Guiding your business to ISO 27001 certification, NIS2 compliance, and PCI-DSS readiness, without disrupting growth.
Gabriele Ilardi — Cloud Security Specialist & Cyber Security Consultant. Led ISO 27001 ISMS certification for a European energy group and secured mission-critical cloud workloads for banking, fintech/payments, and enterprise infrastructure.
Gabriele Ilardi
Cyber Security Specialist @ Atlante | Ex-Accenture
Engineering rigor, compliance, and enterprise security
Bridging cyber risk governance (ISO 27001, NIS2) with cloud architecture and secure digital platforms, grounded in engineering rigor and measurable outcomes.
Cybernetic Engineering Mindset
Graduated 110/110 cum laude in Cybernetic Engineering from the University of Palermo. Combining distributed systems, machine learning, blockchain, and IoT to architect resilient, self-healing, and scalable infrastructures.
The Rehearsal Mindset (Classical Guitar)
Academic Classical Guitar training at the Conservatory. The "rehearsal mindset" drives attention to detail, calm resilience under pressure, and harmonious cross-functional coordination.
Enterprise Field Experience
From managing Palo Alto NGFW enterprise clusters on GCP for a major European banking group and public-sector AWS microsegmentation at Accenture, to leading ISO 27001 certification and Cloud Security at a European energy group.
Territory: Milan & Sicily
Operating in the heart of Milan's business ecosystem, with the authenticity and roots of Castellammare del Golfo (Sicily). Available hybrid and remotely.
"Classical guitar performance requires deep attention to detail, focus under pressure, and mastery of complex pieces. In cybersecurity and systems engineering, I apply the same approach: verified configurations, analytical clarity during incidents, and seamless alignment between technology and business processes."
Systems engineering, cloud architecture, and security
From AWS/GCP cloud architectures and infrastructure hardening to secure-by-design web platforms: verified technical expertise across every layer.
Cybersecurity, Governance & Audit
From regulatory compliance to proactive defense operations.
- End-to-end ISO/IEC 27001 certification achievement & audit readiness
- NIS2 European Directive readiness & information security controls compliance
- PCI-DSS v4.0 compliance & Cardholder Data Environment (CDE) protection
- Operational Threat Hunting mapped against MITRE ATT&CK framework
- Purple Teaming, attack simulation and Breach & Attack testing
- Incident Response, Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity planning
- Secure SDLC with shift-left security gates (SAST, DAST, SCA, container scan)
Cloud Architecture & Security (AWS / GCP)
Resilient, scalable, and zero-trust architectures on AWS and Google Cloud.
- AWS Cloud Security: GuardDuty, WAF, Security Hub, Inspector, Config
- KMS & Cryptography: BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) aligned with FIPS 140-2
- Palo Alto Next-Generation Firewall clusters on Google Cloud Platform
- Enterprise identity federation: AWS Cognito, SAML, OAuth2, OIDC, MFA
- VPC Networking: Transit Gateway, microsegmentation, NACLs and Security Groups
- Automated OS patching and compliance via AWS Systems Manager (SSM)
System Administration & Server Hardening
Solid enterprise administration for Linux, Unix, and Windows Server.
- Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, RedHat/CentOS) & Windows Server administration
- Operating system hardening following CIS Benchmarks standards
- User access management, Active Directory, IAM and Principle of Least Privilege
- Maintenance automation, encrypted offsite backups, and disaster recovery
- Centralized logging and telemetry (CloudWatch, CloudTrail, Syslog)
- Virtualization, on-premise datacenters, and hybrid cloud migrations
Network Engineering & DNS Management
Strict traffic control, routing, perimeter defense, and bulletproof DNS.
- Advanced perimeter firewalls (AWS Network Firewall, Palo Alto Networks)
- Authoritative DNS record architecture & management (Route 53, Cloudflare, BIND)
- Email protection: SPF, DKIM, DMARC enforcement against spoofing & phishing
- Secure VPN tunneling (Client VPN, Site-to-Site IPsec, WireGuard)
- Reverse proxy & load balancing setup (Nginx, Traefik, AWS ALB)
- Network microsegmentation preventing internal lateral movement
Web Platforms & Digital Solutions
Bespoke high-converting websites, fast web apps, and secure APIs.
