CV

Mashal Buhamad
Cybersecurity Consultant | Strategic Advisor | AI & Infrastructure Security Expert
Email: [email protected] | Phone: –
Website: www.mbuhamad.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mashal-buhamad-7b6774275/
Nationality: Kuwaiti

Professional Summary
Independent cybersecurity consultant with 25+ years of experience spanning government, critical infrastructure, and private sector engagements. Former Head of Cybersecurity Committee at Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy (MEWRE), where I led national-level OT/ICS security initiatives and contributed to drafting Kuwait’s first national cybersecurity policy.

I specialize in critical infrastructure protection, AI-driven security, red teaming, and multi-layered defense strategies — always with a vendor-agnostic, results-driven approach. Recently, I have focused on developing Threat Atlas, a self-hosted threat intelligence and defense platform that integrates firewall automation, geolocation-based attack mapping, and AI-driven enrichment.
Recognized as a regional thought leader, I contribute to international cybersecurity dialogues, including Atlantic Council workshops, GCC coordination forums, and global conferences. My work bridges technical depth with strategic vision, helping organizations strengthen resilience in the face of evolving cyber and AI-driven threats.

Core Competencies
– Threat Detection & Response (SIEM, EDR, NDR)
– OT/ICS Cybersecurity Strategy & Resilience
– Threat Intelligence & Attack Surface Monitoring
– Vulnerability & Risk Management
– Incident Response & Digital Forensics
– Cloud & Network Security Architecture
– Red Teaming & Penetration Testing
– Cybersecurity Governance & Policy Development
– AI in Security Operations & Defense Systems
– Public-Private & International Cyber Coordination
– Capacity Building & Team Mentorship

Education
– B.S. in Computer Engineering, University of the Pacific, California, USA – Dec 1999
Focus: Microprocessor Design, Telematics
– Master of Business Administration (MBA), Maastricht Business School, Kuwait – Mar 2008
Thesis: The Effect of Tariffs on Fixed-line Communication in Kuwait
Relevant Coursework: Strategic Planning, IT Management, Risk Management

Certifications
– PMP – Project Management Professional, PMI
– Certified Computer Engineer – Order of Engineers, California, USA
– Certified Alcatel ADSL Installation Engineer – Paris, France
– Certified SDH Installation & Commissioning Engineer – Genoa, Italy
– Continuing Education & Research
– NATO Network Security Course – NATO-ICI Regional Centre, Kuwait
– Cybersecurity Coordination & Capacity Building – US Embassy, Kuwait
– Advanced Malware Analysis (Remote)
– Ongoing AI & LLM Infrastructure Experimentation – Private Research & Lab Projects
– Practical Development of Threat Atlas (2024–present)

Professional Experience
Independent Cybersecurity Consultant | 2025 – Present
– Founder and architect of Threat Atlas, a multi-layered cyber defense platform for governments, MSSPs, and enterprises.
– Advising on AI-related security risks, including LLM data leakage and adversarial AI.
– Supporting regional and international organizations with threat modeling, SOC design, and OT/ICS defense.
– Moderated and spoke at high-level panels on AI, digital sovereignty, and cyber resilience (Morocco 2025, Cyber Revolution Summit Kuwait, etc.).

Ministry of Electricity, Water & Renewable Energy (MEWRE), Kuwait
Head of Cybersecurity Committee – JDCC Control Center | Jul 2014 – Jan 2025
– Directed MEWRE’s cybersecurity transformation, reducing incidents by 15% in year one.
– Established and mentored Kuwait’s first dedicated OT/ICS cybersecurity team.
– Oversaw deployment of SIEM, EDR, DLP, and NDR platforms.
– Designed red-team simulations and incident response frameworks.
– Spearheaded secure cloud adoption strategies for national systems.
– Contributed to Kuwait’s first national cybersecurity policy.
– Defended MEWRE against multiple advanced persistent threats (APTs) targeting OT networks.

Easa Hussain Al-Yousifi & Sons Co.
General Manager – Business Solutions & Services | SAP Project Manager | Jun 2007 – Jun 2014
– Directed large-scale SAP implementations aligned with corporate modernization strategies.
– Managed business continuity and IT risk frameworks.
– Bridged IT investments with long-term corporate strategy.

Qualitynet
Project Manager | Red Team Analyst | Mar 2000 – Jun 2007
– Managed national-level networking projects and performed red teaming.
– Conducted systemic vulnerability assessments that shaped resilience strategies.

Professional Affiliations
– Atlantic Council – Contributor on AI strategy & governance (Workshop II)
– GCC Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) – Former member, Cybersecurity Group
– Frequent panelist/moderator at regional & global cybersecurity events
– Personal Attributes
– Visionary leader with strong technical and policy insight
– Skilled in bridging hands-on defense with strategic governance
– Mentor committed to capacity building and knowledge sharing
– Advocate for ethical innovation and digital sovereignty