Cybersecurity · IBM Z · Financial Services

Securing the systems
the world runs on.

I’m Marco Cruz-Martinez, a cybersecurity specialist who turns complex security technology into clear strategies, working demonstrations, and measurable client outcomes.

Explore my work View expertise

01 / EXPERIENCE

A career built from
the technology up.

Marco Cruz-Martinez

I bring a builder’s perspective to cybersecurity: understand the system, prove the technology, and make the value clear.

IBM

Current chapter

ADVISORY SECURITY TECHNICAL SPECIALIST · FINANCIAL SERVICES

IBM Z Security

Advise major financial institutions on securing mission-critical IBM Z environments. I lead technical evaluations, demonstrations, workshops, and proof-of-concept engagements spanning identity, compliance, threat detection, cryptography, and secrets management—connecting deep platform capabilities to practical security strategy.

  • Lead client engagements across zMFA, zSecure, threat detection, HashiCorp Vault, and cryptographic modernization
  • Partner with clients to shape IBM Z security evaluations and resolve technical blockers across teams
  • Build demonstrations, quick-start materials, and hands-on labs that make complex capabilities usable
  • IBM 100% Club member for three consecutive years, 2023–2025
  • Three-time IBM TechXchange lab instructor, 2023–2025

Vanguard Integrity Professionals

Foundation

QUALITY ASSURANCE → SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT · SIEM SECURITY ENGINEERING

From testing fixes to building security software

Built my mainframe security foundation through quality assurance and software development. I tested product fixes and PTFs, created repeatable validation scripts for the three major external security managers, and later developed tooling and Splunk applications that turned security data into usable results.

  • Performed functional, regression, and integration testing for product fixes and PTFs
  • Wrote automated test scripts for RACF, ACF2, and Top Secret environments
  • Reproduced defects, validated corrections, and worked with developers to improve release quality
  • Developed and tested Splunk applications for mainframe security monitoring and analytics
  • Built Python tooling around Splunk’s AppInspect API and converted validation results into actionable reports
PythonSplunkRACFACF2Top SecretPTF testingQA automation

02 / EXPERTISE

Deep technical range.
Clear business focus.

Security programs succeed when architecture, operations, and people move together.

01

IBM Z Security

Security architecture, RACF, compliance, threat detection, cryptography, and privileged access across mission-critical environments.

02

Identity & Access

MFA, OIDC, SSO, identity modernization, and practical controls designed around real enterprise workflows.

03

SIEM & Detection

Splunk application development, security analytics, audit data, alerting, and translating telemetry into actionable detection.

04

Technical Enablement

Hands-on labs, client workshops, conference sessions, technical demonstrations, and repeatable learning experiences.

Platforms & technologies
z/OSIBM ZLinuxONERACFSplunkHashiCorp VaultOIDCSMP/Ez/OSMFRHOCP

03 / FEATURED VIDEOS

Security concepts,
made practical.

Short technical demonstrations showing how IBM Z security capabilities work in real operational scenarios.

01IBM VIDEO
Alerting · zSecure

How to send zSecure Alerts to a cell phone

Watch recording
02IBM VIDEO
SIEM · Audit

SIEM Integration With zSecure Audit

Watch recording
03IBM VIDEO
Controls · zSecure

zSecure Command Verifier

Watch recording

04 / RECOGNITION

Recognized for impact.
Committed to learning.

Technical depth matters most when it can be shared. I create learning experiences that help practitioners move from understanding a concept to applying it confidently.

Three-Time Lab InstructorIBM TechXchange 2023–2025 · Client workshops · Customer councils
IBM Golden Circle

2025 recognition for exceptional impact

IBM 100% Club

Met or exceeded 100% of annual quota, 2023–2025

HashiCorp Certified

Vault Associate

CompTIA Security+

Core cybersecurity certification

Splunk Certified Admin

SIEM platform administration

THE WORK AHEAD

Building trust into the
next generation of systems.

Focused on mainframe security, agent identity, modern authentication, and the controls enterprises need to adopt emerging technology with confidence.

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