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Designing usable, trustworthy security systems

Designing usable, trustworthy security systems
Designing usable, trustworthy security systems

Cybersecurity experience at scale

Cybersecurity experience at scale

Cybersecurity experience at scale

My role:
Research and discovery
UX and UI design
Product direction and experience strategy
Design leadership, coaching, and mentoring
Design leadership, coaching, and
mentoring
Close collaboration with product, engineering, and security stakeholders
Close collaboration with product,
engineering, and security stakeholders

Certain details have been omitted to respect confidentiality.

I’ve led and contributed to multiple cybersecurity initiatives across enterprise security platforms, partnering with organizations including Nuspire, 1898 Burns & McDonnell, Kudelski Security, Cyderes, and Secure Passage. Across these engagements, my focus was designing usable, trustworthy security experiences—balancing threat intelligence, infrastructure protection, and operational complexity with clarity and effectiveness.

A consistent priority was improving how security insights are communicated between analysts and customers, helping users better understand risk, system status, and recommended actions.

1898 Burns & McDonnell: Managed security service platform

1898 Burns & McDonnell: Managed security service platform

1898 Burns & McDonnell: Managed security service platform

Context

1898 Burns & McDonnell launched its first subscription-based MSSP platform to support critical infrastructure clients with real-time security monitoring. Prior to this, communication relied heavily on email, making it difficult for clients to understand current threats, service status, and next steps.

Approach

I partnered closely with product and engineering to define a centralized platform that replaced fragmented communication with real-time visibility. My role leaned heavily into design leadership and coaching, guiding an emerging designer through enterprise discovery, complex interaction design, and cross-functional collaboration while maintaining a high quality bar.

This was one of those projects where I took on a coaching role, more than UI production work. I guided an emerging product designer with no prior experience in enterprise products. I led her through discovery, collaboration with development teams, and UX interaction design, helping her deliver and build confidence and skills in a complex environment.

Outcomes

  1. Real-time security visibility: Clear, scannable visualizations allowed users to quickly assess risk and prioritize action

  2. Improved analyst–client communication: Live updates replaced email chains, reducing confusion and response time

  3. Familiar interaction patterns: A dual-panel layout and consistent navigation minimized learning curves

  4. Clear information hierarchy: Incident details surfaced critical data first, supporting faster decisions

  5. Iterative delivery: Incremental releases and thoughtful UX writing improved usability over time

PRODUCT DEMO - MVP
problem framing
Developing the solution

Proprietary advanced threat modeling and security program

Proprietary advanced threat modeling and security program

Proprietary advanced threat modeling and security program

The challenge

The initial version of Nuspire’s platform was built with a strong technical focus, making it difficult for customers to understand their security program and progress. With limited backend changes possible, the goal was to improve usability and introduce stronger product thinking within a short engagement.

The challenge

I worked closely with Nuspire’s Head of Product and engineering team in a 16-week engagement to coach on user-centered design while delivering tangible UX improvements.

Key outcomes

  1. Simplified assessment flow: Redesigned questionnaires reduced friction and improved completion

  2. Clearer program overview: Improved information architecture made it easier for users to understand their security posture and available services

  3. Pragmatic delivery: UX improvements were implemented with minimal backend changes, enabling rapid impact

PRODUCT DEMO - MVP
problem - solution
problem - solution

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