.
After several years, he pursued a new challenge and moved into higher education. He joined a research administration team that was modernizing internal processes and shifting operations to online systems. This work introduced him to Agile SCRUM software development practices and gave him experience with newer web technologies.
His skills later attracted the attention of the University of Iowa's central IT department, where he was recruited to join the Identity and Access Management (IAM) team.
His career continued to progress, and in 2014, Keith Brautigam, CIO, was recruited into a management role at Penn State University. Over the years that followed, he received several promotions, moving from Manager to Director, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), and Deputy CIO. In 2023, he was appointed Interim Chief Information Officer (CIO), taking responsibility for leading the university's information technology enterprise.
During his tenure, Keith also 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 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 implementing the university's cybersecurity strategy while leading initiatives to improve security across the organization.
One important initiative was Shields Up, which implemented CISA best practices to strengthen protection for the university's network, devices, and business email systems.
As Deputy CIO, Keith led the reorganization of Penn State's 600-person central IT department. The effort focused on aligning services with key stakeholders and improving the span of control. He also led the implementation of a new Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) product that strengthened security while saving the university $500,000 annually.
Another major achievement was the modernization of the Web Single Sign-On platform using Microsoft Entra ID. The project moved over 500 applications away from a legacy platform in just 12 months.
During his tenure as CIO, Keith also oversaw the implementation of an enterprise Identity Governance system. The system improved role-based access control while streamlining service provisioning and managing 1.2 million user accounts.
At the end of 2023, Keith relocated to the Denver Metro Area to live near family. In March 2024, he joined Hunter Douglas, a leader in window coverings and architectural products in Broomfield, Colorado.
He served as the Global Cybersecurity Director of Identity and Access Management. His role involved quickly establishing an IAM program that covered strategy, staffing, and software. He led the aggressive implementation of a leading Identity Governance and Administration system across North America and EMEA to replace legacy systems and support compliance with SOX regulations.
Keith also helped design a solution architecture for global access management, including privileged account management, unified single sign-on, and privileged remote access. He worked with IT and business leaders to improve the security of critical HR and finance systems while meeting complex regulatory controls across multiple countries.
His responsibilities also included supporting the launch of a business-critical B2B service based on Salesforce with complex security requirements. He led a team consisting of full-time staff, contractors, and implementation partners.
Following his tenure at Hunter Douglas, Keith Brautigam of Penn State transitioned to Radiology Partners in 2025, continuing his focus on IAM Strategy.
Portfolio 1: https://keithabrautigam.com/
Portfolio 2: https://keithbrautigamcio.com/
The Mental Health Benefits of Regular Exercise
How Daily Walks Boost Mental Clarity and Emotional Processing
The Role of Organizational Leadership in IT and Cybersecurity
Leading the Charge in Identity and Access Management
Reaching New Heights with Indoor Gym Climbing
Getting Lost in the Worlds of Epic Fantasy
Keith Brautigam Explores the Endless Possibilities of Science Fiction