- High-performance modern web apps (React, Vite, Tailwind CSS)
- Secure-by-design architectures mitigating OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities
- Full regulatory compliance: GDPR 2021 cookie banner, secure checkout workflows
- Certified payment gateway integrations (Stripe Hosted Checkout, PayPal)
- Advanced technical SEO, Schema.org rich snippets & Core Web Vitals optimization
- Direct automated WhatsApp consultation and client onboarding flows
DevSecOps & Automation Scripting
Seamless security automation embedded directly into CI/CD release cycles.
- Container security for Docker and Kubernetes clusters
- Secure CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI) with shift-left gates
- Advanced Python and Bash scripting for system automation
- Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation) with policy-as-code
- Automated secrets management and SSL/TLS certificate rotation
- Software Supply Chain security & third-party dependency scanning
Enterprise security, compliance, and cloud engagements
Field-tested architectures and governance models in mission-critical environments. In accordance with Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA), company names and sensitive details are anonymized.
Achieving ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certification for Cloud & IoT Infrastructure
From initial risk assessment and policy definition to passing the third-party certification audit with zero major non-conformities.
The Challenge & Context:
The organization was rapidly scaling international IoT charging fleets connected to AWS microservices. It lacked a formalized, documented Information Security Management System (ISMS), which was required to qualify for institutional tenders and critical infrastructure partnerships.
The Solution & Method:
Defined the ISMS scope, conducted comprehensive risk assessments across IT assets, customer data, and vendor supply chain per ISO/IEC 27005. Authored the full ISMS policy hierarchy (Risk Treatment Plan, Statement of Applicability, Incident Response Playbooks). Enforced technical controls across AWS IAM least privilege, KMS envelope encryption, and vulnerability management.
Measurable Outcomes Achieved:
AWS Multi-Account Micro-Segmentation and Hardening for Sensitive Data
Architectural refactoring of a mission-critical cloud estate to isolate dev, test, and prod workloads according to national security regulations.
High-Availability (HA/DR) Palo Alto NGFW Clusters on Google Cloud Platform
Deep packet inspection of interbank transaction traffic with sub-second automated failover.
Have a similar challenge in your infrastructure?
Let's evaluate your scope, compliance mandates, and architecture in an exploratory 30-minute discovery call.
Security Advisory, Digital Platforms & Cloud Infra
From ISO 27001, NIS2 & PCI-DSS compliance to Linux sysadmin, AWS cloud infrastructure, and secure web engineering: definite deliverables, transparent scopes, and predictable investment.
ISO 27001 & NIS2 Fast Gap Assessment
Rapid AS-IS assessment, non-compliance identification, and actionable roadmap.
SMEs and scaleups planning compliance milestones or enterprise RFP readiness.
- Comprehensive gap analysis against ISO/IEC 27001 and European NIS2 Directive
- AS-IS security posture assessment across governance, cloud, and operations
- Initial Risk Register with severity ranking and treatment options
- Technical implementation roadmap with effort and resource estimations
Complete ISO/IEC 27001 Certification Path
ISMS design, SoA drafting, internal audit, and accompaniment through accredited certification.
Companies requiring accredited certification for enterprise clients or regulatory mandates.
- End-to-end design and deployment of accredited ISMS (SGSI)
- Statement of Applicability (SoA), security policy catalog, and standard operating procedures
- Certification boundary definition and asset inventory classification
- Execution of mandatory internal pre-certification compliance audit
- Active representation and technical support during Stage 1 and Stage 2 registrar audits
NIS2 European Directive Compliance
Implementation of mandatory technical controls per Art. 21 and supply chain risk governance.
Regulated entities in critical sectors and strategic supply chain IT vendors.
- Entity classification (essential/important) & CSIRT incident notification workflows
- Implementation of technical-organizational risk management controls and encryption
- Supply chain cyber security governance and third-party vendor due diligence
- Operational resilience planning (Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, immutable backups)
- Mandatory cyber governance training sessions for Executive Board and staff
Fractional CISO / vCISO Retainer
Ongoing strategic cyber security leadership and compliance supervision without full-time overhead.
Growing companies needing senior security leadership for audits and B2B deals.
- Continuous supervision of corporate security posture and Risk Register
- Periodic executive reporting on risk and compliance to Management and the Board
- Annual internal audit and continuous ISO/IEC 27001 ISMS surveillance
- Technical ownership of enterprise customer security questionnaires and RFPs
- Lead technical coordination for incident triage and security anomalies
AWS Security Quick Assessment
Focused cloud security review: IAM Least Privilege, network exposure, encryption & logs.
Teams running AWS workloads preparing for production releases or security audits.
- IAM configuration audit, Least Privilege posture, MFA enforcement, and cross-account roles
- Network segregation inspection (VPCs, Security Groups, NACLs, routing, and WAF)
- KMS encryption posture, S3 bucket exposure, and cryptographic key management
- Logging telemetry audit (CloudTrail, GuardDuty, VPC Flow Logs centralization)
- Prioritized executive report with actionable step-by-step remediation guide
AWS & GCP Cloud Hardening (Implementation)
Hands-on architectural remediation, Zero Trust network segregation, and BYOK KMS encryption.
Production cloud infrastructures processing sensitive data or critical enterprise workloads.
- VPC micro-segmentation, private subnets, and application firewall routing
- AWS KMS implementation with BYOK workflows and FIPS 140-2 HSM compliance
- Deployment and rule tuning for AWS WAF, Shield, GuardDuty, and Security Hub
- Hardening of container runtimes and Kubernetes/ECS clusters with least-privilege IAM
- Infrastructure as Code (Terraform) templates for reproducible secure deployments
Authoritative Email Security (DMARC p=reject)
Active domain protection against spoofing and phishing (DMARC p=reject) with inbox deliverability optimization.
Companies wanting to protect brand reputation, eliminate CEO fraud, and guarantee inbox delivery.
- DNS posture audit and discovery of all authorized sending servers and SaaS tools
- SPF record configuration and 2048-bit DKIM cryptographic signature alignment
- Progressive DMARC enforcement rollout from monitoring (p=none) to strict rejection (p=reject)
- DMARC aggregate XML reporting setup for real-time spoofing attempt monitoring
- Deliverability and spam-filter verification across major enterprise mail providers
External & Cloud Vulnerability Assessment
Targeted assessment of internet-facing assets with manual false-positive triage.
Periodic verification of external attack surface or customer security questionnaire requirements.
- Definition and signing of formal Rules of Engagement (RoE)
- External attack surface discovery (public IPs, exposed ports, TLS configurations, web servers)
- Detection and cataloging of known CVE vulnerabilities and configuration flaws
- Manual verification to eliminate false positives and contextualize real business impact
- Detailed technical report with CVSS scoring and prioritized fix recommendations
Security Awareness & Phishing Simulation
Practical social engineering defense training and specialized executive session for NIS2 compliance.
Companies fulfilling mandatory security awareness requirements under NIS2 and ISO 27001.
- Interactive employee awareness session covering real spear-phishing and social engineering tactics
- Specialized module: "Cybersecurity & NIS2 Legal Duties for Board of Directors & C-Suite"
- Design and execution of a controlled simulated phishing test based on real business workflows
- Anonymized analytical report detailing click-through, submission, and reporting rates
- Pocket incident recognition checklist and response guide for employees
Do you have a unique challenge or complex stack?
Describe your infrastructure, legacy system, or specialized requirement: I will assess feasibility, provide a tailored Statement of Work, or refer you to trusted specialized partners.
All indicative prices are net of VAT and strictly intended for commercial entities (B2B). A formal binding quote and Statement of Work (SOW) are issued following an exploratory 30-minute discovery session.
A transparent, structured, and predictable delivery process
From initial scoping to third-party audit completion or production deployment: every stage is governed by clear milestones, documented deliverables, and agreed budgets.
1. Discovery Call (30 min)
Complimentary exploratory session to evaluate business goals, cloud footprint (AWS, GCP, on-prem), and regulatory mandates (ISO 27001, NIS2, GDPR). Mutual NDA signed upfront.
2. Gap Assessment & Risk Analysis
Deep-dive technical review: cloud configuration audit, existing policy inspection, threat modeling, and gap identification against the target regulatory standard.
3. Statement of Work (SOW) & Roadmap
Detailed operational roadmap with prioritized milestones, RACI matrix, clear timelines, and transparent fixed-price or day-rate commercial terms.
4. Execution & Audit Co-Piloting
Hands-on technical implementation (cloud hardening, ISMS policies, controls rollout), staff training, and direct presence during third-party registrar audits.
Take the first step: schedule your discovery call
Let's evaluate your technical requirements and compliance timeline without upfront cost or commitments.
Scope your project or request a quote
No generic calculator algorithms: I evaluate your real infrastructure, compliance requirements, and business goals to draft an actionable Statement of Work.
Global Certifications & Professional Accreditations
All technical certifications are issued by accredited third-party authorities (AWS, Microsoft, Tinexta Cyber, AttackIQ, SkillFront) and are publicly verifiable on Credly and official ledgers.
AWS Certified Security – Specialty
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Tecniche di Threat Hunting
Tinexta Cyber
ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Associate
SkillFront
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
Microsoft
Copilot for Security Ninja Training
The Copilot Studio
Intermediate Purple Teaming
AttackIQ
Intermediate Breach & Attack Simulation
AttackIQ
Safeguarding the Supply Chain
AttackIQ
Foundations of Operationalizing MITRE ATT&CK
AttackIQ
Strategic Cybersecurity Management
AttackIQ
AWS Partner: Technical Accredited
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Security Analyst to Security Architect
Skillsoft
Learning How to Learn
Deep Teaching Solutions / Coursera
What colleagues and project leads say
Excerpts from professional recommendations received on LinkedIn across enterprise security, compliance, and cloud engagements.
TODO(gabriele): "Gabriele demonstrated exceptional ability in bridging ISO 27001 compliance rigor with our daily DevOps realities, steering our infrastructure to certification with zero major non-conformities."
Head of IT & Digital Operations
European Infrastructure Group
TODO(gabriele): "Analytical precision, deep mastery of AWS security posture, and the ability to resolve high-stakes architecture challenges with steady composure and executive clarity."
Senior Cloud & Security Architect
Enterprise Consulting Practice
Clear answers on contracts, compliance, and methodology
Key questions regarding project scope, contractual models, audit timelines, and operational practices.
NIS2 applies directly to entities with >50 employees or >€10M annual turnover operating in 18 regulated sectors (energy, transport, finance, healthcare, cloud/ICT, critical manufacturing, water, digital infrastructure). Furthermore, smaller SMBs are heavily affected if they act as critical supply-chain partners to essential entities. Our NIS2 Readiness Check and a 30-min discovery call can clarify your exact compliance requirements.
Have additional questions or need to evaluate a specific scenario?
Pick a convenient slot on my calendar for an exploratory discovery call.
Let's Discuss Your Project
Available for cybersecurity advisory, ISO 27001 / NIS2 compliance, cloud architecture, and secure-by-design digital platforms.
1. Schedule a Discovery Call (30 min)
The most direct way to discuss scope, timeline, and feasibility. Pick a convenient date and time on Google Meet.
2. Request a Detailed Proposal
Prefer defining requirements upfront? Select desired services and company scale in the quote module.
Advisory and technical architecture engagements are structured through scheduled sessions, milestone sprints, and continuous asynchronous coordination.